Helping Your Gassy Baby Sleep Soundly: Expert Tips

September 18, 2023

Taking care of your new baby can be challenging for a new parent. The difficulty of sleeping soundly with your gassy baby is one of the most common problems you may encounter.

Gas is an entirely normal part of being a baby. You can't help but feel helpless and frustrated when you see your little one uncomfortable and unable to rest peacefully.

Our tips will help you and your gassy baby sleep soundly so you can sleep well, too.

Why do babies get gas?

It's not uncommon for babies to swallow air during the feeding process or cry when they're learning to feed from the breast or bottle. Burping and flatulence are two ways babies release gas.

A baby's immature digestive system is another factor contributing to gas. It may take some time for a baby's digestive system to adjust to processing food efficiently since they are still developing. Digestion can produce gas, which can accumulate in your baby's system. Digestion can produce gas, which can get into your baby's system.

Various factors can cause gas; some degree of gas is typical and expected in infants.

According to Dr. Kimberly Langdon of obstetrics and gynecology, gas is caused by the breakdown of certain foods in the gut. Gas-causing foods for adults can also cause gas in babies.

Excessive gas, however, can cause discomfort and fussiness in babies. There are also several reasons why infants can suffer from gas:

Overfeeding, feeding too quickly, or failing to burp the baby after every feeding can cause excess gas.
A baby can develop food sensitivities or allergies because of certain foods in their mother's diet (if breastfeeding) or cow's milk protein in formula. This can result in digestive problems and gas.
In his book, Dr. O'Shea writes that "many breastfeeding parents report a connection between certain foods and their babies' gas." Some foods are hard to digest and need a more mature gut microbiome. Each parent determines the problem foods. The following are common problem foods: broccoli, onions, garlic, dairy, and onions."
Incorrect feeding technique: Babies can swallow air with their milk when positioned incorrectly during feeding or using a fast-flowing nipple.
Baby gas and discomfort can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and colic.
A baby's digestive system can take time to adjust to solid foods, leading to increased gas production when solid foods are introduced.

How can I tell if my baby is gassy?

Gassy babies may cry, fuss, and appear restless if uncomfortable.
The child may also pass gas frequently or have a bloated stomach. As well as having trouble sleeping, your baby may wake up often at night.

Your baby may be gassy if they exhibit the following signs:

Your baby may become unusually fussy or irritable if they are experiencing gas. There may be a lot of crying and difficulty calming down.
Pulling legs toward chest: Gas-affected babies often find relief by pulling their legs towards their chest. Gas trapped in the lungs can be relieved by this movement.
You may notice your baby burps frequently or spits up if they are gassy. The act of burping relieves some discomfort caused by trapped air in the stomach.
Symptoms of abdominal discomfort include a tense or distended stomach in babies experiencing gas. They may squirm or arch their backs when they try to find relief.
Feeding difficulties: Gas can make it difficult for babies to feed. They can pull away from the breast or bottle, fuss during feeding, or seem less hungry during feeding.

It's essential to remember that these signs can also be caused by hunger, fatigue, or other sources of discomfort. Your pediatrician should be consulted if your baby seems to be experiencingYour pediatrician should be consulted if your baby seems to be experiencing gas or if their symptoms persist or worsen.

What you can do to help your gassy baby

Dr. Langdon suggests massaging your belly, taking a warm bath, or transferring your legs in a gentle bicycle motion to help soothe your gassy baby.

Your baby could also be gently pulled upwards by the arms if they are older than four months and have control and balance in their head and neck.

Additional ways to relieve gas in your baby include:

After each feeding, burp your baby. Pat or gently rub your baby's back as you hold them against your shoulder or sit them upright.
Bumping gas can be alleviated, which releases trapped air in the stomach.
It may help to burp your baby during feeding if they show signs of gassy discomfort, such as switching between breasts or pausing during a bottle feed.
Adjust your baby's feeding position: If you're bottle-feeding, hold your baby in a slightly upright position to prevent them from Excess air being swallowed.
Find out which nursing position works best for your baby if you're breastfeeding. Your little one will learn what works best with a little trial and error.
Slow down feeding: If the "flow" of fluid is too high, babies tend to gulp a lot of air. Bottle-feeding babies should have slower-flowing nipples or paced feeding technique.
Several minutes before nursing, express your milk when your baby feeds; the flow of breast milk will slow down because it is fastest at letdown.
You can prevent gas buildup by feeding your baby smaller, more frequent meals than larger ones.
Your baby's digestive system is immature, so it can only digest a small amount of milk at a time. It is common for little ones to experience increased gas and discomfort due to overfeeding.
You can tell they are complete when they turn away or slow down their sucking. Feed them smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overloading their digestive system.
Gas can be relieved by gentle tummy massages that stimulate digestion.
You should burp your baby after each feeding. Your baby can be held against your shoulder or sat upright to pat or rubbed on their back gently.
By burping, trapped air can be released from the stomach, and gas can be relieved.
It may be helpful to burp your baby during a feed if your baby is experiencing gassy discomfort, such as when switching between breasts or when your baby pauses during a bottle feeding.
Hold your baby slightly upright when bottle-feeding to prevent them from swallowing excess air.
Breastfeeding mothers should experiment with different nursing positions to find the one that works best for their babies. After some trial and error, you'll find what works best for your little one.
Slow down feeding: If the "flow" of fluid is too high, babies tend to gulp a lot of air. Use a slower-flow nipple or paced feeding technique if you bottle-feed your baby.
Several minutes before nursing, express your milk when your baby feeds; the flow of breast milk will slow since it is fastest at letdown.
Prevent gas buildup by feeding your baby smaller, more frequent meals than larger ones.
It is essential to remember that your baby's digestive system is still developing, so they can only consume a system that can only absorb a small amount of milk at a time. Overfeeding can often lead to increased gas and discomfort for your little one.
They may turn their head away or slow down their sucking when complete. Avoid overloading their digestive system by offering smaller, more frequent feedings.
Gas can be relieved by gentle tummy massages that stimulate digestion.

Helping Your Gassy Baby Sleep Soundly

Giving your baby lots of tummy time and burping them after each feeding can help them relieve gas throughout the day.

Burping releases trapped air in their stomachs, reducing the likelihood of sleeping with gas in their stomachs. Pat or rub your baby's back gently until they burp, holding them upright against your shoulder or sitting them on your lap.

After feeding, avoid laying your baby flat on their back if they have gas. Gas buildup can result from this.

For around 30 minutes before putting your baby to sleep, keep them upright or slightly elevated to allow digestion. Any trapped gas can escape more efficiently and prevent acid reflux.

Lastly, babies should always sleep on their backs, flat on the ground.

The stomach position would help with gas, but there is such a high risk of SIDS that it is unsafe for babies. Given the risk of SIDS, it's worth it to get through the gassy phase while still sleeping on their backs," says Dr. O'Shea.