Although gas is a natural part of the digestive system, some breastfed infants can exhibit it more than others. Although it is not typically dangerous, gas can make your baby extremely uncomfortable and upset. Many factors -- such as your diet and the way that the baby is nursed -- can contribute to gas troubles.
Signs
Gas pains can develop anywhere in your infant's abdomen, abruptly switching locations in the body without notice. Your baby's stomach may feel tight and bloated. He may involuntarily pass gas through flatus or burps. Gas can cause him to squirm, arch and cry uncontrollably after or during feeding times. Besides gas, your baby may develop diarrhea soon after his feeding.
Causes
Your infant can develop gas if she swallows too much air while breast feeding, which can occur if she has problems latching on properly. Some foods, such as citrus fruits, cabbage, beans and caffeinated products can be passed through breast milk and trigger gas in your infant. Lactose intolerance -- difficulty digesting milk sugar -- can cause gas if you frequently eat dairy products such as milk, pudding and cheese. Medications can also be passed to your baby via breast milk and cause uncomfortable side effects such as gas. Your infant may suffer from lactose overload if you excrete too much foremilk, which is more difficult for her to digest.
Treatments
Carry your baby around, gently jostling him and placing pressure on his stomach as you walk. This will help push out the trapped gas bubbles. You can also place your baby on his back and move his legs up and down as if he is riding a bicycle. If your doctor approves, give your baby a gas medication such as Simethicone drops. Ask your doctor or lactation consultant to show you how your baby should be latching on if you suspect he is not latching properly.
Tips
If you suspect a certain food is triggering your baby's gas, try eliminating it from your diet for about a week to see if symptoms improve. Although it can take a lot of trial and error, removing one suspected food at a time from your diet can help you identify the culprit. To prevent your infant from getting too much foremilk, nurse her only on one breast per feeding.
References
- Parents; Baby Gas Pains; Alan Greene
- FamilyDoctor.org: Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- KidsHealth; Lactose Intolerance; November 2008
- Babycenter; Breast Milk Interactions Chart; April 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Gas and Gas Pains; April 30, 2011
- Babycenter; Will My Breastfed Baby Get Gas if I Eat Certain Foods?; Jan Barger
