The first three months after birth are the time when the baby adapts physically and emotionally to the outside world. Even though he/she is exclusively breastfed, he/she may have digestive problems and his/her sleep may be irregular. The baby’s biggest discomfort during this period is gas, which is caused by the process of getting used to the world outside the mother’s womb. The baby’s gas may cause the baby to cry constantly, wake up from sleep, and cause the mother to be sleepless and restless. Here, researching the answers to the questions of why the baby has gas and how to relieve the baby’s gas makes the mother’s job easier.
Gas pains in babies can be very challenging because of their underdeveloped digestive system. Babies may experience gas pains after almost every feeding, whereas in adults they are caused by malnutrition and colds. They may also cry constantly due to the pain and discomfort caused by this pain. Of course, there are ways to reduce or alleviate gas pains that prevent the baby from sleeping, feeding and spending time peacefully. But the main thing to know is that the main factor that causes gas pains in babies is swallowing air during feeding. A cold can also cause gas pains. Starting from the newborn, it is necessary to burp and relieve the baby after feeding. So, how to relieve gas in babies?
How to Remove Gas in Babies?
Your baby may have gas pains from newborn to about one year of age. The newborn stage is the stage when gas pains are most intense and frequent. Gas occurs in the baby who swallows air while sucking on the mother or feeding from a bottle. Since the digestive system is not fully developed, gas pains are difficult for the baby. Because of the pain and restlessness, the baby cannot sleep and cries. For this reason, you should burp your baby after feeding from birth. You can apply the following basic method for burping babies with exercises.
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Feed the Baby the Right Way!
While feeding your baby according to the month with one of the options such as breastfeeding, feeding with follow-up milk or formula feeding, paying attention to some details can alleviate gas pains. For example, it is not right to feed completely lying down. It is important to hold the bottle so that it does not make air or to use a bottle that does not cause gas. During the transition to solid food, it is also important not to feed lying down and not to put the baby to bed immediately after feeding. Of course, it should be taken into account that some foods may cause more gas pains.
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Burp After Feeding!
For newborns, immediately after breastfeeding, you should position the baby so that the baby’s head is above your shoulders and gently press on the back to release the gas. For older babies, massage and light exercises may help.
How to burp a baby sleeping on the breast?
There are also methods to burp a baby who sleeps on the breast. But first, let’s go over what the mother should pay attention to during this process. During the first three months after birth, it is very important that the mother is regularly checked by a doctor and informed by a healthcare professional. Keeping the mother warm, keeping her feet warm, avoiding foods that cause gas for a while, being informed about breastfeeding mother nutrition, especially not preferring raw vegetables and fruits can prevent the baby from gas syndrome. However, despite all these measures, the baby will definitely have gas. Here, too, it is necessary to help the baby to pass gas and to comfort him/her. You can help the baby who sleeps on the breast by gently massaging the baby and removing the baby’s mouth from the breast.
How Many Minutes Does It Take for a Baby to Gas Up?
The answer to the question of how long it takes for the baby to pass gas is variable. Usually, gas pains start in the evening during the first 4 months. It can last about half an hour. To alleviate the pain, it is necessary to know the cause first. So, what are the causes of gas pain in babies?
almost every baby has gas pains. The causes of gas pains in babies are mainly due to some common causes. The first of these is that the baby’s digestive system is not fully developed. This makes it difficult for it to digest the food it receives. As the digestive system settles, the gas pains decrease. We can summarize the causes of gas pain in babies as follows;
- The excretory system is also underdeveloped, making it difficult to expel gas.
- The level of the enzyme lactase, which plays a role in the digestion of lactose, also found in breast milk, is low in newborn babies. This makes it difficult for the baby to digest breast milk or follow-up milk.
- Crying while feeding also causes the baby to swallow air. Swallowed air causes air bubbles to form in the digestive tract. The gas accumulates in the intestines. The resulting pressure makes the baby uncomfortable. It can be severe enough to wake him up from sleep.
- If the nursing mother has a cold or eats in a way that causes gas, it also disturbs the baby. Foods that cause gas in breast milk should not be consumed too much and care should be taken.
How to Gas a Colicky Baby?
