How to help newborns with gas

Cuddling a peacefully sleeping baby is how many parents and caregivers would prefer to spend the early months with their newborn bundle of joy. But the reality is that newborns can be fussy. And if they’re not hungry or tired, gas is likely the reason why.

Learning simple ways to alleviate gas symptoms can help make those first few months easier on everyone.

“It’s upsetting for new parents to see their little one uncomfortable but not know how to fix the problem,” says Katy Brown, PT, CNT, a certified neonatal physical therapist at Children’s Health℠. “Luckily there are some easy tricks beyond burping that every caregiver can use to help newborns with gas relief.”

How can you tell if your baby has gas?

Newborn fussiness doesn’t always have a clear cause. But if you’ve made sure your baby doesn’t need food, sleep or a diaper change, gas may be to blame.

Signs your newborn may be gassy include:

• Fussiness or restlessness. They might cry and squirm or lift their legs to their belly. They may also get red in the face when trying to push the gas out.

• Bloated and gurgling belly. Gas can cause an infant’s belly to make gurgling noises and be visibly swollen (distended).

• Spitting up, burping and passing gas. Newborns typically do all these things. But when they happen a lot, or spit-ups are forceful, it can be a sign of gas buildup.

“Figuring out what’s making a newborn fussy can be a frustrating guessing game for caregivers,” says Brown. “If you’ve ruled out other potential reasons and your baby is still visibly uncomfortable, introducing some gas relief techniques is a good next step.”

What causes gas in newborns?

Gas in newborns is primarily caused by two things:

1. Trouble processing food and gas. This can happen because newborns have digestive systems that are still maturing.

2. Swallowing extra air while feeding and crying. This swallowed air can build up in their bellies.

Less frequently, food sensitivities, overfeeding and not enough movement can also cause excess gas in babies.

“When newborns have gas issues, new parents – especially breastfeeding mothers – are quick to blame themselves,” explains Brown. “Although diet or other factors may have some impact, it’s important to remember that gas occurs naturally in all babies, and some are simply gassier than others.”

How to help newborns with gas relief at home

There are several ways you can help a newborn get rid of their gas, including burping, movement and massage.

Burping

Give your baby a chance to pause and burp both during and after a feeding. Lightly pat or stroke your baby’s back while they’re resting vertically over your shoulder.

Keep in mind that gassy babies may need more frequent burping.

Movement

Help your baby to move more by:

• Loosening their swaddle

• Moving their legs in a bicycling motion

• Pushing their legs up toward their body

• Encouraging movement of arms and legs during supervised tummy time

Massage

Gentle massage helps you bond with your baby and it also helps your baby relax. Try lightly massaging your baby’s belly in a clockwise direction to promote gas release.

Gas relief products

Gripe water and gas drops are considered common remedies for gas. But there is limited scientific evidence showing that they’re safe or effective.

If natural approaches don’t seem to be helping, talk to your pediatrician about other options.

How to help minimize gassiness in babies

As your newborn’s digestive system becomes fully developed, they’ll have an easier time processing food and gas. Most babies’ gas issues improve within a few months.

In the meantime, there are a few easy things you can do to help prevent your newborn from becoming gassy in the first place:

• Offer food early. Hungry babies who get upset while waiting to feed take in extra air when crying. They may also gulp their meal too quickly, causing them to swallow even more air. If it’s not possible to feed them right away, try giving them a pacifier until they can eat.

• Feed on a slight incline. If you keep your baby’s head above their stomach by feeding them in a slightly upright position, it can reduce how much air they swallow with their food.

• Improve breastfeeding methods. Make sure you have a good latch and get support from a lactation consultant if you need help.

• Improve bottle-feeding methods. If your baby takes a bottle, choose one with a shape and flow designed to reduce excess air intake. Prepare formula or milk by stirring rather than shaking the bottle. Then wait for the air bubbles to settle before feeding.

When to call a pediatrician

Nearly all babies experience gas discomfort at some point. And most of them will not need to see a doctor.

But, in some cases, extreme gassiness can cause pain and fussiness that it interferes with feeding and sleeping.

It’s time to contact your doctor if your baby:

• Is fussing and uncomfortable to a point where they aren’t getting enough food or adequate sleep.

• Is spitting up forcefully and does not seem to be gaining weight.

• Has a rash (it may be a sign of a food allergy).

• Has blood or mucus in their diaper.

If you're unsure if a fussy newborn needs to be seen by a doctor.

Get more expert advice on a variety of topics related to newborn care.

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