Easing Gas Pains for a Calmer Baby
Ah, newborn life-a magical time filled with sweet baby cuddles, tiny yawns, and, of course, an endless symphony of grunts, squeaks, and that unmistakable sound of… gas. Yes, folks, those sweet little bundles of joy can pack quite a punch in the tummy-trouble department!
If you’re sitting there bleary-eyed at 2 a.m., worried about your baby's discomfort and wondering if all this gassiness is normal, you’re not alone. I’m Kristin, a postpartum doula, and after 30 years of helping families navigate the ups and downs of newborn life, I’m here to reassure you that gas is a normal part of this journey. And while it’s normal, there are some tried-and-true tricks for soothing those belly woes (and maybe getting you both a bit more sleep).
So, let’s dive into the art of de-gassing that little one, where we can embrace the grunts and squeaks—and hopefully quiet them a bit. A settled tummy for your baby means a smoother, happier day for everyone!
Download My Free Guide: "Overwhelmed to Empowered: Understanding Your Baby's Cues and Creating a Flexible Schedule"
to help distinguish between true gas pain and other possible reasons your little one is crying.
Managing Gassy Babies: What’s Normal and Tips to Relieve Discomfort
While it’s perfectly normal for babies to pass gas, the discomfort it can cause often leads to fussy, restless, and crying little ones. Knowing what’s normal and how to help your baby through gassy moments can bring relief to both of you.
Why Are Babies So Gassy?
Babies have immature digestive systems, which means they’re still learning how to break down milk, formula, or breast milk effectively. Additionally, they tend to swallow air while feeding, crying, or sucking on a pacifier. This combination of factors can lead to trapped gas in the stomach or intestines, causing discomfort.
While gas is common in babies and usually not a cause for concern, understanding the root causes can help you manage it better:
- Feeding Techniques: Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, babies often swallow air during feedings. Poor latching, fast-flow nipples, or gulping too quickly can all contribute to extra air intake.
- Crying: Crying itself can cause babies to swallow air, which then gets trapped in their digestive system.
- Dietary Sensitivities: For breastfed babies, certain foods in the mother’s diet (like dairy, caffeine, or spicy foods) can cause gassiness. Formula-fed babies might experience gas due to difficulty digesting certain ingredients.
What’s Normal?
Passing gas, whether through burps or flatulence, is a normal bodily function for babies, just like it is for adults. Most babies will pass gas 13-21 times a day! Some babies are more sensitive to gas buildup, which may lead to fussiness, while others hardly seem to notice.
Normal Signs of Gassiness Include:
- Occasional fussiness after feeding
- Brief periods of Tummy discomfort that improve after gas release
- No other significant signs of illness like fever, vomiting, or refusal to eat
If your baby is gassy but still feeding well, gaining weight, and generally content between gassy episodes, there’s usually nothing to worry about.
However, if you notice prolonged crying (more than 2-3 hours), poor weight gain, or signs of distress beyond gassiness, you should consult your pediatrician.
Download My Free Guide if you're struggling to find the cause of your baby's crying. Learning their cues may help find relief!
Is It Real Pain or Just Discomfort?
It’s usually not true pain in the medical sense, though it looks distressing. What’s happening is a mix of:
- Immature coordination – The brain-gut connection isn’t fully developed, so babies haven’t yet learned how to contract their tummy muscles and relax their pelvic floor at the same time.
- Gas pressure – As gas builds, babies feel intense pressure they don’t know how to release.
- Lying flat – Babies aren’t upright and can’t move around much during sleep, which slows digestion.
- Parent hyper-awareness – Middle-of-the-night noises are amplified, and it’s easy to worry something’s wrong.
So while your baby appears to be in pain—grunting, straining, squirming—it’s usually transient, functional discomfort that’s part of normal development. Their body is simply figuring out how to move things through.
That doesn’t mean they’re suffering silently. Your comfort and presence help regulate their stress. Offering support—even just a hand on their belly or soothing voice—can make a big difference.
Why It’s Worse at Night
Let’s break down why your baby seems especially gassy or uncomfortable overnight:
- Slower Gut Motility at Night – Like adults, babies’ digestive movement slows during sleep. Milk still needs to be digested, but the process is slower, causing more gas and stool to accumulate.
- Increased Fermentation – As milk breaks down (especially in breastfed babies), it can ferment slightly in the intestines. With an immature microbiome, some babies create more gas in this process.
- Lying Flat – Without gravity’s help, babies lying flat can’t move gas along as easily.
- Active Sleep (REM)
– Babies spend about 50% of sleep in REM, where they grunt, squirm, and twitch. This is when gas often shifts and passes, which is good, but noisy and unsettling to watch.
