How to Help a Baby Pass Gas

Relieve a baby's gas before it becomes painful for the infant.

For parents, few things are worse than the sound of a baby shrieking with gas pain. Gas is common in infants, especially in the first few months, as their digestive tracts mature. Getting any air out before it moves down the digestive tract can help. However, simply burping your baby does not always relieve her gas problem, especially if something is causing the gassiness farther down the intestinal tract.

Instructions

Burp During and After Feedings

1. Hold your baby upright against your shoulder or sit her up so she is leaning forward slightly with your hand against her stomach.

2. Lightly pat or rub the baby's back until she burps.

3. Pat or rub the baby's back again to help her burp again.

Bicycle Legs

1. Lay the baby on her back.

2. Gently grip the baby's ankles in each of your hands.

3. "Pedal" her legs as though she were riding a bicycle. Be sure to gently push her thighs into her abdomen as you do so. Repeat a few times.

4. Gently push both of her knees into her abdomen.

5. Listen for the sound of passing gas. Repeat if necessary.

Tummy Massage

1. Lay the baby on her back.

2. With a firm, flat hand, stroke downward across the baby's abdomen, alternating hands. Repeat a few times.

3. Put your palms together over the baby's abdomen, fingers pointing toward her head, and open your hands as you gently press down and outward across her abdomen. Repeat a few times.

4. Gently bring the baby's knees to her chest.

5. Listen for the sound of passing gas. Repeat if necessary.

Bend the Baby

1. Lay the baby flat on her back. Loosen the diaper slightly to keep the waistband from cutting into the baby's abdomen.

2. Grip the baby's ankles in your hand.

3. Gently bring the baby's ankles to her head. The baby should appear to be "folded" in half, and her bottom should rise slightly into the air.

4. Listen for the sound of passing gas.

Tips & Warnings

• If the baby has little or no head control, be sure to support the baby's head when burping her.

• Burp the baby partway through a feeding --- when the baby has finished nursing on one breast or is halfway through a bottle.

• Practice these techniques when your baby is calm. The baby might resist if she is having a lot of gas pain.

• Bending the baby works best if you have already massaged the baby's abdomen or bicycled the baby's legs.

• If the baby seems to be in a lot of pain that is not relieved by passing gas, check with your health care provider.

• If your baby is very gassy (to the point of not sleeping, being in pain and being very fussy), check with your health care provider.

References

• Ask Dr. Sears: Fussy Baby: Comforting the Fussy Baby
• Today's Parent: The Gassy Baby

Resources

• Babies Today: Newborn Health: Gas Pains and Babies