To relieve gas in babies, the baby be benefits from abdominal massage and diet changes. These methods can help to reduce gas and relieve pain or discomfort the child may be experiencing.
Gas in babies is a very common problem and can appear as early as two weeks after birth. It occurs because the digestive system is still in the development process. However, it is possible to prevent or reduce gas formation, which can also help to manage cramping that usually comes with gas.
However, you are advised to take the baby to the pediatrician if the gas is accompanied by intense cramping, agitation, diarrhea, constipation, blood in the stool or vomiting. The doctor will perform an assessment to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and treat appropriately.
Tips for gas relief
Some ways to relieve gas in babies include:
1. Abdominal massage
To relieve gas, you should lightly massage the baby's belly in circular movements, as this facilitates the release of gas.
Additionally, bending the baby's knees and placing them against the belly while applying some pressure, or imitating pedaling a bicycle with the baby's legs can also help reduce the discomfort of gas in the baby.
2. Adequate preparation of formula
If the baby no longer drinks breast milk, and has progressed to milk formulas, it is important that the milk is prepared according to the instructions that appear on the milk packaging. If too much powder is added when preparing the milk, the baby may have gas and constipation as a side effect.
3. Increasing hydration
Be sure to breastfeed or formula feed babies up to six months on demand to ensure adequate hydration. As per WHO guidelines, babies up to 6 months do not need to be offered additional water, as they will obtain all the fluids necessary just through breastmilk or formula.
After 6 months, when the baby has started eating solids, you can offer sips of water between meals and throughout the day to help reduce gas and promote bowel movements.
4. Adequate preparation of porridge
Gas in babies can also be caused by porridge formulations with too much flour. Be sure to prepare the porridge with adequate amounts of water or milk, as instructed, and to vary the porridge offered. Oatmeal, for example, is high in fiber and can help to regulate bowel movements.
In addition to following these tips, it is also important to offer the baby high-fiber foods when starting solids. Great examples include vegetable and fruit purees made with pumpkin, chayote, carrots, pears or bananas.
5. Reducing gassy foods if breastfeeding
To reduce gas in a breastfed baby, the mother should try reduce the consumpetion of foods that can cause gas, like such as beans, chickpeas, peas, lentils, corn, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cucumber , turnip, onions, raw apple, avocado, melon, watermelon or eggs. Check-out a list of foods that cause gas.
6. Consulting your pediatrician
It is important to consult a pediatrician whenever the baby has excessive gas that has not improved with the above interventions.
You should additionally consult your pediatrician if excess gas is accompanied by other symptoms such as constant crying, agitation, intense cramps, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool or weight loss.
The doctor will perform a thorough assessment, identify the cause of the baby's gas and recommend the best treatment, if necessary.
