Why Is My Newborn So Gassy? 10 Expert Doula Tips
You might be wondering why your baby is struggling with gas. Digesting food is a new skill for your baby’s body to learn. Being immature and new, your baby’s digestive system needs time to adjust
Whether they are eating from the breast or bottle, their little tummies are still sorting out this new “eating arrangement.” Up until now, they’ve gotten all the nourishment they need from you through the umbilical cord and placenta.
So, we must have patience and faith that everything will work itself out.
This adjustment can come with a few hiccups (sometimes literally).
Also, excess gas isn’t the only thing that may cause trouble.
There are a few additional reasons why your baby could be experiencing abdominal pain. If you’re trying to figure out if your baby is experiencing gas or another type of abdominal pain, consult your pediatrician for medical advice.
We know… It can be hard! Your precious baby is in pain, and you’re not sure how to fix it.
Here are a few signs that it may be gas:
Your baby is…
- Not sleeping well
- Not eating well
- Crying for an hour or more per day
- Squirming as if they feel uncomfortable (bringing legs up to their chest while they are fussy)
So, if this sounds like your baby…
We get it, you want your baby’s gas to go away ASAP!
Which is why we’ve put together ten doula tips for relieving newborn gas.
1. Hold Your Baby Upright After Feeding
Hold your baby in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes after a feed. This allows gravity to help them digest their food and gives time for the air bubbles to rise up and out of their system. If your baby seems to have a lot of gas you may try keeping them upright for up to 30 minutes. This is also especially helpful for babies that spit up a lot.
2. Try the Colic Carry
While doing the “colic carry,” lay your baby’s tummy down either over your lap or cradled on your forearm.
(I like to cradle them in my forearm for the added swinging motion)
Then, from that position, you can gently massage your baby’s back. This gentle pressure on their belly may help relieve gas or decrease fussiness.
3. Do Some Baby Bicycles
Lay your baby down on their back and move their legs in a bicycle motion.
Moving their legs in this motion can help to release any built-up gas. You can repeat this motion for as long as it takes to see your baby get some relief.
Extra bonus: Sometimes babies think it’s fun… and you just might get a smile.
4. Let Your Baby Spend Time on their Tummy
Tummy time is important because it helps your baby develop muscles for crawling and walking AND it also provides gentle pressure on their bellies to help relieve gas.
Before trying tummy time, make sure it’s been at least 20 minutes since their last feeding. Sometimes, tummy time can cause babies to spit up, especially newborns.
Tummy time doesn’t need to be too long. Start with short periods of time (1 – 3 minutes) and slowly increase the time as your baby becomes stronger, aiming for 10 – 15 minutes a couple times a day after a few months.
Most younger babies can’t handle tummy time for too long. As they grow older and develop more muscles, they will be able to do it for longer periods.
Lastly, make sure you keep a close eye on them during tummy time. It’s easy for babies to get in a face-down position, which can constrict their airflow.
5. Learn Early Hunger Cues
While each baby has their own unique mannerisms…
As a general rule, hunger cues are very similar from baby to baby.
Now, why should you listen to early hunger cues?
Because, when it comes to feeding your baby, it’s always better to be proactive. Your baby will tell you early on that they are hungry.
Early hunger cues are a lot like warning signs on your car’s dashboard. Your car isn’t going to break down right away… But there are signs that something is going to need attention soon. Same with early hunger cues.
Here are a few early hunger cues:
- Being more active and alert
- Licking or smacking lips together
- Sucking on hands, moving hands to mouth
- Head-turning
- Open and closing mouth a lot
It’s best not to wait until your baby is crying to feed them.
(We know it happens. That’s okay).
But, if you can help it, don’t treat crying as the main hunger sign. They likely gave you an early hunger warning before they started crying. Being proactive will allow them not to become distressed and swallow more air as a result of crying. Therefore, preventing excess gas build-up.
It’s a win-win!
6. Try Gas Drops
As always, be sure to consult your pediatrician before giving any gas drops to your baby. They’ll help you decide what is the best course of action.
Offering gas drops to your baby could be a great option for gas relief.
Infant gas drops contain simethicone, which is generally safe for babies. This substance works to break up gas bubbles in the intestinal tract. Follow the recommended dose on the bottle, which is usually no more than 20 mg, four times a day.
