Tiny Tummies: How to Relieve Baby Gas Pains
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As a parent, seeing your little one crying in discomfort and pain is one of the most challenging aspects of caring for a newborn, and can leave you feeling helpless and desperate to provide relief. One common culprit behind fussiness is often baby gas pains, a discomfort that many infants experience due to their newly developing digestive systems. This is often a contributing factor to colic - the word every parent dreads hearing. So whether your baby seems to be experiencing some discomfort or has full-on colic, keep reading for ways that might provide relief.
Causes of Baby Gas Pains
Gas pains happen to most infants and can be traced back to many different factors. The most common causes include:
Immature Digestive System: A newborn's digestive system is still developing, making it more prone to gas-related discomfort.
Swallowing Air: Babies often swallow air while feeding, crying, or sucking on pacifiers, leading to the accumulation of gas in their tiny tummies.
Dietary Factors: Breastfed babies can experience gas pains if their mothers consume certain gas-inducing foods like cabbage, broccoli, or dairy. In this case, you may want to try an elimination diet to see if that resolves the issue (keep reading below). For formula-fed infants, gas may result from difficulty digesting certain proteins.
Fast Feeding: Feeding too quickly can cause babies to ingest air along with their milk, contributing to gas issues. If your baby is spitting up large amounts after most meals, or even vomiting, they may be eating too quickly or too much.
Tightness: Sometimes babies are “tight”, meaning they hold extra tension in their little bodies. Birth and delivery are hard work for the baby too, and often creates tension that can contribute to gas pains. If you notice your baby constantly arching their back, clenching, or extending, you may want to consider chiropractic newborn care or infant massage.
Natural Methods to Relieve Baby Gas Pains
Burping: Burn your baby during and after feeds to release swallowed air. Hold your baby upright against your chest and gently pat or rub their back. If this doesn’t release the air, try sitting your baby up on your lap with your hand on their chest. Lean your baby forward with your thumb and forefinger supporting their jaw and pat their back.
Correct Feeding Techniques: Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, ensure a proper latch and a slow, steady flow of milk to prevent excess air intake. If your let down is too fast, try hand-expressing a small amount before feeding your baby.
Tummy Time: Gentle tummy time can help relieve gas by allowing your baby to expel trapped air. Lay them on their tummy for short periods when they are awake and supervised. If they cry and fight tummy time on the floor, you can try laying them on top of you while reclining, or use a nursing pillow so they aren’t face down.
Bicycle Legs: While your baby is lying on their back, gently move their legs in a bicycling motion. Gently push their legs toward their stomach in between cycling. This can help stimulate bowel movements and alleviate gas.
Warm Baths: A warm bath can relax your baby's muscles and ease digestive discomfort. Ensure the water is comfortably warm and supervise your baby closely.
Herbal Remedies: Some parents find relief using natural remedies like gripe water, which often contains herbs such as fennel, ginger, and chamomile known for their digestive benefits. Always consult with your pediatrician before using any herbal remedies.
Elimination Diet (for Breastfeeding Moms): If breastfeeding, consider eliminating certain gas-producing foods from your diet to see if it improves your baby's symptoms. Dairy is a common culprit, but you may want to try cutting other foods if eliminating dairy does not reduce symptoms.
Infant Massage: Gently rub your baby’s belly in a clockwise motion to move the gas toward the bowel. You can also try using the sides of your palms to make downward strokes on the belly from the ribs to pelvis, each hand following the other in a constant motion.
Chiropractic Care: Getting your baby adjusted can stimulate nerve flow, reduce gas, and improve the latch through muscle stimulation. Bellies and Babies (located at the Cincinnati Birth Center) is the perfect place for both mom and baby to get the care they need through a gentle, balanced approach.
