In general, it is unnecessary to treat intestinal gas in babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies naturally swallow air while crying and pass large amounts of gas through the digestive tract. This is usually a painless process and not indicative of any medical condition. However, a baby who cries for more than three hours per day may be suffering from colic, a mild but painful condition that may be worsened by the presence of excess gas. If your baby appears to be suffering from gas pains, consult his health care provider about the possible treatments.
Dietary Modification
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a breastfeeding mother's diet may cause a baby to suffer from digestive pains. Try temporarily eliminating gas-causing foods, such as broccoli, cabbage and beans, from your diet. Dairy products, onions and caffeine are other possible triggers for irritability. If you are formula-feeding your baby, his pediatrician may recommend an alternative formula.
Pressure Against Abdomen
You can enable your baby to pass gas more easily by placing gentle pressure against her abdomen. The AAP recommends laying the baby face-down across your knees and gentle tapping her back.
Burping
Young babies are incapable of belching without some degree of help. According to Mayo Clinic, parents should burp a baby during and after each feeding. If your baby is susceptible to gas and colic, you may need to burp him between feedings. This can help him to eliminate uncomfortable gas bubbles before they move lower into his digestive tract.
Gripe Water
A popular home remedy, gripe water contains a combination of gas-relieving herbs such as ginger, fennel and chamomile. A report published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine attributed gripe water's efficacy to its sweet flavor. Sugar, which is commonly used to sweeten these herbal concoctions, exerts a natural pain-relieving effect on young children. This can provide fast but temporary relief from digestive pain and colic in babies.
Simethicone
The over-the-counter drug simethicone is viewed as an ideal treatment for gas pains in adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, simethicone relieves gas symptoms such as pressure, fullness, pain and bloating. Although its effectiveness for babies remains unproven, it is extremely safe and generally associated with no side effects. Simethicone for babies may be sold under as Mylicon Infant's Drops or Phazyme Infant Drops.
