Becoming a parent is quite an adventure, and while it can be magical and wonderful in so many ways, it also comes with a long list of new responsibilities for you to accept and challenges to overcome. One of the many things new parents learn in the early days after bringing their little bundles of joy home for the first time is just how gassy babies can be!
Babies can pass gas over 20 times a day, and it’s perfectly normal to have a gassy baby. They’re so young, with digestive systems that are still developing and growing all the time, so it’s perfectly normal, but gassy babies can be quite a handful to deal with. Their faces get all red, they start to fuss and squirm, and they can struggle to settle down or sleep until the gas is gone.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to help a gassy baby, and the truth is that there are potentially a range of different causes for this problem and things you can try doing a little differently to help out. So if you notice your little one getting red in the face, crying for no clear reason, or struggling to eat and sleep properly, here are some common gas-relieving techniques to try out.
Try a Different Feeding Technique
If you happen to bottle-feed your baby, it might be the case that your technique is making them more gassy, and experts say that infant gas occurs more often in bottle-fed babies than those who are breastfed.
To get around this, try sitting your baby upright while feeding them, rather than letting them lay back in your arms as you give them the bottle. You should also make sure to burp them often during feeding sessions, and this applies to breastfeeding mothers too, as burping can help to expel gas before it becomes a problem.
Consider Gas Relief Drops
Manual techniques and massages aren’t the only options available for treating a gassy baby; you can actually find gas relief drops that help to gently and effectively break up gas bubbles inside your baby’s body to free them of tummy pains and fussiness in an instant.
These drops come in a simple liquid formula that’s really easy for your baby to take and are often tasty for babies to swallow, without the need for any added sugars, parabens, or unwanted elements. They can be great for helping fussy, gassy babies feel a lot better and drift off to sleep more easily and comfortably, giving you a much-needed break in the process.
Change Your Diet
If you notice that your baby is getting gassy quite often, it’s possible that your own diet could be to blame. When you breastfeed your baby, the nature and nutritional content of that milk can be directly influenced by the foods you consume. So if you tend to eat a lot of foods that can cause gas naturally or that your baby responds badly too, it’s possible that they’ll get gas more frequently as a result.
Experts recommend looking at lists of gas-producing foods, like beans and broccoli, and then gradually removing these ingredients, one by one, from your diet in order to see if it has any effect. You might find that as soon as you cut cabbage out of your weekly meals, for instance, your baby stops getting so gassy and fussy.
Massages and Movements
There are various massages, rubs, and exercises you can try out with a gassy baby to help them feel better. What’s more, massages are a super way to get some quality contact time with your little one and strengthen your bond too, so there’s no reason to not give them a try.
A good technique is to place the baby on their back and then use two or three figures to make circular motions on their abdomen. You can even try the “I Love You” massage, in which you spell the letters I, L, and U, on your baby’s stomach to help gas flow through their digestive system more comfortably.
Lifting a baby’s legs and moving them back and forth as though your little one is riding a bike is another popular and effective method to try.
Final Word
Dealing with a gassy baby is never fun, and it’s not pleasant to see your little one suffering so much with tummy pains and gassy problems. Fortunately, with these tips, you’ll be better-prepared to help your child feel a lot better.