Baby passes gas while feeding
Breastfed Baby Gas: Causes and Treatments
Growing up it may have seemed funny. As an adult, it’s something to hide. For a baby it’s sometimes a source of discomfort and pain. What is the answer to this riddle? Gas!
Many parents have daily struggles trying to get the gas out of their little one’s digestive system as their baby howls in discomfort. While the success of getting a good burp (or fart) can be satisfying, failure to help your little one feel better can be devastating.
As a parent, you want to do anything in your power to make your baby comfortable and keep them healthy. So, what can you do about breastfed baby gas? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place, and the answers you seek are below…
Before we go any further, it’s important to note that all babies (whether they are formula fed or breastfed) have immature digestive systems and will need help at some point with getting gas out of their system. So, you’re not doing anything wrong if your baby gets gassy.
However, if gas is causing discomfort it’s worth trying to identify and solve the problem. In order to minimize the problem of breastfed baby gas, you’re going to need to know more about the potential causes of it though.
One of the most common ways that babies get gas in their digestive system is by taking in excess air. This can happen when there is:
- Poor latch. If your baby doesn’t have a tight seal around the areola, air can get in along with the milk
- Issues with bottle feeding. Air in the nipple can be gulped with the milk.
- Crying. All that gasping can mean extra air is getting swallowed.
- Oversupply/strong letdown. The necessary quick gulping frequently includes some air!
Some gassiness in the form of farts may be more common when your little one begins to space out their bowel movements. There are a few things that may help if your baby is not pooping but passing gas.
You’ll probably hear a lot from people who believe that babies can get some of the gaseous effect from foods (think beans and broccoli!) that were consumed by their mother through breast milk.
Other people believe acidic foods and dairy products in the mother’s diet can increase gas for babies.
After all, these foods can have that effect on adults who have eaten them, right? However the elements of those foods that make them considered “gassy” for the person consuming them don’t pass through breast milk.
Some research from 2019 addressed this issue, noting that there is an ongoing belief that maternal diet leads to colic, although that conclusion is not well supported by the science.
No studies have reliably proven that cutting foods out from the mother’s diet can reduce gas or fussiness. In fact, research from 2017 found that many mothers restrict their diets unnecessarily and that there are no foods those breastfeeding should absolutely avoid.
If you intend to eliminate foods from your diet, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor first about your plan.
They may ask you to keep a detailed food journal, documenting what you’ve eaten and when your baby shows symptoms like gas, diarrhea, or fussiness.
If you find yourself with a breastfed baby that has a lot of gas, there are many different things you can try to help them feel better:
Burp frequentlyAdding a few extra burps to feeding times is typically an easy adjustment to make. You may also want to keep your little one upright after feeds for a bit to make it easier for them to burp.
Turn to tummy timeLying stomach down can help your little one to work the gas out. If your baby is not a huge fan of tummy time, you can also hold them in a “football hold.” This means laying them face down along your arm, and cradling the side of their head in your hand while their legs straddle your elbow.
Perform baby massage
You can massage your baby with and without oils and in any number of ways, but there are some specific massage patterns that may be particularly useful in helping gas pass through the digestive tract.
Interested in learning more? Read more here!
Bicycle their legs
All you need to do is lay your baby on their back and move their legs in the air like they are on a bicycle. Not only does this help to move gas along, but if your baby is constipated, this can help them poop.
Feed while baby’s upright
This can help your child to slow down a little while they drink. Check out the paced bottle feeding method if you haven’t already.
Check your latch
You’ve probably heard it a million times already, but for something so natural, breastfeeding takes a lot of work! Many moms spend a lot of time working with their baby to get a good latch, but the benefits of it really are worth it.
Try to reduce baby’s crying
When your baby cries, they may gulp in air. Unfortunately, if the crying leads to gas in their system, they’re probably going to want to cry more.
This can be a vicious cycle, so we encourage you to do work on soothing the tears.
Some soothing options include using a pacifier, swaddling, rocking, and swinging.
Consider over-the-counter remedies
Although the clinical evidence is lacking, many parents swear by gas drops or gripe water (or at least turn to one or both of these items as a last resort!)
