There are numerous causes of gas in babies, including swallowing air, excessive crying, and more. Various methods can help to relieve gas in newborn and young babies. Examples include swaddling, burping, and tummy time.
While the best sleep position for a gassy baby is still on their back, sometimes, gas pains make it harder for your little one to sleep. If this is the case, you may find that swaddling your baby before bedtime will keep them warm and comfortable during the night, as well as reduce any discomfort.
Many parents wonder about the best sleeping position for a gassy baby. You may have heard that side sleeping (particularly on the left side) is better for releasing gas. However, safe-sleep guidance calls for babies to be placed to sleep on their backs until the baby's first birthday.
Use Soothing Movement
Gently rocking an infant or putting them in an infant swing, once they are at least three weeks old and can hold their head up, may help them pass gas. The motion also soothes them and may help them stop crying, reducing the amount of air they swallow.
This can cause gas and other intense pain, leading to prolonged and inconsolable crying or fussiness in an otherwise healthy baby. One of the benefits of swaddling a baby is that it can have a wonderfully soothing therapeutic effect on a baby suffering from colic by applying light pressure to a baby's belly.
But there are downsides to swaddling. Because it keeps the legs together and straight, it can increase the risk of hip problems. And if the fabric used to swaddle a baby comes loose, it can increase the risk of suffocation.
Gas is particularly common during the first 3 months of life when your little one's digestive tract is still maturing. You may even notice it's worse at night. 3 Most of the time, gas is from swallowing too much air, but there may be other reasons your little one is gassy.
On a bed, sofa, or the floor, lie on your side. Gently draw both knees toward your chest. If you don't get relief after several minutes, try slowly moving your legs down and up a few times. Try using your hands to pull your knees closer to your chest, if you can do this comfortably or without causing more pain.
Also, babies with colic may burp frequently or pass a significant amount of gas, but this is thought to be due to swallowing air while crying, and is not a cause of colic. The face may be flushed. The abdomen may be tense with legs drawn toward it.
“Almost all babies will find some baby gas relief by sucking on a pacifier,” O'Connor says, because the sucking action releases endorphins that will soothe them. Infant massage. Simply rubbing your child's belly may be helpful, since massage can help calm the nerve signals in baby's immature intestines.
Swaddling helps babies sleep longer, reduces anxiety, and prevents face scratching. Risks include overheating, hip dysplasia, and decreased arousal, which may increase the risk of SIDS. To swaddle safely, don't over-swaddle, ensure a secure swaddle, and avoid swaddling too tightly.
If your baby moves their legs up toward the belly, it could be a sign of abdominal pain caused by gas. Your little one is trying to relieve the the discomfort with this motion. Reduced appetite. Another common symptom of baby gas is a reduced appetite.
Make sure to burp your baby well.
If baby has had enough to eat, it may stir while you are going through the act of the swaddle but your baby will settle down quite quickly after being swaddled.
But swaddling is observed to have a calming effect on colicky babies. This is most probably because swaddling applies light pressure on their bellies, alleviating what pain and discomfort they might have. It also reminds them of the feeling of being inside the womb, which gives them a feeling of comfort and security.
Gentle burping can help release trapped gas in the upper gastrointestinal tract. You can encourage burping by sipping on a carbonated beverage or drinking a cup of warm water. Swallowing air intentionally while drinking can stimulate burping as well.
While trapped gas may cause discomfort, it usually passes on its own after a few hours. Some people may be able to relieve pain due to trapped gas using natural remedies, certain body positions, or OTC medications. Avoiding known trigger foods or drinks can help prevent trapped gas from occurring.
Why Is My Baby's Gas So Painful? As adults, all baby's pass gas, and they may also be painful. The reason for the pain during the passage of gas in a breastfed baby is intolerance to the protein in the mother's diet. Also, dairy products could also be another culprit for the baby's gas.
There are numerous causes of gas in babies, including swallowing air, excessive crying, and more. Various methods can help to relieve gas in newborn and young babies. Examples include swaddling, burping, and tummy time. Gas is normal for babies and usually goes away on its own.
Do not swaddle while feeding, as this can cause the baby to overheat. Swaddling during feeding can also suppress some of the baby's important reflexes. During breastfeeding, a baby who can move freely can latch on better and nurse more effectively.
Your newborn baby will sleep better and sleep longer if you put them to sleep while swaddled. Swaddling prevents newborn babies from startling themselves awake with random arm movements.
First is the developmental window of vulnerability. SIDS is most common at 2-4 months of age when the cardiorespiratory system of all infants is in rapid transition and therefore unstable.