Can You Fix It?
Not entirely. You can’t “fix” a maturing GI system—but you can support it in ways that make your baby more comfortable:
- Burp frequently
– Mid-feed and after feeds
- Tummy time – Encourages core strength and natural gas movement
- Upright holding – Especially after feeding or in a carrier
- Gentle massage or bicycle legs
– Helps gas move through the intestines
- Calm sleep environment
– Reduces stimulation and helps digestion
- Ask your pediatrician about probiotics
– These may help some babies, especially if they have frequent gas or
colic
Tips to Relieve Gas and Discomfort
While gassiness is normal, there are several ways you can help relieve your baby’s discomfort when gas becomes an issue.
1. Burp During and After Feedings
Burping is a simple and effective way to help prevent gas buildup. Try burping your baby mid-feeding as well as after they finish. This helps release any trapped air swallowed during feeding.
How to Burp Your Baby:
- Hold them upright over your shoulder and gently pat their back.
- Sit them on your lap and support their chin while patting their back.
- Lay them face down across your lap and rub or pat their back gently.
2. Change Feeding Positions
The position in which you feed your baby can influence how much air you swallow. Try to keep your baby's head elevated above their stomach during feeding, as this can help milk flow more smoothly and reduce air intake.
If you're breastfeeding, ensure a good latch to minimize swallowed air. For bottle-feeding, choose slow-flow nipples to prevent gulping too quickly and use a bottle feeding
3. Tummy Time
Tummy time isn’t just great for your baby’s development—it can also help release trapped gas. The pressure on their belly encourages gas to pass more easily. You can place your baby on their tummy for a few minutes a few times a day to help with digestion and gas release.
4. Bicycle Kicks
If your baby seems uncomfortable due to gas, gentle “bicycle kicks” can help relieve it. Lay your baby on their back and gently move their legs in a bicycling motion. This helps move the gas through their intestines and often provides quick relief.
5. Belly Massage
A gentle belly massage can also help your baby release trapped gas. Using soft, circular motions, massage your baby’s tummy clockwise. You can also try the “I Love You” massage, where you trace the letters I, L, and U on your baby’s belly to follow the direction of the intestines and help move gas along.
6. Use Gripe Water or Gas Drops
If your baby struggles with persistent gas, you might consider using gripe water or gas drops. These are over-the-counter remedies that some parents find helpful in soothing gas-related discomfort.
Be sure to consult your pediatrician before introducing any new supplements or remedies to ensure they’re safe for your baby.
7. Adjust Feeding or Diet
If you’re breastfeeding, it might be helpful to adjust your own diet if you suspect certain foods are causing your baby’s gas. Common culprits include dairy, caffeine, spicy foods, and certain vegetables (like broccoli or cabbage). Eliminating these from your diet for a short time may help you determine if they’re contributing to the problem.
For bottle-fed babies, you may want to experiment with different formulas if gas is persistent. Some babies are sensitive to certain ingredients, and switching to a gentler or hypoallergenic formula might help reduce gas.
When to Call the Pediatrician
While most gas-related discomfort is normal, there are a few signs to watch out for that might indicate something more serious.
Contact your pediatrician if your baby:
- Seems to be in severe pain and is inconsolable
- Is refusing to eat or having trouble feeding
- Is vomiting or has diarrhea along with gassiness
- Is not gaining weight as expected
Your pediatrician can help rule out any underlying issues, such as reflux or food allergies, and offer additional guidance on managing gas.
Conclusion
Gassiness is a common part of life with a newborn, and while it’s messy, noisy, and sometimes frustrating, it’s rarely a cause for concern. With time, your baby’s digestive system will mature, and these moments will pass (literally and figuratively!).
You’re doing a wonderful job, especially on the gassy days. Let me help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed as you support your baby through every squirm and grunt.
If you’re feeling unsure or exhausted, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I offer in-home and virtual postpartum support to help you navigate newborn feeding, sleep, digestion, and everything in between—with compassion, clarity, and care.
Gassiness is a common part of life with a newborn, and while it’s messy, noisy, and sometimes frustrating, it’s rarely a cause for concern. With time, your baby’s digestive system will mature, and these moments will pass (literally and figuratively!).
You’re doing a wonderful job, especially on the gassy days. Let me help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed as you support your baby through every squirm and grunt.
Visit
www.westernctdoula.com to learn more or
book a virtual consultation. Let’s navigate this special time together!
Download my Free Guide:
"Overwhelmed to Empowered - Understanding Your Baby's Cues & Creating a Flexible Routine" to gain more insight into what your baby is trying to tell you.
