How to Help a Gassy Baby: Tips and Remedies Every Parent Needs to Know

As a new parent, it can be frustrating to see your baby struggling with gas. Gassiness in babies is a common issue that can cause discomfort, fussiness, and even sleepless nights. Finding remedies for your gassy baby is important so that both you and your fussy baby can get some much-needed relief and sleep.

Understanding the Problem

Gas in babies is a normal part of their digestive system, but excessive gas can be uncomfortable for them. When babies swallow air while eating or crying, it can lead to gassiness. Additionally, certain foods that breastfeeding mothers eat can influence their breast milk and cause their babies to be gassy.

Finding remedies for gassy babies is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it can help to alleviate your baby’s discomfort and fussiness. This, in turn, can help your baby sleep better and feel more content during waking hours. This can not only ensure that you get your needed rest as well but can also help you feel more confident and capable as a parent.

It’s important to remember that gassiness in babies is a common issue that can often be resolved with simple remedies. By understanding the problem and finding solutions, you can help your baby feel more comfortable and content.

Understanding Gassy Babies

Gas in babies is a common issue that can cause discomfort and fussiness. It’s important to understand what gas is and why it happens so that you can take appropriate steps to relieve baby gas and alleviate your baby’s discomfort. Additionally, many parents wonder if being gassy and having colic are the same thing.

What is Gas in Babies?

Gas in babies is the result of air that gets trapped in their digestive system. This air can come from a variety of sources, including swallowing too much air while eating or crying. As the air builds up, it can cause discomfort and make your baby feel bloated.

Why Does Gas Happen in Babies?

Gas is a normal part of the digestive process, but excessive gas can be uncomfortable for your baby. Several factors can contribute to gas in babies, including:

• Swallowing air while feeding or crying
• An immature digestive system
• An overabundance of certain types of bacteria in the digestive tract
• Certain foods are known for leading to more gas (whether eaten by the breastfeeding mom or later by the baby itself)

Is Being Gassy and Having Colic the Same?

Many parents wonder if being gassy and having colic are the same thing.

No, they aren’t the same. While gas can be the reason for colic, the words aren’t interchangeable. 

Colic is (in medical terms) pain that comes and goes, like waves, and is often associated with digestive and kidney diseases. It is usually accompanied by a strong discomfort and in the emergency room, I have seen quite often adult people collapse because of it. So I find it strange that in babies it is defined as: “excessive crying in an otherwise healthy baby that lasts for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for at least three weeks.” 

For me, it holds true, that if children cry, there is a reason, they just can’t always communicate it.

So let’s go back to the original question, while gas can contribute to colic, colic can also have other causes such as adjustments of an immature digestive system, acid reflux, or food allergies. 

And babies also sometimes just cry because they feel overwhelmed or are overtired. But soon you will be able to distinguish that from discomfort and if in doubt as long as they can’t tell you differently, crying means pain to me. 

So the best way to deal with it is to help and take steps to alleviate your baby’s discomfort. 

Causes of Gassiness in Babies

Gassiness in babies is a common issue that can cause discomfort and fussiness. While it’s a normal part of the digestive process, excessive gas can be uncomfortable for your baby. Several factors can contribute to gas in babies, including some foods and digestive factors.

Foods that Make Babies Gassy – the Breastfeeding Mother’s Diet

Breastfeeding mothers may find that specific foods they eat can cause their babies to be gassy. And later on, if your baby starts eating, it can be a problem, too. Foods that are known to cause gas in breastfed babies, include:

• Dairy products
• Cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower)
• onions
• Beans and legumes
• Spicy foods
• Citrus fruits
• Caffeine

If you notice that your baby seems particularly gassy after you eat particular foods, it may be helpful to avoid those foods or limit your intake. You may even try to keep a food diary and mark the days that are better or worse to find a pattern.

Factors that Contribute to Gas in Babies

In addition to dietary factors, several other factors can contribute to gas in babies. These include:

• Swallowing air while feeding or crying
• An immature digestive system
• An overabundance of certain types of bacteria in the digestive tract
• Formula intolerance

If your baby seems particularly gassy, it may be helpful to try different feeding positions or burp your baby more frequently during feeding. Additionally, if you are using formula, you may want to talk to your pediatrician about trying a different formula to see if that helps alleviate your baby’s gas. With bottle fed babies you can also try to change the bottle to reduce swallowed air.

In summary, gassiness in babies can be caused by a variety of factors, including food sensitivities and digestive factors. By understanding these causes, you can take steps to alleviate your baby’s discomfort, get rid of the gas bubbles and help them feel more content.

Home Remedies- How to Help Gassy Babies

If your baby is gassy, several home remedies may help alleviate their discomfort. From dietary changes for breastfeeding moms to burping techniques, there are many strategies you can try to help ease infant gas pains.

Diet Changes for Breastfeeding Moms

If you’re breastfeeding, certain food in your diet may be contributing to your baby’s gas. Consider eliminating or reducing your intake of dairy products, cruciferous vegetables, beans and legumes, and other gas-producing foods.

