What to know about infant gas

Why are infants gassy?

Gas is a normal by-product of digestion, but when it builds up in the intestines, it can lead to discomfort, bloating, and pain. Here are common reasons your baby may have excess gas:

• Swallowing too much air during feedings, which can happen due to improper latching or drinking too fast
• A developing digestive system
• Sensitivity or intolerance to formula or food in the mother's diet passed through breast milk
• Insufficient burping during or after feedings
• Incorrect formula preparation (shaking a bottle introduces air bubbles, so let it sit for a few minutes after mixing)

Signs and symptoms of infant gas

• Fussiness
• Restlessness or squirming
• Grunting
• Increased spit-ups
• Discomfort
• Distended or bloated abdomen
• Excessive burping

Remedies to relieve gas

1. Infant gas drops can help break up gas bubbles. Over-the-counter gas drops typically contain simethicone, which can help reduce bloating, gas, and discomfort.
2. Burp your baby frequently, especially during and after feedings.
3. Abdominal massages and bicycling legs can release trapped gas.
4. Tummy time applies pressure on the abdomen to help release gas.
5. If your baby experiences excessive gas after feedings, consider switching to a hypoallergenic formula. Consult your local or Summer Health pediatrician before making any changes.
6. Adjust your breastfeeding position to improve your baby's latch.
7. Check the bottle nipple size to ensure proper milk flow during bottle feeding.
8. Switch to shorter feeds if your gassy baby has associated spit-ups. Feeding your baby smaller meals more frequently versus larger meals less often can also help.

Swallowing air during feeding

When babies drink milk from a breast or bottle, they swallow air too. Swallowing air can lead to gas buildup, which is why it's important to take some steps to reduce it:

• If you’re bottle feeding, choose a bottle with anti-colic features designed to reduce swallowed air during feeding.
• Feed your baby in an upright position to minimize swallowed air and gas bubbles.
• Burp your baby at least once or twice during and after feeding to release any trapped air and ease gas pains.
• When preparing infant formula, make sure to pop any bubbles that form when you shake it, as this can contribute to gas buildup.
• For breastfeeding, ensure your baby has a good latch to prevent them from gulping down extra air while nursing.

Is gripe water a safe treatment for infant gas?

Avoid using gripe water as ingredients can vary between brands and it is not regulated by the FDA.‍

Can probiotics help relieve infant gas?

While research on probiotics for children is limited, some pediatricians recommend them to support the microbiome and strengthen gut health. Consult with your local or Summer Health pediatrician before starting new supplements.

Infant gas: formula-fed vs. breastfed

Breast milk is easily digested, so breastfed babies typically have fewer problems with gassiness. Nursing also helps avoid issues related to bottle nipple sizes or incorrect formula preparation, which can contribute to gas buildup. Infant formula is more difficult to digest, particularly for babies with developing digestive systems, so they may be more susceptible to trapped gas.

If you suspect your baby's gassiness is due to food sensitivities such as milk protein intolerance, switch to a hypoallergenic formula or one with hydrolyzed proteins, which are often easier for babies to tolerate. Your local or Summer Health pediatrician can help you find the right formula for your baby.

Can a breastfeeding mother's diet cause infant gas?

Research on this topic is limited, but there have been anecdotal reports suggesting that babies can react to changes in their mother's diet.

Colic and infant gas

Colic is a condition where newborns experience excessive, inconsolable crying, often without an obvious cause. While there's no strict rule, babies who cry for more than three hours a day, three or more days a week, may be considered colicky. Gassy babies can be uncomfortable and fussy, and their symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for colic. Although gassiness itself doesn't cause colic, colicky infants may become gassy from swallowing air during prolonged crying.

Here are some key differences between infant gas and colic:

• Gassy babies experience discomfort and fussiness at different times throughout the day, while colicky babies often have long periods of fussiness typically in the evening.
• Gas discomfort is usually relieved with home treatments, whereas colic often persists despite several attempts to soothe the baby.
• Colic usually resolves on its own by three months of age, while infant gas can occur at any time.