Gas buildup can cause discomfort and make your newborn cry, fussy and sleepless. Gas accumulates when your newborn swallows air during feeding or crying, or when intestinal bacteria break up undigested milk sugars. In addition, if you are breastfeeding, your own diet can affect gas buildup if your newborn is sensitive to some of the foods you consume. Prevent gas or ease the discomfort it causes with few simple tips.
Your Diet
Breastfed babies can develop gas if they are sensitive to something you eat. Many vegetables, including beans, peas, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, can cause gas in your newborn when the irritating molecules enter your baby's body through breast milk. If you notice your baby gets gassy after you eat certain foods, avoid these ingredients for a week to see whether it makes a difference.
Motion
When gas gets trapped in your baby's gastrointestinal tract it can make your baby uncomfortable and fussy. Gently rub your baby's belly to ease gas pain and to help remove the trapped air from the digestive tract. Carrying and rocking your baby can also help expel gas and sooth your fussy newborn.
Gas Medications
Simethicone is a gas medication that can be used to remove and ease gas pain in babies. Although simethicone can help your baby pass gas, the effectiveness of the drug is questionable. Always follow your pediatrician instructions when giving simethicone to your newborn and never exceed the recommended dose.
Feeding
It is typical your newborn swallows air when fed. Although more common in bottle-fed babies, it also occurs in breast-fed infants. Reduce the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding. Make feeding time calm and a quiet, avoid feeding lying down and stop if your newborn gets fussy and begins to cry. Feeding while your baby is fussing can cause her to swallow more air, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. When bottle-feeding, choose a nipple that has a hole not too big nor too small, to allow proper flow of milk. Eating through a large hole can increase the amount of air your newborn swallows, while using a small hole can frustrate your baby. Also use a "newborn" bottle that is designed to reduce air ingestion.
Burping
Although you can reduce the amount of air your newborn swallows, you cannot entirely prevent it. Burping your baby regularly, during and after feeding, can help remove some of the swallowed air. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you burp your baby every 2 to 3 ounces when bottle-feeding, and every time you switch breasts when breast-feeding. Also burp your baby for a period of five to 10 minutes after feeding.
References
- "Your Baby's First Year"; The American Academy of Pediatrics; 2nd edition; 2005
- Kellymom.com; My Baby is Gassy. Is This Caused by Something in my Diet?
- Drugs.com: Gas-X Infant Drops
