Tips to relieve baby's gas discomfort at night At the last feed before bedtime, make sure you keep their head higher than their stomach while feeding, and their backs are held as straight as can be. Allow plenty of time to burp your baby mid-feed and post-feed.
Gassiness is often worse at night. This is due, on the most part, to baby's immature digestive system and has nothing to do with what mom does or eats.
Gas is particularly common during the first 3 months of life when your little one's digestive tract is still maturing. 2 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.
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.
Gas troubles often start right away or when babies are just a couple of weeks old. Fortunately, most infants outgrow them by the time they're 4 to 6 months old, though for some, baby gas can last longer. Infants are usually gassy because they have immature digestive systems and swallow air during feedings.
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. In a formula-fed baby, the gas pain may occur due to the intolerance to the protein in the formula.
“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.
Still, your milk composition changes at night, and you may experience a slower milk flow. The change in milk volume might make for a cranky baby. Gas. If your baby is feeling gassy, and they can't seem to pass it out of their tiny digestive system, they may feel very uncomfortable!
A baby will get gas relief if they are swaddled them in a blanket. Not only will this calm them but it will also make their tummy feel better. The soothing pressure mimics how they felt in the womb and will give them a sense of security so they can relax and pass gas.
Gas discomfort from burps and farts typically peaks at six weeks and improves immensely by 3 months of age. At that point, even the fussiest babies tend to settle.
Gas pain is no fun for anyone, adults and babies alike. And if your baby is screaming in pain from gas, there's a good chance that they're not the only one in pain — it's so hard to see your little one struggling. It can feel terrible not knowing what to do to soothe your baby.
Gently massage your baby, pump their legs back and forth (like riding a bike) while they are on their back, or give their tummy time (watch them while they lie on their stomach). A warm bath can also help them get rid of extra gas.
If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, continue feeding or try some tummy time to help a baby to burp on their own. Tummy time. Placing a baby on their stomach while awake helps to relieve gas pains. By gently increasing the abdominal pressure, tummy time pushes gas bubbles up and out.
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.
Signs of a Gassy Baby
If you suspect that your fussy baby is genuinely uncomfortable, and they keep squirming and pulling up their legs, they might have some gas that refuses to pass.
Other things that can cause gas include normal baby stuff like crying, sucking on a pacifier or simply getting the hiccups. Anything that causes baby to swallow excess air can trigger gas.
Let the formula settle
Why? The more shaking and blending involved, the more air bubbles get into the mix, which can then be swallowed by your baby and result in gas. Try using warm (but not too hot) water compared to cold or room temperature water.
Try tummy time
“Placing baby on their tummy while they're awake can help alleviate infant gas,” says Trachtenberg. “The pressure put on their belly can help ease the pain and move things along through and out intestines and rectum.”
"Tummy Time" is great for stretching and giving the abdominal organs a sort of "massage" which then stimulates normal bowel functioning and can help to eliminate baby gas.
Lying on your side with your knees bent can help to relieve trapped gas. If you don't feel relief after a few minutes, pull your knees closer to your chest or try alternating between straight legs and bent knees.
Common causes for baby gas
If your baby is flatulent, there could be many culprits for it. Some of the most common causes of increased gassiness include feeding issues, formula or food intolerance, crying and constipation.