Gripe water can involve any number of ingredients the manufacturer believes will soothe a baby’s tummy, such as fennel, ginger, and cinnamon. On the other hand, gas drops are medication designed to clump together gas bubbles in the stomach and make them easier to expel.
Before using any medications or supplements, you’ll want to discuss with your child’s doctor. It’s also important for parents to be on the lookout for allergic and other reactions after offering a baby either of these.
Watch for allergies and reactions to something you ate
In certain cases, if your little one is allergic or reacting to something you ate, removing that item from your diet may be the only way to solve this problem if you want to continue breastfeeding.
Indicators of allergies in babies can vary in intensity and are personal, but they’ll go beyond just gassiness. Typically food allergies will appear within a few hours of consuming the allergen. The most common symptoms are:
- hives
- rashes
- itching
- nausea/vomiting
- changes in bowel movements
- rarely, swelling of the tongue and throat (this is uncommon in babies, and is almost always due to a cow’s milk allergy)
One way to figure out whether something is related to an allergy is to look at the timing of the symptoms. Are they frequently occurring after eating? Are symptoms lasting longer than a week or two and coming and going?
If you have food allergy concerns, speak with your pediatrician.
As a parent, you want to help your child avoid unnecessary pain. Remember not to blame yourself if your baby gets gas every once in awhile though!
No matter how you try to avoid it, a little bit of gas goes with being a baby.
Often a few simple adjustments can improve and alleviate your breastfed baby’s gas.
If gas is really getting your baby down, don’t be scared to bring it up with their doctor. They can help you to understand if what your baby is experiencing is normal or if they might benefit from other resources and medications.
What To Know If Your Baby Farts A Lot
After your baby is born, there’ll be so many things you’ll be taking care of. Right from breastfeeding your baby, understanding their sleep schedules to changing diapers, there’s so much to do. And if you notice your little one starting to grunt, then that’s probably gas. You’ll be surprised to know that babies have an immature digestive system and so you don’t need to panic if your baby farts a lot. Read on to find out what to know if your baby farts a lot and what you can do to prevent excessive gas in their tummy.
What Causes Your Baby To Fart?
As a parent, it’s natural for you to worry if your baby is farting a lot.
But, remember that unlike mature children and adults, babies tend to swallow more air and that can cause the gas. It takes several months for your little one’s intestines to form the microflora they need in order to digest foods effectively. When it comes to breastfed babies, their farts tend to be less smelly compared to the ones who eat complementary food along with breastfeeding.
It takes time for your little one’s digestive systems to develop. That’s also why your baby farts a lot.
There are several reasons as to why your baby’s tummy creates gas. Here’s a list of causes to consider if your baby farts a lot:
Underdeveloped Digestive System
You need to remember that babies have underdeveloped digestive systems. Your little one’s muscles responsible for digestion are still in the developing stage. So, all the proteins and fats that they get from breastmilk and other foods take time to get digested.
As a result of this, your baby experiences gas and that causes them to fart. You might notice your little one squirming or crying excessively especially when they want to pass gas. Do keep in mind that this is a temporary problem and will reduce as your baby’s digestive system keeps developing.
Feeding Techniques
One of the key factors that can increase or reduce the gas in your baby’s tummy is your feeding techniques. Whether you’re breastfeeding or relying on bottle-feeding, you need to figure out the right technique to feed your baby. That’s when paced bottle feeding comes to the rescue as it makes your baby drink slower, reducing the chances of them taking in air.
When your baby swallows a lot of air, it causes excessive gas because of the air bubbles formed in their intestine. This happens when your little one isn’t able to latch properly. In order to prevent your little one from swallowing too much air, see to it that you hold their head above your breast when breastfeeding.
You can try switching between your breasts while feeding your baby. Otherwise, make sure that your baby is in a vertical position when you’re breastfeeding.
Also, keep in mind that the intestinal gas in your baby is caused due to the slow breakdown of lactose in their digestive system. That is what causes your baby to fart a lot. Another thing you must do to ease their discomfort is burping your baby after their feeding. That will help reduce the gas in their stomach.