Make sure to stay away from any gas drops that contain sodium benzoate or benzoic acid. In larger quantities, these substances can be harmful to babies.
Keep in mind that what works for one may not work for all. So, if this doesn’t work to relieve gas for your baby, don’t worry. There are many other ways to help.
7. Implement Paced Bottle Feeding
The intention for paced bottle feeding is to allow the baby to set the pace for their feeding. Paced bottle feeding mimics the way babies feed at the breast. Babies have to work harder to get the milk out of the breast and eat more slowly than they would using a bottle. As a result they are more aware of feeling full, and this minimizes the chances of overeating, discomfort, tummy aches, etc. Paced feeding can help parents be more in tune with their babies signs and signals, minimizing gas and colic.
A brief “how to” on paced feeding:
- Hold the baby in an upright slightly reclined position, about a 45 degree angle, rather than flat.
- Allow the baby to draw the nipple into their mouth as opposed to pushing the nipple in. This allows the baby to determine when the feeding begins.
- Keep the bottle horizontal, vertical enough only to keep milk in the nipple.
- Allow the baby to have 2 – 3 sucks then pause by gently lowering the bottle to stop the flow of milk. Do not remove the bottle totally, just tilt it down to stop the flow. Pausing gives the baby a chance to swallow and control the flow of milk, as well as discourages the baby from guzzling during a feed. Repeat this drinking and pausing throughout the feeding.
- Allow the baby to decide when the feed ends. Your baby may indicate they are no longer interesting by turning their head or not pulling the nipple back after a pause.
Read more about Paced Bottle Feeding here and check out this video.
8. Control Airflow During Feedings
Some babies struggle with swallowing too much air during feedings whether on the breast or from a bottle. Swallowing air can cause extra gas build-up, resulting in a fussy, unhappy baby.
What can you do to fix this?
Adjust Breastfeeding Latch
During a breastfeeding session, a proper latch is the key to success. The components of a good latch are…
- You are comfortable and pain-free
- Baby’s lips turn out
- Baby’s mouth opens wide around your breast
- You hear and see swallowing
- Baby’s chin touches your breast
Following these tips should decrease the amount of air your baby swallows.
If you’re having trouble with achieving a proper latch, be sure to reach out for support. One of our certified lactation counselors will be available to help. We also recommend taking a breastfeeding class during pregnancy. Easier feedings can result in less gassy babies!
Adjust Bottle Feeding Airflow
If you bottle-feed your baby…
Here are a few tips for controlling airflow:
- Always do paced bottle feeding as discussed earlier
- Try anti-colic/anti-gas bottles and nipples
- Sit your baby more upright while feeding
- Don’t over-shake the bottle, creating more air bubbles
This will help limit the amount of air your baby swallows during a feeding.
9. Try a New Formula
When it comes to formulas they impact babies in different ways. So, if your baby has increased fussiness and seems to have excess gas…
You may want to try formulas not derived from cow’s milk:
- Lower-lactose formulas
- Protein hydrolysate-based formulas
- Whey or soy-based formulas
This is not guaranteed to relieve gas, but it could be something to try. Especially if nothing else has worked.
10. What About Your Diet While Breastfeeding?
There is limited research proving that certain foods in your breast milk will cause intestinal issues for your baby. Some babies might react to particular foods, but what bothers one may not bother another. Therefore, there is no special list of foods that you should avoid while breastfeeding. Most babies have no problem with anything that mom eats and even start to form a preference for some flavors which they can taste through your breastmilk. It is generally recommended that you eat whatever you like.
Unless you see a direct relationship between specific foods and the same reaction in your baby every time, there is no need to limit your diet. If you notice that each time you eat something your baby becomes fussy, try avoiding that food for a while and see what happens. Keep a close eye on patterns.
We do know that any foods containing cow milk protein are the most commonly reported food substance to cause gas and fussiness in infants. Some babies might experience a temporary intolerance to dairy in mom’s diet, but most will begin to tolerate cow milk proteins once they get older and move out of infancy.
Talk To Us
We’re always here for you if you need us. Because a new baby entering your life is exciting… but it can be overwhelming too. Let’s talk today. We can’t wait to hear from you!
