Newborn Gas: What's Normal And What's Not?

It's completely normal for newborns to pass gas a lot. In fact, according to Julie Kardos, MD, and Naline Lai, MD, all babies are gassy in their first two months of life. This is because newborns have immature digestive systems and swallow a lot of air while feeding and crying. However, if your baby seems to be in pain or discomfort, it's best to consult a doctor.

Why newborn babies are gassy

It is perfectly normal for newborn babies to pass a lot of gas. According to Dr. Samira Armin, a pediatrician at Texas Children's Pediatrics in Houston, newborn digestive systems are immature, so they produce a lot of gas. In addition, infants take in a lot of air while feeding and crying, which produces more gas.

How to relieve gas in newborn babies:

• Burp your baby during and after feeding.
• Feed your baby before they get too hungry, as crying fills their tiny tummies with air.
• Adjust your feeding position: keep your baby on a slight incline so that their head is higher than their stomach during feedings.
• Get your baby's legs moving: lie your baby on their back and move their legs in a gentle circular motion, as if they were riding a bicycle.
• Try baby gas drops: commonly known as gas drops, the medication simethicone has been used for years to relieve gas in infants.
• Change the formula you use: if your baby drinks formula, consider trying new kinds to see if it helps relieve their gas.
• Improve latch: a weak latch can cause a baby to swallow too much air.
• Slow down feeding: slowing down the rate at which formula-fed babies eat may help.
• Try different bottles: some babies get less gas when using different-shaped bottles.

When to be concerned about your baby's gas:

It is recommended to contact a healthcare provider if, in addition to gas issues, your baby:

• Stops pooping or eating.
• Has black or bloody stools.
• Is running a fever.
• Is unusually fussy and can't be consoled.
• Has symptoms of an allergic reaction, like a rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

How to know if your baby's gas is normal

It is common for newborns to pass gas a lot—it's nothing to worry about. However, if you're concerned about your baby's gas, here are some ways to know if it's normal or something more serious.

Signs of Normal Gas

• Your baby is generally happy and only fusses for a few seconds while passing gas. They might be uncomfortable, but this is usually harmless.
• Your baby is feeding well, gaining weight, and passing soft stools that are green, yellow, or brown (not bloody, white, or black).
• Your baby's gas improves over time. Gas discomfort typically peaks at six weeks and gets better by three months of age.

When to Consult a Doctor

While infant gas is usually normal, in rare cases, it can be a sign of a more serious digestive problem. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Your baby does not poop, has bloody stools, or vomits.
• Your baby is very fussy and can't be consoled.
• Your baby has a fever (a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or 38°C or higher).
• Your baby is not gaining weight or is having difficulty feeding.
• Your baby is constipated or has hard time with bowel movements.

Tips to Relieve Gas

If your baby is bothered by gas, here are some tips to help relieve their discomfort:

• Burp your baby during and after feedings. For bottle-fed babies, burp after every 2-3 ounces, and for breastfed babies, every 5-10 minutes.
• Experiment with different bottle nipples and shapes to find what works best for your baby.
• Feed your baby before they get too hungry, as crying can cause them to swallow more air.
• Feed your baby in an upright position to reduce the amount of air they swallow.
• Massage your baby's tummy gently or do bicycle exercises with their legs to help move the gas along.
• Try over-the-counter gas drops or gripe water, but always check with your doctor first.
• Give your baby plenty of tummy time throughout the day when they are awake.
• If you're breastfeeding, consider changing your diet or trying formula to see if it helps reduce gas.

Remember, while it can be worrying to see your baby in discomfort, infant gas is usually normal and treatable. If you're ever concerned, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and support.

How to relieve gas in infants and toddlers

It is very common for infants to pass gas, with some passing gas 13-21 times a day. This is due to their immature digestive systems and the fact that they swallow a lot of air when feeding or crying. If your baby seems uncomfortable, there are several things you can do to help relieve their discomfort.

• Burp your baby: One of the easiest ways to ease gas pains is to burp your baby during and after feeding. If they don't burp right away, lay them down on their back for a few minutes and then try again.
• Check feeding position: When nursing or bottle-feeding, keep the baby's head higher than their stomach so that milk sinks to the bottom of the stomach and air goes to the top, making it easier to burp out.
• Change equipment: If bottle-feeding, switch to a slower-flow nipple to decrease the rate of flow and reduce the amount of air your baby swallows.
• Massage your baby's tummy: Gently massage your baby's tummy and pump their legs back and forth (like riding a bike) while they are on their back.
• Give your baby a warm bath: This can help them get rid of extra gas.
• Take a closer look at foods: Talk to your baby's doctor about foods that may give them extra gas. For example, some infants have trouble digesting dairy products and caffeine, which can come through breast milk if the mother consumes them.
• Try over-the-counter medications: You can try simethicone gas drops for infant gas, but there is no clear proof that they work. Always check with your doctor before giving your baby any medication.

If your baby seems to be in pain or you are concerned about their gas, consult your paediatrician.

Gas prevention methods for babies

It is normal for newborns to pass gas a lot. Here are some methods to help prevent and ease the pain of gas for your baby:

Feeding Position

When nursing or bottle-feeding, keep the baby's head higher than their stomach. This will allow milk to sink to the bottom of the stomach and make it easier for air to rise to the top, making it easier to burp out. You can also lay them on their back for a few minutes and then try again if they don't burp right away.

Burping

Burp your baby during and after they feed. If you are breastfeeding, hold your baby upright before switching breasts to give them a chance to burp. If bottle-feeding, hold them upright for a few minutes after feeding to allow for extra burps.

Feeding Equipment

If bottle-feeding, switch to a slower-flow nipple. You can also try anti-gas nipples and bottles, which can change the flow of milk and reduce the amount of air your baby swallows.

Work it Out

Gently massage your baby, pump their legs back and forth (like riding a bike) while they are on their back, or give them tummy time (watch them while they lie on their stomach). A warm bath can also help them get rid of extra gas.

Diet

Talk to your baby's doctor about foods that may give them extra gas. For example, some parents give infants fruit juice, which contains sorbitols (sugar alcohols) that the baby can't absorb. If you are breastfeeding, your baby could have trouble digesting some of the foods that you eat, such as dairy products and caffeine.

When to visit the pediatrician

It is normal for newborns to pass gas a lot. In fact, it's common for babies to pass gas 13-21 times a day! This is because infants have many opportunities to swallow air, such as when they eat or cry.

While newborn gas is usually harmless, there are some instances where you should visit the pediatrician. If your baby:

• Does not poop, has bloody stools, or vomits.
• Is very fussy and you can't get them to calm down.
• Has a fever. If they are under 3 months old, take them to the doctor right away.
• Isn't gaining weight.
• Frequently doesn't want to eat or is hard to feed.
• Seems constipated or has a hard time with bowel movements.
• Has an allergic reaction (hives, vomiting, rash, swollen face, trouble breathing) after trying a new gas treatment or formula.
• Burp your baby during and after feedings.
• Try different feeding positions to keep your baby's head higher than their stomach.
• Switch to a slower-flow nipple if bottle-feeding.
• Massage your baby's tummy gently or pump their legs back and forth in a bicycling motion.
• Give your baby plenty of tummy time.
• Talk to your baby's doctor about foods that may cause gas and consider making changes to your diet if you are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions