When it comes to sleeping positions, it is recommended to put the baby on his back. This is considered the safest sleep position for babies regardless of whether they’re gassy or not. If a baby sleeps on her stomach, it increases the risk of SIDS.
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Home Remedies for Treating and Preventing Baby’s Gas
Gas is completely normal but it can cause young infants a great deal of discomfort. Fortunately, there are several things that parents can do to help prevent a baby’s gas and help their baby deal with gas pains.
Burp Regularly
When you burp your bottle-fed or breastfed baby, you are helping to release the gas that can build up in their stomach. This gas can cause discomfort and even pain for your baby. When you burp your baby regularly, you can help prevent this gas from building up and causing problems.
Burping your bottle-fed or breastfed baby after feeding also helps them to digest their food better, which can lead to less colic and other digestive issues.
Use a burp cloth over your shoulder and then support your infant upright while gently patting her back. In addition, many parents find it easier to burp their children in the seated position.
Control the Amount of Air
Swallowing air is the main cause of gassiness in infants. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, changing the way you feed your infant can help your baby swallow less air and prevent gas buildup.
Young infants may swallow air while bottle or breastfeeding. And the trapped air will cause discomfort and in some cases, pain.
Feeding your baby in an upright position will prevent additional air from being swallowed, as opposed to feeding him in a horizontal position. You can also try using a bottle designed to prevent air intake, such as a nipple with a vent.
If your infant is breastfeeding, make sure you have a good latch and that your baby is not gulping air while nursing.
Do Baby Bicycles
Babies can get gas a lot, but there are things parents can do to help prevent it. One way to prevent gas is by doing baby bicycles. This helps the baby’s digestion move better and can help stop them from getting gas.
To do baby bicycles, you’ll need to place your baby on their back on a flat surface. Place their knees up to their chest and hold them there. Alternately, you can use a pillow to help support their knees. Hold your baby in this position for about 10 seconds, then release. Repeat this process 10-15 times per day.
Try Fennel Syrup or Gas Drops
Fennel syrup and gas drops are both effective ways to treat gas pains in a bottle-fed or breastfed infant.
Fennel syrup is a natural way to help alleviate gas pain and gas discomfort. The fennel plant has been used for centuries to treat a variety of digestive problems, and the syrup is made from dried fennel seeds. Fennel syrup helps to relax the muscles in the baby’s digestive system and can help to expel gas.
Gas drops are a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve gas pains in most infants. The drops work by helping to break down the trapped gas bubbles that are causing the gas pain. They come mostly in liquid form and can be given to babies either directly or added to their formula or expressed milk.
Give Your Baby a Gentle Infant Massage
When your baby is having trouble with gas, one thing you can do to help is to give them a gentle massage. This will help them to relax and move the gas through their system. It can also be a great way to bond with your little one.
Here are the steps you need to follow for a successful infant massage:
- Before you start the massage, make sure your hands are clean and your nails are trimmed. You will also want to have some lotion or oil handy.
- Find a comfortable place to sit with your baby on your lap. You can also do this while they are lying down on a blanket on the floor.
- Gently rub your hands together to warm them up.
- Start by massaging your baby’s legs, using circular motions.
- Move up to their tummy, still using a circular motion. You can also do this in a clockwise motion if it seems to help.
- Don’t forget to massage your baby’s back.
- Finish up by massaging their arms and hands.
- If you like, you can end the massage by gently rocking your baby or singing to them.
Try giving your baby a gentle massage when they are having trouble with gas. It can be a great way to bond with them and help relieve some of their gas pain and discomforts.
Simple Diet Modifications
A baby’s digestive system is still developing. This means certain foods can make a baby gassy. These foods include legumes, dairy, and some vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
Making small changes to both the baby’s and breastfeeding mom’s diet can help prevent infant gas. Some modifications that may help include avoiding dairy products because your baby might be reacting to milk protein, adding fiber to the mother’s diet, and giving the baby smaller, more frequent feedings.
Keep a food log when your child starts eating solid foods at 6 months. You can keep track of what she is eating and what is causing her gas.
While making these dietary changes may take a little bit of time and effort, they can be very effective in reducing infant gas and making both the mother and baby more comfortable.
Encourage Tummy Time
Parents should do tummy time with their babies every day. It is a great way to help prevent your baby from having gas problems.
When babies spend time on their stomachs, they are able to move their bowels more easily and less gas will be trapped in their intestines. It can also help strengthen your baby’s neck and back muscles.
To do a supervised awake tummy time with your baby, you’ll want to place your baby on their stomach on a flat surface. You can use a blanket or a mat specifically designed for tummy times.
Make sure that your baby’s head, neck, and spine are in a straight line, and that their chin is slightly tucked in. You should stay with your baby during tummy times and supervise them closely.
Start by doing tummy times for a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase the amount of time as your baby gets used to it. Read our guide to helping babies love tummy time!
What Position Should a Gassy Baby Sleep?
Despite the discomfort, it is still important for gassy babies to sleep on their backs. This is the safest sleep position for them, as it decreases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). So, lay your baby in the supine sleep position or on her back even if your baby is gassy. Baby Reflux Sleeping Position: How to Get Your Baby to Sleep
If your baby is having trouble sleeping due to gassiness, you can try elevating her head to no more than 30 degrees for a short period of time. However, be sure to supervise them closely and put them back on their backs as soon as they fall asleep.
Swaddling can also help to calm a gassy baby and encourage them to sleep. When a baby is swaddled, it feels like they are being hugged, which can help to soothe them. Additionally, the gentle pressure of the swaddle on the baby’s tummy can help to relieve some of the gas bubbles that are causing them discomfort.
You can also try the colic carry which is a technique that helps relieve your baby’s gas pains by applying pressure to his stomach. You can either hold your baby under her belly on one of your forearms or lay her across your knees. While in this position, gently massage her back in a clockwise direction.
Conclusion on Sleeping Positions and Home Remedies for Gassy Babies
To help your little one if she is struggling with gas, make sure that she is sleeping on her back. This position helps babies digest food better and decreases the risk of SIDS.
Don’t hesitate to ask your baby’s doctor or lactation consultant for advice or additional support if needed. And they can help you determine if your child is having gas or colic which often happens in the early evening. Or perhaps there are underlying medical conditions.
Remember you’re not alone, many women and men are dealing with the same problem as you so don’t hesitate to reach out to your fellow moms and dads for advice.
FAQs on Home Remedies for Gas in Babies
Are Breastfed Babies More Prone to Gas Than Bottle-Feeding Babies?
Bottle-fed babies are gassier than breastfed babies because their milk is not specific to human babies. The milk in the formula is a blend of cow’s milk and other ingredients, which can cause digestive upset for most babies. Breast milk, on the other hand, is tailor-made for human infants and is much easier to digest.
Additionally, bottle-fed infants swallow more air which means they have more gas in their stomachs. This can be due to a lot of reasons including nipple size and the ingredients of the feeding formula.
Do Food Sensitivities and Allergic Reactions Cause Gas?
Food allergies and sensitivities are not uncommon in infants since they have immature digestive systems. They can lead to bloating and gas which are considered common symptoms. This is because when the baby’s body is trying to fight off the allergen, it can create excess air in their digestive systems. This often causes discomfort and can be quite frustrating for both baby and parent.
This article was written by: Gian MIller – Full-Time Writer, Baby Whisperer & Dad of 3.
Gian spends a lot of his time writing. A self-proclaimed baby whisperer, Gian has been through it all with his own children and is passionate about sharing his hard-won wisdom with other parents. When he’s not writing or changing diapers, you can find him playing the guitar or watching baseball (or preferably both at the same time).