It’s also important to stay well-hydrated and to eat a balanced diet to ensure that your baby is getting the nutrients they need. You can find out if your diet has something to do with it by eliminating all the suspects and then bringing them in one by one a few days apart.

Burping Techniques

Burping your baby frequently during feeding can help release any trapped air and reduce their gassiness. Experiment with different burping positions to find one that works best for your baby. For example, you may find that gently patting or rubbing their back, or holding them in an upright position, helps release any trapped gas or bubbles.

Plan In Some Tummy Time

Tummy time is great, not only if your baby has gas, but also for building up strength in their back, them learning to hold their head properly and it is great for the digestive system, too. Changing up positions can be great for passing gas.

Infant Massage

Gently massage your baby’s tummy, this can help stimulate digestion and relieve gas. Use gentle, circular motions (clockwise) on your baby’s abdomen, or try to move their legs in a bicycling motion or slowly and gently pumping their legs to help move gas bubbles through their system.

Warmth

A warm bath or a heat pack/ hot-water bottle can help lessen the pain as it relaxes and has soothing qualities.

Try some Tea

Many teas have excellent calming qualities and are the go-to teas for babies for centuries. Most of all fennel and chamomile tea but also caraway. All of them are good for anything concerning the digestive system and have anti-inflammatory qualities as well. Always make sure to use boiling water for making the resulting tea safe for your little one.

Use of Gas Drops or Gripe Water

Lastly, there are over-the-counter gas drops or gripe water that can help break up air bubbles, and relieve your baby’s discomfort. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions carefully and talk to your pediatrician before giving your baby any medication.

Probiotics for Infants

If your baby has digestive issues regularly you can try probiotics, they are “good” bacteria that can help balance your baby’s digestive system and reduce its gassiness. You can find infant-specific probiotic supplements at most drugstores or health food stores, but you can also try out plain white yogurt if your baby is already old enough to eat. As with any supplement or medication, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotics.

You see, several home remedies can help alleviate gassiness in babies, from dietary changes to burping techniques and infant massage. 

When to Seek Medical Attention

While gassiness is a common issue in babies, some signs may indicate a more serious problem. It’s important to be aware of these signs so that you know when to seek medical attention.

Signs that Indicate a More Serious Issue

If your baby is experiencing severe or persistent gas pains, or if they’re showing other signs of discomfort or distress, it’s important to take them to see a pediatrician. Other signs that may indicate a more serious issue include:

• Difficulty feeding or loss of appetite
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Blood in the stool
• Unusual fussiness or crying
• Unusual touch-sensitivity of their abdomen
• Distended abdomen
• Poor weight gain or failure to thrive

If you notice any of these signs in your baby, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. After all, it is better to have been at your doctor’s unnecessarily than too late.

As a general rule, if you’re concerned about your baby’s health, feel uneasy, or have the feeling something is wrong trust your gut and follow your instincts. Mothers know their babies best. 

Medical professionals can help determine if there is an underlying cause of the gas pain and provide guidance on the best course of treatment. But they are no Psychics (at least in most cases 😉 ) and in many cases overworked humans, they can make mistakes too, so it is your duty as a parent to make sure nothing is dismissed as unimportant if you suspect differently.

Additionally, if you’re considering any over-the-counter medications, it’s important to talk to your doctor first to ensure that they’re safe for your baby. Especially if there are any known health issues, to make sure it won’t interfere with any other medications or treatments they may be receiving.

In conclusion, while gassiness is a common issue in babies, it’s important to be aware of the signs that may indicate a more serious problem. With the right care and treatment, most cases of gassiness in babies can be effectively managed.

Tips for Avoiding Gas in Babies – Summary

• Feed your baby slowly and burp them frequently during feedings. This can help prevent them from swallowing air while they’re eating.
• Try a different feeding position until you find the one that works best for your baby. Some positions can help prevent air from being swallowed while nursing.
• If you’re bottle-feeding, make sure the nipple is the right size and shape for your baby. A nipple that’s too small or too large can cause your baby to swallow air.
• Hold your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after feedings. This can help any trapped air to escape.
• Use gentle movements, such as rocking or swaying, to soothe your baby. This can help prevent them from becoming too fussy and swallowing more air.
• Make sure they enclose the entire nipple of the breast or bottle to prevent them from swallowing more air
• Avoid overfeeding your baby, as this can lead to excessive gas and discomfort.
• You may try dietary changes if you are breastfeeding or avoid some food if your baby is already eating. Note that not all babies are affected by the same foods, so it may take some trial and error.

Gassiness in babies is a common issue that can cause discomfort and fussiness. But, there are many home remedies and preventive measures that can be taken for baby gas, to help alleviate pain and keep your baby comfortable.

By following these tips and seeking medical advice when necessary, you can help alleviate your baby’s gas pains and keep them comfortable. Remember, every baby is different, and it may take some trial and error to find what works best for your little one. But with patience and persistence, you will get there and will be rewarded by a happy baby and a more laid-back everyday life.