Article by Dr. Sherry Pottgen
Newborns have an immature digestive system that produces a large
amount of gas naturally. Although gas can be normal, when it collects in
the intestinal tract, it can often lead to bloating, pain, fussiness,
sleep interference, and feeding refusal in infants. Gas can also be
worsened when babies take in a lot of air with crying and feeding. There
are several reasonable remedies to try that may provide relief and make
babies more comfortable. After several attempts, some infants may still
experience an amount of gas that can be difficult to fully treat.
The following are recommendations to help minimize the effect of gas on your infant:
· Keep baby in upright position with head elevated for feeds
· Implement regular routine burping during and after feeds
· Avoid possible dietary triggers for breastfeeding moms that may be associated with baby’s distress
· Massage belly, move the legs in a bicycle motion or encourage tummy time to help expel the gas
· Use slow flow nipple and a brand/style of bottle that helps lessen the amount of swallowed air
· Consider using pre-mixed, ready-to-feed formula or allow powdered
formula to settle before serving to limit air bubbles and therefore
decrease the amount of potential gas for baby
· Break up your baby’s gas with over-the-counter gas drops if
necessary—these products are safe to try but their effectiveness is
still up for debate