How to treat a gassy baby

If your baby is gassy, you'll notice that he passes a lot of gas and seems to feel better afterward. Gas troubles often start right away or when babies are just a couple of weeks old. Fortunately, most infants outgrow them by the time they're 4 to 6 months old, though for some, baby gas can last longer. Infants are usually gassy because they have immature digestive systems and swallow air during feedings. Some babies may have sensitivities that could relate to a breastfeeding mom's diet or a certain type of formula.

Gassy baby signs and symptoms:

All babies, of course, pass a little gas. But look for these signs and symptoms of baby gas that's more than just the usual: Your baby cries and is fussy for an hour or more a day. This can be a sign of normal newborn gassiness that comes with having a tiny, underdeveloped digestive system. But you should still check in with your pediatrician if it happens every day and doesn't seem to get better. Your baby seems unhappy most of the time. This can indicate that you have an especially gassy baby who needs a bit more help. Gas that causes significant upset often indicates a problem beyond typical gassiness.

Your baby isn't eating or sleeping well. The trouble with sleeping or eating can have a whole range of causes, but infant gas may be one of them, especially if there are other signs. Talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your baby cries often and seems like he might be in pain. Your baby squirms as though he's uncomfortable and pulls his legs up to his chest, especially during bouts of fussiness.

Gassy baby causes:

Infant gas has several possible causes: Swallowing air when feeding or crying, which is very common and normal among new babies An underdeveloped digestive system, which allows food to pass through too quickly so it doesn't break down completely Hypersensitivities to certain types of formula or foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet, or possibly food allergies (though those are much rarer)

What are the best remedies for baby gas relief? If your baby's tummy troubles seem to be a problem, here's what to do for a gassy baby: Burp your baby twice A lot of newborn discomfort is caused by swallowing air during feedings. In addition to burping after feedings, try giving your baby a gentle back pat mid-feed to get rid of swallowed air before it travels to his bowels. One sign your baby needs a mid-meal burp: He turns away from the breast or bottle fussily after just a few minutes of feeding, which is more likely linked to gas than feeling full. If you're bottle-feeding, you can try burping every 2 to 3 ounces and if you're breastfeeding every five to 10 minutes (though that might be tricky). Control the air Whether his meals come from breast or bottle, try feeding your baby in a more upright position to cut back on the air he swallows. If you're breastfeeding, be sure your baby is properly latched. For bottle-fed babies, test anti-gas nipples and bottles, which can change the flow of milk and reduce the amount of air your baby swallows. Be sure that the nipple is always completely full with milk, so your baby doesn't chase formula with air. And try to avoid shaking the bottle too much, which can add extra bubbles to the milk. You can also try a concentrated liquid or ready-to-feed formula instead of powder. Feed your baby before meltdowns Crying, of course, is unpredictable — especially in really little babies. But the more your baby cries, the more air he swallows (and the more gas he has). So as much as possible, learn the early hunger cues in infants to nip hunger in the bud.