Infant Gas: What Causes It and How to Help Your Baby

You’re not alone; every parent has to deal with a gassy baby eventually. This article will cover everything from the causes of baby gas to tips on how to help give your baby some much-needed tummy relief.

There are a few common reasons that babies develop excess gas: 1

• Immature digestive systems: Your baby’s digestive system is still growing, and may sometimes move food along too quickly. Gas happens when things don’t break down completely.
• Swallowing air: Whether your baby is breastfeeding or going the bottle route, expect him to swallow some air now and then. The same goes for when he cries or sucks on a pacifier. This trapped air becomes a source of gas.
• Food sensitivities: Your little one could have issues with certain foods in your diet (if you’re breastfeeding) or with certain formula ingredients (if you’re formula-feeding him).
• Eating too quickly: If your baby eats like he’s just run a marathon, this can make him gassy (or cause newborn hiccups, which could also make him swallow air). The same goes for eating too much, regardless of how long the meal takes. 1

Fortunately, most babies grow out of these problems and don’t need medical attention for their excess gas.

Recognizing the signs of baby gas

All babies get gassy sometimes. However, excessive gas can be uncomfortable and make yours extra fussy.

Aside from all that crying and irritability, some signs that your baby needs to cut one loose include: 2

• General unhappiness
• Trouble eating or sleeping
• Pulling his legs up to his chest

You can track your baby’s symptoms and behavior in your notebook or in one of many baby tracker apps available on app stores.

Distinguishing between normal gas and colic

People often confuse gas and colic, but they’re different conditions. Colic describes when an otherwise healthy baby cries excessively at least 3 hours a day, lasting for more than 3 days a week for more than a 3-week period.

Colic is a frustrating but very common condition that generally will wrap up by the time your baby turns 6 months old (potentially as early as 3 months). 3

Colic is somewhat mysterious, but may stem from an inability to self-soothe. Expect a colicky baby to cry inconsolably at the same time each day, usually in the evening.

Because colic and gas-induced fussiness have different causes, they also have different remedies. If your baby is colicky, most of the potential solutions involve creating a calming environment (as opposed to helping him release his gas, which we’ll talk about below).

Now that you know the signs of gas, here are some ideas to help your little gas master find relief:

Burping technique

One simple yet effective way to tackle gas is to burp your baby. You can do this after and during feedings.

If he’s bottle-feeding, try getting him to burp after every 2–3 ounces. With breastfeeding, you can try whenever you switch breasts. If he turns away from the breast or bottle, take this as your cue to encourage a burp. 2

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, keeping your baby in an upright position reduces the amount of air he can swallow. Ensure he’s properly latched during breastfeeding.

If you’re bottle-feeding, research and pick a bottle carefully. The best baby bottles come with anti-gas designs and nipples that limit air intake. Make sure the nipple is always full of milk when you feed him.

Movement and touch

A bit of gentle movement and touch works wonders to relieve gas pressure: 4

• Shoulder method: This is the time-honored tactic of resting your baby’s head on your shoulder and gently patting or rubbing his back.
• Baby bicycles: Put your baby on his back and maneuver his legs in a bicycling motion towards his tummy to help push out trapped air.
• Tummy time: This refers to you putting your little one on his stomach for supervised sessions so he can strengthen his neck and arm muscles. Tummy time also helps relieve gas pressure.
• Massage: A gentle massage for your baby’s stomach, shoulders, back, and legs helps him relax (and also pass gas).

Dietary adjustments and other remedies for gassy babies

Sometimes, you need to tweak your baby’s diet or feeding routine to address gas. Consider the following:

• Adjusting your own diet: If you’re breastfeeding, ask your pediatrician if eliminating certain foods from your diet will reduce your baby’s gas. Common gas-inducing culprits include dairy products, caffeine, and junk food. 5
• Changing his formula: Talk to your doctor about formulas that reduce gas. Consider formulas with hydrolyzed proteins or lower lactose. 6

Sometimes, tantrums and meltdowns can trigger gassiness (because when babies cry, they swallow air).

It’s hard, but try to anticipate his meltdowns and prevent them before they start (e.g., by watching carefully for signs of hunger and feeding him before he has a chance to cry). 1 In addition to potentially reducing gassiness, this will make life a lot more pleasant for you both.

Over-the-counter options

If you want some extra help, you can hit up your local drugstore for infant gas relievers, but always check with your pediatrician before introducing your baby to something new. Be prepared for them to caution you away from OTC gas relief medication; there isn’t a whole lot of evidence that these remedies actually work, and some could even do more harm than good.

With all that said, here are some of the options you’ll encounter:

• Simethicone gas drops: You might have heard that some babies can get relief from anti-gas drops with simethicone—a silicone compound used to manage flatulence and bloating. 7 Whether or not it actually works is still up for debate. 4
• Gripe water: This herbal blend is believed to relieve gas and has long been touted as a natural remedy for colic. However, there’s limited evidence that it works, and it isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as it’s considered a dietary supplement, not medicine.
• Probiotics: These support gut health and help limit gassiness. While some research suggests this can help gassy infants, there is no clear medical consensus yet. 8

While most cases of infant gas are manageable at home, you should reach out to your doctor for help if he: 9

• Isn’t gaining weight, or his weight gain has slowed
• Frequently refuses to eat or has difficulty feeding
• Is constipated or struggling with bowel movements, or has blood in his stool
• Vomits or develops hives, rashes, facial swelling, or breathing trouble after trying a new treatment or formula

In a nutshell, if your otherwise healthy baby is gassy but is gaining weight appropriately and having regular bowel movements, you can feel comfortable opting for home remedies. If it seems like his gas is affecting his appetite and growth, get him to the doctor.

Dealing with a gassy newborn doesn’t have to leave you feeling like someone knocked all the wind out of you, too. Remember, a little gas is par for the course with babies and generally passes on its own.

Stay observant, inform yourself about what’s “normal” for your little one, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you need it.