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Your baby will inevitably deal with gas at some point in time … and when they do, it can feel really stressful.
As a new Mom, it’s upsetting to see your little one in discomfort. And a fussy baby that won’t settle down can be tricky to manage – especially when you’re sleep-deprived.
I’ve listed 12 ways to help your gassy baby get relief. Hopefully you’ll find a quick solution!
12 Newborn Gas Relief Remedies
Please know that every baby is different and so they may respond to different things. Don’t expect every method to work, although you may find a solution or two fairly quickly.
So just keep trying until you find what works for you and your baby. You’ve got this, Mama!
Positions That May Relieve Baby Gas
There are a variety of positions and holds to try that can give instant relief. If baby’s suffering now, start here.
Tiger in The Tree
I’m going straight to this tip because I’ve seen it work time and time again. It can feel a bit odd the first time, but it can be a very soothing hold for baby.
Your baby’s going to lie draped over your forearm, face down, like a tiger lounging on the branch of a tree. Because the head is forward, it’s supported and therefore suitable even for very young babies.
The gentle pressure from the heel of your hand on baby’s tummy can provide relieve and help to move trapped gas. And it’s an easy position to sway or rock your body for extra calming.
I’ve found this to work wonders with colicky babies that didn’t respond to anything else. You can see the position demonstrated in this video.
Tummy Time
Just having your baby lay on their tummy is another great way of applying the pressure that can relieve gas pains. It’s also helpful for them to build core strength and can provide good distraction for fussy babies by giving them a different point of view.
Build up tummy time slowly; make sure it’s only done when the baby’s awake, and don’t leave your little one alone.
Bicycle Exercise to Help Newborn With Gas
This is a fun little exercise that can be super effective at releasing baby’s gas, so don’t say we didn’t warn you! The pressure of the knees on baby’s tummy and the squatting movement can instantly release painful gas bubbles.
Follow along with this and other baby massage and yoga moves to help trapped wind in this video.
Tummy Massage
Because babies digestive systems are still developing, they might need a little extra help from time to time.
Try massaging a small amount of hypoallergenic oil (like grapeseed) onto your baby’s belly in a clockwise motion. The circular motion of this baby massage stroke can help gas and waste to move along the digestive tract out of the body.
Massage also helps stimulate the vagus nerve, which is involved in digestion. See the video above for a live demonstration.
Burp Your Baby
Babies can swallow air while they’re feeding, so burping them often helps to release extra air before it reaches their tummy. You probably already do this after feeding, but try it during mid-feeding, too.
It can be tricky, but it’s worth trying if your baby is taking in too much air this way. If you notice your baby fussing after a few minutes of feeding, it could be the air causing that.
Keep your baby in an upright position after feeding and let them burp so they can release at least a certain amount of air before it becomes air bubbles in their tummy.
Find The Best Way of Feeding
Feeding your baby sounds like the most natural thing in the world. But in reality, it can be fraught with difficulty.
Several things can contribute to infant gas but the good news is there are solutions. So consider whether any of these feeding issues could be causing the excessive gas.
Slow Down Feeding
When babies feed fast, they can gulp down a lot of air. If you’re dealing with an oversupply of breast milk, speak with a lactation consultant to find solutions.
Bottle-fed babies can move to a slow-flow nipple to help them feed more slowly.
Check Baby’s Latch
If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important for your infant to get a good latch around the nipple. A poor latch doesn’t create a good seal, and air can get in that way, too.
Again, get a healthcare provider to work on this with you if necessary.
Find The Best Bottle
As well as trying a different bottle nipple, there are several different bottles with innovative designs to reduce excess air intake. It’s worth trying an alternative if your baby swallows too much air while bottle feeding.
The cost of trying out various bottles can rack up quickly, so here are some free baby bottles you can try out.
The flow of milk is different when babies feed from the breast and a bottle. So, if you switch between the two, it’s good to find a bottle with the best nipple to mimic breastfeeding as much as possible.
Related: Best Baby Bottles for Breastfed Babies
Try A Different Baby Formula
As with bottles, infant formula options abound. Some have been developed to produce less gas when feeding, so consider switching to one of those.
Finding an alternative is really important if your baby is sensitive, has a food intolerance, or is allergic to certain ingredients. Most formulas are made from cow’s milk, but goat’s milk formulas are also available for babies with a milk allergy.
Some brands are designed to be easier on babies’ immature digestive tract too, so look into Enfamil, Similac and Gerber for those.
Use Gas Drops
Baby gas drops are medicated and can be added to breast milk, formula or water. They contain simethicone which is designed to break down air bubbles in baby’s tummy.
Gas drops might not be suitable if your baby has a medical condition, so check with your Pediatrician for advice before using.
Other than that, they’re generally considered safe to use without any side effects.
Try Gripe Water
Like the gas relief drops, there’s not a huge amount of research to say that gripe water works. However, many parents swear by it.
It’s different from gas drops in that gripe water is made up of various herbs that claim to help relieve tummy troubles and even reduce teething pain.
This solution is an over-the-counter remedy, and you should read and follow the instructions carefully.
Consider Your Diet While Breastfeeding
Sometimes what you consume can affect your baby if you’re breastfeeding.
If you suspect that what you’re eating or drinking may be causing issues, check out these 11 Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding.
Getting Over Gas
Remember that dealing with a gassy newborn is a common issue. And it doesn’t mean anything about you as a new Mom.
Try these solutions one at a time. If Baby is still miserable, move on to the next tip until you find one that works.
If nothing seems to soothe your newborn, get medical advice to help find a solution. Good luck!