Common Causes For Your Baby’s Gas & How To Treat It

Gassy Baby: Infant Gas Relief, Signs & Symptoms

Infant gas can seem like a mysterious thing to new parents. What causes gas? Why does my baby get gas all the time? How do I stop the gas? These are just some of the questions many new parents have about infant gas. Luckily, an East Mesa family doctor can answer these questions for you! 

Children are sensitive creatures. Their body reacts to everything that surrounds it, and if their little stomach suffers from gas (this means a bad mood for several hours or even all day long). The best you can do to avoid that discomfort is to learn the most common causes of baby gas and how to treat them at home and with your trusted pediatrician. 

Keep reading below to learn more about it. 

Gassy Baby: Infant Gas Relief, Signs & Symptoms In East Mesa, AZ.

What Does Cause Baby Gas?

Feeding Problems

Alyson Boone, CPNP-PC, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care explained that if your baby has a weak latch on the breast or bottle, they may take in more air when they feed. It might make your baby more fussy and gassy.

Food Allergy Or Sensitivity

Keep an eye on your baby if they are intolerant or sensitive to a milk formula. If you’re feeding your baby, changes in your diet can affect how your baby digests food and how gassy they become.

Constipation

Constipation is uncommon at this age, but it is more likely if your child is formula-fed or has started eating solids. Your East Mesa family doctor will give you details about your baby’s diet, so follow them correctly and check the baby’s stool if there’s any strange behavior with your baby.

Keep in mind that the consistency and the hardness of your baby’s stool may indicate constipation or mild bowel obstruction.

Symptoms Of Baby Gas

Here are some warning signs and symptoms to look out for if you think your baby’s fussiness may be caused by gas:

  • Recurring spit-ups
  • Bringing their legs up toward their belly
  • Bloated belly
  • Gurgling or bubbling sounds in their belly

How To Treat a Gassy Baby

Here are five suggestions to consider to lessen and relieve your baby’s gas:

Burp Before & After Meals

Sometimes all it takes is one or two effective burping bouts during and after a meal. Burping expels excess air your infant swallows while sucking on your breast or bottle. Burping a baby helps in removing gas from the stomach before it enters the intestines, where it may cause further discomfort.

At first, your infant might not enjoy being disturbed during mealtime, but incorporating this into your routine might help relieve their gas.

If your baby’s still gassy or feels discomfort while eating, visit an East Mesa pediatric doctor. Sometimes these symptoms indicate a food allergy or intolerance, and if you don’t know it yet, you should get the information from the doctor as soon.

Replace The Bottle & Nipple

Bottles and nipples come in different shapes and sizes. Your baby may occasionally take in extra air due to a large nipple or a shallow bottle latch. A slower flow nipple might help your child to control their air intake while feeding.

You can try differently shaped nipples to see if the latch improves, or you could also try different feeding techniques by asking your trusted East Mesa pediatric doctor. 

Check Your Diet Or Switch Formulas

If you’re only breastfeeding your child, your diet may influence how they digest the milk. They may be sensitive to the meals you’re eating if you discover they are uncomfortable after being breastfed.

Your baby might thrive on a typical formula, but remember they can also be lactose intolerant or allergic to milk. Some babies respond better to low lactose, while others respond best to probiotic-containing formulas.

Get Your Baby Active!

Movement can hasten the removal of gas accumulated in their tiny digestive tract. You can attempt these exercises to make your baby move: 

  • Bicycle: Lie your child on their back, grip both feet firmly in each hand, and slowly pedal your baby’s legs.
  • Tummy technique: Apply light pressure to your baby’s stomach to keep things moving and disperse those gas bubbles. Additionally, tummy time is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen their head and neck.

Contact An East Mesa Pediatric Doctor For More Help

Baby gas is a common issue with infants, so feel free to reach out East Mesa Family Doctor to see if there could be other causes for their excessive gas. Our team of experts can also help you find the best solution for any issues with your baby’s health. Check our website to schedule an appointment.

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Written by:

East Mesa Family Doctors
8035 E. Brown Road, Building 4, #101
Mesa, AZ 85207
Phone: (480) 750-0085
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://eastmesafamilydoctor.com/