Lack Of Sufficient Bacteria Flora
As mentioned earlier, your newborn baby doesn’t have enough bacteria flora that can help them to digest your breastmilk. After 4 weeks, most babies have a good amount of proteobacteria that are known to produce gas. Your baby can experience pain because of the gas caused by proteobacteria.
Naturally, your little one will tend to cry while farting excessively. That’s why it’s advised that newborn babies should be fed breast milk at least for the first 6 months after birth.
This helps them to digest the food properly as they start picking up good bacteria.
If your baby farts a lot it could also be because they’re allergic to some food.
Lactose Intolerance And Allergy
When it comes to gas, you need to be mindful about what you’re feeding your baby. If your baby has been having digestion problems and excessive farting, it can be because of food allergy and sensitivity. The whey or casein found in baby food is known to cause excessive farting in babies.
Let’s not forget that some babies are allergic to milk protein. If you notice your little one getting rashes, congestion of the chest or diarrhea, those can be counted as signs of allergy. Another sign you need to be aware of is your baby’s stool containing mucus, which can be because of milk protein allergy.
Sign And Symptoms Of A Gassy Baby
There’s nothing to worry about as long as your little one is passing gas comfortably.
But, if your baby is experiencing pain while farting, you need to consult your pediatrician or a doctor.
Here are some signs and symptoms of a gassy baby:
- Constant crying
- Bloating of the stomach
- Stretching out the body and arching the back
- Frequent burping throughout the day
- Clenching the fists
- Problems in urination
- Blood in stools
- Continuous vomiting
What Can You Do To Ease Your Baby’s Farts?
If your baby farts excessively, there are some things you can try to help them be at ease. Do keep in mind that flatulence affects most babies and can cause them a fair bit of discomfort. Here are some measures you can take to ease your baby’s farts:
Give Your Baby A Tummy Massage
One of the best things you can do for your baby is give them a nice tummy massage.
You can use a baby lotion or oil to gently massage your baby’s tummy. We suggest you do this after giving your little one a nice warm bath. This will help to get rid of the air trapped in your baby’s intestines.
Help Your Baby Burp
It’s important that you help your baby burp after feeding them. You can do that by gently rubbing your baby’s back after breastfeeding. Make sure that you don’t lay down your baby after feeding. The air that your little one swallows during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding can come out with burping, helping them rest or sleep better.
Get The Right Sized Bottle For Your Baby
Make sure that you get the correct sized bottle for feeding your baby. If yours is a newborn baby, see to it that you get a small bottle. As mentioned earlier, the risk of overfeeding your baby is more if you choose the wrong bottle for your little one. That’s why you need to check the nipple size of the bottle before you purchase one.
Baby Exercise
The best thing to do to get rid of the gas in your baby is by helping them exercise. You can try pedaling by holding your little one’s feet and moving them in a circular motion. Just make sure that your baby is flat on their backs on a firm surface. Otherwise, you can try stretching your baby’s legs and then bring them to either side of their hips. These movements will help get rid of the air trapped inside your baby’s intestines.
Helping your baby burp and do some exercise, can help ease your baby’s farts to some extent.
Conclusion
Farting is a natural way of releasing gas from the body, even for babies. Remember that every baby is different, so no one technique may help all babies especially when it comes to gas problems. In case your little one is experiencing a lot of discomfort and pain, see to it that you immediately consult your pediatrician. And if you’re worried about keeping a track of all your baby’s medical records, you can use our ImmunifyMe app and be at ease.
The best thing is that you can even keep digitized records of your baby’s immunization and vaccination records.
FAQs On What To Know If Your Baby Farts A Lot
Why Should I Worry About Baby Gas?
It’s normal for babies to have gas and fart excessively as their digestive system is still developing. But, if your baby experiences pain or discomfort while farting, then it can be a result of some digestive problems. That’s why it’s best to consult a pediatrician during such times.
What Can You Do If Your Baby Has Too Much Gas?