About ten percent of babies develop colic as they adapt to the outside world. It can be challenging for the family to overcome the crying crises that the baby experiences at certain times of the day. A specialist doctor’s advice is important to overcome gas pain in colicky babies. The doctor may recommend some supplements to reduce the baby’s pain. They can also share some methods. You can consider the following options to alleviate crying attacks in colicky babies.
- Keeping the baby warm according to the season and putting a warm towel on the tummy can help.
- Showering the baby and then massaging with baby oil is also a very relaxing option.
- It is also good to massage in a circular motion from the rib cage to the groin.
- To stimulate the intestines, pushing the baby’s legs on the tummy helps the baby to pass gas and relax.
- In addition to the above-mentioned measures to reduce gas pains, it is also good to hug your baby, rock your baby with gentle movements in the lap, listen to sounds such as the sound of a hair dryer, turn on light and relaxing music, and sing a lullaby. Many colicky babies are also relieved when traveling in a stroller.
How to burp a newborn baby?
Burping newborn babies can be difficult for parents in the early days. In fact, gas pains are a very normal digestive system problem during this period. As the baby’s developing digestive system prepares for more efficient and easier digestion, the baby suffers from gas pains in the first months. To burp a newborn baby, after breastfeeding, you should hold the baby so that the baby’s chin touches your shoulder and massage the baby’s back. With this method, the baby usually burps and relaxes within a minute or two. The so-called book page turn is also often used to soothe the baby. Place your hands on the baby’s tummy with your thumbs touching and pretend you are smoothing the pages of a book. Repeat this a few times and the baby will relax.
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How to burp a 20-day-old baby?
burping a 20-day-old baby is similar to burping a newborn baby. Their digestive development is also similar at this stage. On the other hand, gently pulling their legs towards their tummy by bending them at the knees can also help to pass gas.
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How to burp a 2-month-old baby?
When the baby is two months old, the above-mentioned methods can be applied to pass gas. It is important to keep the baby warm and to have socks on the feet. Light abdominal and back massages are also relaxing. The most important and important issue here is not to neglect to burp the baby after feeding.
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How to burp a 6-month-old baby?
When your baby is six months old, a new feeding period begins, when you move to solid food. In fact, feeding is not the only change. The digestive system, physiology and behavior also change. It may take some time for the digestive system to adjust to this new diet. Gas pains are also a bit more intense during this period. It is good to massage your baby after feeding. A warm bath before putting your baby to sleep is also relaxing. After bathing, you can give a light massage and let your baby fall asleep without gas pains. It is also important to let your baby move enough at this stage when he/she is still crawling to reduce gas pains. Of course, he should not sit on the bare floor and catch cold.
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How to burp a 1 year old baby?
A one-year-old baby’s digestive system is relatively well developed. If he/she is still experiencing gas pains, it may be necessary to look at his/her diet. Here, it may be an option to remove some foods from the nutrition list in consultation with the specialist doctor. Allowing the baby to move around during the day and spending time outdoors will also help with gas problems.
How to Remove Baby Gas Most Easily?
The first step to burp a baby is to apply very light pressure on the stomach. For this purpose, you can follow these steps:
- Place your baby on its back and massage its back in circles. A clockwise massage can relieve gas.
- Moving the baby’s knees towards the abdomen is an effective method for the baby to pass gas.
- After feeding, holding the baby in a way that creates light pressure on the baby’s stomach also helps to release gas. Here, the baby’s chin should rest on the shoulder and the baby’s back should be rubbed.
- Placing the baby’s tummy on your leg and rubbing the baby’s back is also a useful option.
If you think your baby normally has excessive gas pains, you should consult a specialist. By examining a stool sample, palpating and taking into account the information you provide, the doctor will make a diagnosis and provide a treatment plan.
baby’s Gas Problem and Baby Bottle Selection
One of the triggers of a baby’s gas syndrome can be the use or choice of the wrong bottle. When giving milk with a bottle, the way you tilt the bottle should be at such an angle that there should be no gap in the part that comes into the mouth. This gap causes the baby to swallow air. Very long bottle types can cause more gas.
Source: Tracy Hogg & Melinde Blau – Miracle Solutions to Baby Care Problems.