Dealing With Baby’s Gas Pains

How can I help my gassy baby?

Listening to your baby suffer through gas pains can be tough for just about anyone. But for the new parents who are already overtired, stressed out and frustrated, it can be especially difficult. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to give your baby some relief.

• Burping Baby: Feeding time can come with a lot of crying, gulping, guzzling and suckling, in other words, a lot of air that eventually manifests itself in the form of a burp or gas. Try being a little extra vigilant about burping your baby during and after a feeding to see if you can keep some of the gas at bay.
• “Bicycle” their legs: Put baby down on his/her back and move their legs in a bicycle motion. This puts a little pressure on their tummy that may move the gas through.
• “Tummy Time”: Give baby regular periods of adult-supervised time on their tummies. This is good for their head and neck development, and will also help move gas bubbles.
• Carry them around: Carry the baby either in the “football hold” (holding baby lying down on your forearm, with their face cradled in your hand, legs straddling your elbow) or upright in a sling or carrier. This will put enough gentle pressure on their tummies to keep the gas moving.
• Infant massage: Put baby down on his/her back and massage their tummy with your fingertips, rubbing in small, gentle, clockwise circles beneath their ribcage and down to their diaper area.
• Use a gas aid: Always consult with your pediatrician before using any type of medications. You can try over-the-counter gas aids, such as simethicone or a natural homeopathic remedy, to break up the gas bubbles

If these ideas do not help or baby is getting worse, seek advice from your doctor. If you are worn out from caring for a fussy infant, find someone who can give you a short break. Try to remember this is a brief phase that will pass as their digestive system matures. Soon the crying will be replaced by smiles and happy cooing.

Struggling with baby’s gas pains or colic? Reach out to one of the healthcare professionals on our team for more personalized support for you and your baby.