Here’s what you can do if your baby has too much gas:
- Give your baby a tummy massage
- Help your baby burp
- Get the right size bottle for your baby
- Help your baby exercise
Can Overfeeding Cause Gas In Babies?
When you overfeed your baby, they are not able to digest all of the proteins and fats from the milk. At the same time, your baby tends to swallow a lot of air that can create gas in the stomach and cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
That’s why it’s advisable that you get the right sized bottle for your baby when bottle feeding.
Is It Normal For Babies To Fart A Lot?
Gas and farting are natural for both babies and adults. But babies tend to fart a lot as their digestive system hasn’t completely developed yet. If your baby is farting a lot, you can help them to burp after feeding. Otherwise, baby exercise is also a great way to get rid of the air inside your little one’s intestines.
Gas in a newborn: causes, symptoms, treatment
PreviousNext
- Causes of flatulence in newborns
- Symptoms of flatulence in newborns
- Treatment of flatulence in infants
- What should not be done with flatulence in a child?
Contents:
One of the most common problems that young parents face is gas in their newborn. Flatulence in infants occurs almost always.
The crying and anxiety of the child become a real test both for him and for his mom and dad. And the only thing you have to think about is how to help your beloved baby and ease his suffering. nine0003
Causes of flatulence in newborns
In the intestines, gases are in the form of foam, which lines its walls, fills the lumen, and thereby reduces the absorption of food and disrupts digestion. In addition, foamy masses burst the intestinal loops from the inside, which leads to pain and discomfort in the child. Gaziki in a newborn (flatulence) is a common phenomenon. Why is this happening? There are several reasons for this.
Swallowing air while feeding. Swallowing a little air while feeding is normal. However, if breastfeeding incorrectly or while bottle feeding, a formula-fed baby may swallow too much air. nine0003
Good to know
How to feed a newborn? How to take care of a baby? The answers to these and other questions are at the Huggies Parents School.
Cry. When crying, the baby captures an excessive amount of air from the outside, which can also lead to gas in the baby.
Immature digestive tract. In children in the first months of life, due to the immaturity and imperfection of the gastrointestinal tract, an insufficient amount of enzymes is produced, as a result of which part of the food remains undigested, and it undergoes fermentation processes in the large intestine. And as a result of fermentation, a lot of gas is released. nine0003
Breastfeeding mother's diet. This reason is still debatable in the medical community. Domestic pediatricians are inclined to believe that it is the use by a woman of products that can potentially cause flatulence that is the main cause of gas in a newborn.
However, Western doctors are in no hurry to blame cabbage and bread for everything. At the moment, the most relevant approach is that there are indeed a number of foods that can lead to increased education: fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, legumes. And, if the mother experiences discomfort after using them, then the child can potentially. However, this does not always happen. In order to confirm the connection between gasses in a breastfeeding newborn and a certain product, it is recommended to exclude it from the diet of a nursing woman for three days and observe both her well-being and the behavior of the child. nine0003
Lactase deficiency. Due to the lack of the lactase enzyme, breast milk lactose is not completely broken down, lingers in the large intestine and becomes a breeding ground for various bacteria that cause fermentation processes.
Symptoms of flatulence in newborns
Baby gassies are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
Most often, the symptoms bother the baby in the evening, at about the same time.
Treatment of flatulence in infants
If there are gas in a newborn, how to help him? Unfortunately, it is difficult to completely rid the baby of increased gas formation, since we, adults, cannot change the physiology and accelerate the maturation of the baby's gastrointestinal tract. And it’s definitely impossible to answer the question of when the baby gas will pass. However, we can alleviate the symptoms.
If the baby is breastfed, check for correct grip. Sometimes after correcting this moment, the child becomes much easier. Recall that the baby should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola, and his chin should rest against the chest. Mom and baby should be comfortable when applying. When feeding, extraneous sounds should not be heard (“smacking”, “clattering”, etc.). nine0003
If the baby is formula-fed, pay close attention to how the baby suckles. The head should be above his tummy, the bottle should be raised so that air bubbles do not enter the baby's mouth.
