How to Keep Gas Out of Babies' Stomachs

Most babies will have stomach gas at one point or another. Oftentimes the gas will pass naturally without much of an issue for the baby. Sometimes, however, gas can be bothersome and cause distress for both the baby and the parents. Frequent gas can be painful for a small baby. If it happens often it is a good idea to try and get the gas out before it becomes a problem.

Instructions

Preventing Gas in Babies

1

Avoid eating foods that cause gas in your baby, if you're breastfeeding. Some of these foods include garlic, cucumbers, peppers, cabbage, onions, broccoli, cauliflower and turnips. If bottle feeding, use an anti-colic bottle. These bottles come with a valve that snaps on to the base, which reduces air bubbles from forming when the baby sucks on the nipple.

2

Burp your baby every few minutes as she feeds to prevent gas build-up. If the baby has a hard time burping try holding her face down on your lap and gently patting her back.

3

Hold your baby in the "football hold," if he still can't burp on your lap. Put his chin on your hand and his legs straddling your elbow. This should bring the bubbles up so you can pat his back again to get them out.

4

Provide quiet time for the baby after feeding, keeping her still. Too much playing or jostling around right after she eats can aggravate gas.

5

Fold baby's legs to his chest after he feeds to encourage any trapped gas to come out.

Relieving Baby's Gas Once It Has Become a Problem

6

Hold the baby close and facing you, then gently press her tummy against you.

7

Gently massage the baby's tummy in a circular motion. Bring his legs one at a time (like the bicycle exercise) to his chest and press in a gentle manner.

8

Place the baby upside down on your lap and softly shake your legs up and down.

9

Give the baby a dose of gripe water following the directions on the box or bottle. Giving the gripe water before the night feeding can also help relieve gas that may interfere with sleep. Consult with the baby's doctor first.

10

Administer Gas-X to the baby if the gas seems severe and is causing the baby a lot of pain. Consult the baby's doctor first and follow dosage directions on the bottle.