Tips to treat and prevent gas!
Check your diet
Often, what mom eats can make its way to baby and cause gas for their tiny tummies. What’s more, if a baby has an allergy or food sensitivity, the gas can sometimes be accompanied with diarrhea. If you’re breastfeeding, here are some common examples of foods that may be causing your baby’s gas:
Beans and lentils
Cruciferous vegetables like leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli or brussels sprouts
Dairy (think yogurt, milk, cheese or ice cream)
Spicy foods (chilies, hot sauces, curries)
Aromatic vegetables like shallots, onions or garlic
A major culprit of baby gas is dairy, as cow’s milk allergy (CMA) and protein/lactose sensitivities are becoming more and more common.
The best way to check if a food you’re eating is giving your baby gas is to try what’s called an elimination diet. For up to two weeks, remove a suspected food from your diet and see if your baby’s gas problems ease. If a food seems to be a culprit, try eating it only in moderation. It’s always best to consult with your doctor to ensure you’re getting a balanced diet while you eliminate and test certain foods.
Let the formula settle
If you’re using a powdered formula, make sure you let your freshly mixed bottle settle for a minute or two before feeding your baby. 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. This helps the formula dissolve more effectively, thus eliminating bubbles from tons of shaking.
Tip: If you’re in a rush, gently tapping the bottom of the bottle on the counter or table can help bubbles rise to the top more quickly.
Swap bottles for gassy babies
Some bottles are specifically designed to reduce the amount of air that is swallowed during feedings. If your baby is having problems with gas, try a vented, angled, or collapsible style. Make sure to hold baby’s head elevated at a 45-degree angle and tip the bottle downward into their mouth with the nipple full of milk, not air.
Know the nipple your gassy baby needs
Nipples come in different sizes (based on age) and control the flow of the formula. For example, a nipple for a newborn has a slow flow, while a nipple for an older baby flows much quicker. Make sure you are using an age-appropriate nipple.
If your baby has outgrown their nipple size, they might be sucking in a lot of air with the formula. And extra air means a higher of having gas (and gas pains.) At the same time, if the nipple flow is too fast, your baby is gulping too much formula at once, which can also cause gas.
Burp baby after feeding
It’s best to try to keep your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after a feeding. If they’re still gassy, burping can help release any gas pockets from your baby swallowing too much air. Gently pat your baby, starting at the lower back and working your way up. There are a few different ways to help make your baby burp, so try one of these burping positions:
Hold your baby against your chest (with their body facing yours). Ensure their head is on your shoulder. Then pat and rub their back.
Have your baby sit on your lap. Support their chest and head with one hand while patting their back with the other. Make sure you’re holding your baby’s chin and not their throat.
Lay your baby flat against your lap with the belly face down. Support your little one’s head and make sure it’s higher than their chest. Gently rub or pat their back.
If you can’t produce a burp in your baby with one position, then try another. You’ll probably find that one position works best for your little one.
Try a formula designed for gas
Some doctors recommend an elimination diet to see if there’s something in the formula that is setting off your baby’s digestion. If you think the current formula isn’t best for baby, you can try switching formulas to formulas designed to ease gas issues. These formulas can help fussiness and crying and are gentle on a baby’s sensitive tummy. They have easy-to-digest protein and provide complete nutrition—including brain-nourishing nutrients like DHA—for your baby’s growth and development.
While having a gassy baby may cause you a few worries, there are several steps to take to help alleviate tummy troubles. By switching up feeding habits and arming yourself with the right tools, you and your doctor should be able to get to the bottom of your baby’s gas in no time!