In addition, there are special pacifiers that prevent excess air from entering the baby. Or you can just buy a slow flow pacifier.
Follow the advice to carry your baby in a post-feeding position. With gas in a newborn, this is one of the easiest methods to help a baby. Hold the baby upright for 10-15 minutes until burping occurs. If after that the excess air has not come out, put the child on the back for a couple of minutes, and then again swear vertically. nine0003
Lay on the stomach before feeding, do a gentle massage of the tummy between them. Simple movements in the form of adducting the legs or the “bicycle” exercise will additionally help rid the baby of the accumulation of gases.
What should not be done with flatulence in a child?
Today, it is not recommended to use special devices (gas tubes) to relieve symptoms, as the child gets used to "outside help" and does not learn to cope with the problem on his own. nine0003
There is a lot of controversy regarding drugs today.
There are different groups of drugs on the market, declared as anti-flatulence agents - probiotics, antispasmodics, herbal preparations. However, there are no large studies confirming the effectiveness of at least one of them. If you still decide to use them, be sure to consult with your pediatrician. What should be in a first aid kit for newborns - read here.
Content:
One of the most common problems that young parents face is gas in their newborn. Flatulence in infants occurs almost always. The crying and anxiety of the child become a real test both for him and for his mom and dad. And the only thing you have to think about is how to help your beloved baby and ease his suffering.
nine0003
Causes of flatulence in newborns
In the intestines, gases are in the form of foam, which lines its walls, fills the lumen, and thereby reduces the absorption of food and disrupts digestion. In addition, foamy masses burst the intestinal loops from the inside, which leads to pain and discomfort in the child. Gaziki in a newborn (flatulence) is a common phenomenon. Why is this happening? There are several reasons for this.
Swallowing air while feeding. Swallowing a little air while feeding is normal. However, if breastfeeding incorrectly or while bottle feeding, a formula-fed baby may swallow too much air. nine0003
Good to know
How to feed a newborn? How to take care of a baby? The answers to these and other questions are in the Huggies Parents School.
Cry.
When crying, the baby captures an excessive amount of air from the outside, which can also lead to gas in the baby.
Immature digestive tract. In children in the first months of life, due to the immaturity and imperfection of the gastrointestinal tract, an insufficient amount of enzymes is produced, as a result of which part of the food remains undigested, and it undergoes fermentation processes in the large intestine. And as a result of fermentation, a lot of gas is released. nine0003
Breastfeeding mother's diet. This reason is still debatable in the medical community. Domestic pediatricians are inclined to believe that it is the use by a woman of products that can potentially cause flatulence that is the main cause of gas in a newborn. However, Western doctors are in no hurry to blame cabbage and bread for everything. At the moment, the most relevant approach is that there are indeed a number of foods that can lead to increased education: fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, legumes.
And, if the mother experiences discomfort after using them, then the child can potentially. However, this does not always happen. In order to confirm the connection between gasses in a breastfeeding newborn and a certain product, it is recommended to exclude it from the diet of a nursing woman for three days and observe both her well-being and the behavior of the child. nine0003
Lactase deficiency. Due to the lack of the lactase enzyme, breast milk lactose is not completely broken down, lingers in the large intestine and becomes a breeding ground for various bacteria that cause fermentation processes.
Symptoms of flatulence in newborns
Baby gassies are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
Most often, the symptoms bother the baby in the evening, at about the same time.
Treatment of flatulence in infants
If there are gas in a newborn, how to help him? Unfortunately, it is difficult to completely rid the baby of increased gas formation, since we, adults, cannot change the physiology and accelerate the maturation of the baby's gastrointestinal tract. And it’s definitely impossible to answer the question of when the baby gas will pass. However, we can alleviate the symptoms.
If the baby is breastfed, check for correct grip. Sometimes after correcting this moment, the child becomes much easier. Recall that the baby should capture not only the nipple, but also the areola, and his chin should rest against the chest. Mom and baby should be comfortable when applying. When feeding, extraneous sounds should not be heard (“smacking”, “clattering”, etc.). nine0003
If the baby is formula-fed, pay close attention to how the baby suckles. The head should be above his tummy, the bottle should be raised so that air bubbles do not enter the baby's mouth. In addition, there are special pacifiers that prevent excess air from entering the baby. Or you can just buy a slow flow pacifier.
Follow the advice to carry your baby in a post-feeding position. With gas in a newborn, this is one of the easiest methods to help a baby. Hold the baby upright for 10-15 minutes until burping occurs.
If after that the excess air has not come out, put the child on the back for a couple of minutes, and then again swear vertically. nine0003
Lay on the stomach before feeding, do a gentle massage of the tummy between them. Simple movements in the form of adducting the legs or the “bicycle” exercise will additionally help rid the baby of the accumulation of gases.
What should not be done with flatulence in a child?
Today, it is not recommended to use special devices (gas tubes) to relieve symptoms, as the child gets used to "outside help" and does not learn to cope with the problem on his own. nine0003
There is a lot of controversy regarding drugs today. There are different groups of drugs on the market, declared as anti-flatulence agents - probiotics, antispasmodics, herbal preparations. However, there are no large studies confirming the effectiveness of at least one of them. If you still decide to use them, be sure to consult with your pediatrician.
What should be in a first aid kit for newborns - read here.
Petrova Karina Georgievna
pediatrician
Flatulence in children: help and treatment
Increased gas formation is a problem that accompanies almost all babies in the first weeks of life. This is due to the fact that the baby's body is just being formed. Adapting to life outside the mother's belly is not an easy task.
Dry initial milk formula adapted by Valio Baby 1 NutriValio for feeding children from birth to 6 months Read more
Intestinal flatulence is often confused with baby colic. From a medical point of view, there is no “equal” sign between these phenomena, from a practical point of view, they are, in general, one and the same. When a child is worried about flatulence, he becomes naughty, cries loudly, kicks his legs and refuses to eat.
The baby is worried about sharp pains in the abdomen. Premature babies suffer from them more often than those born at term. Their digestive system is even more immature, and the musculature of the walls of the stomach and intestines is very poorly developed. Like colic, bloating begins to bother babies from birth, but significantly decreases (or completely disappears) by 3-4 months, when the child gets stronger. nine0003
Causes of flatulence in infants
Aerophagy. This is the name of the swallowing of air during feeding. The child may take the nipple or breast incorrectly, cry during feeding, rush, the mother may hold the bottle incorrectly. As a result, the baby “grabs” air, which enters the intestines and causes the formation of gases. Therefore, it is very important to establish the correct feeding process.
Immaturity of microflora. nine0158 The baby is still very small, his body is just learning to work, the microbiocenosis (microflora) has not formed.
Flatulence will pass with age. If the problem is tormenting an older baby, pay attention to the child's reaction to complementary foods or changing the mixture. If the baby is unwell, consult a doctor to alleviate his condition.
Diet of a nursing mother. Gas in the baby's intestines can be caused by foods that the mother ate. A nursing woman needs to be more careful about her diet. It is worth using dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, cabbage, yeast bread, pastries, nuts with caution. It is better to avoid carbonated drinks altogether. nine0003
Delayed bowel movements. Under such conditions, gases accumulate, this gives the baby more and more discomfort.
How to help a baby with flatulence?
Help the baby empty the intestines. Effective massage of the tummy (make circular movements around the navel clockwise), gymnastics (press the baby’s legs bent at the knees to his tummy, then straighten them), a warm bath will help (it’s good to add a decoction of chamomile or string).
If mild methods don't work, you can use an enema or a gas tube. Remember that you need to act very carefully! nine0003
With flatulence, children's teas with medicinal herbs - fennel, chamomile, dill, anise and cumin help. You can buy dill water in the pharmacy in the drug production department (keep in mind that it is stored in the refrigerator and no more than 10 days).
To prevent gas formation, make sure that the baby eats in a calm environment, not distracted, not in a hurry. Before feeding the baby, it is useful to put it on the tummy for 5 minutes (this is a kind of massage). After the baby has eaten, hold it with a “column” so that excess air comes out with a burp. nine0003
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