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If your newborn is feeling any discomfort, it can result in wailing and irritation. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to figure out their source of their discomfort. One of the common causes gas. Since their digestive system isn’t very strong yet, it is very common for newborns to experience gas. Here are some causes of gas and ways to help relieve the problem.
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What gives newborns gas?
1. Mother’s diet:
One of the most common causes of gas in a newborn is the mother’s diet, as that can impact the breastmilk she produces. If the mother is eating a lot of vegetables and beans, it can result in gas in the mother and the newborn.
2. Formula reaction:
If you baby is intolerant to or not able to digest their formula, it can result in gas and bloating. Generally speaking, if the formula is the problem, it can result in diarrhea as well.
3. Swallowing air while eating:
Whether the newborn is bottle-fed or breastfed, there is always a possibility that the newborn might swallow air along with their milk. When that happens, the newborn can suffer from gas.
How to avoid gas
1. Proper bottle position:
Improper bottle position can lead to your baby ingesting a lot of air. The best way to avoid this is to tilt the bottle up. When that happens, the air will rise upwards, and there will be only milk near the nipple. Another option is to store the milk in collapsible bags. While storing the milk, you can push out all of the air and make it easier to keep your little one from getting gas.
2. Proper lip position:
Many times, the bottle is not a problem. The problem is how the baby’s lips seal around the bottle. If there is a large gap, a lot of air can get into their mouth. With a bottle, you have to ensure that the baby’s lips are near the base of the nipple and not near the tip. That will create an effective latch and eliminate the ingestion of air. While breastfeeding, make sure that the baby’s lips seal the areola with minimal gap.
3. Burping:
Another way to avoid gas is to make the baby burp. You should burp your baby before and after the feeding. When you do so, you can eliminate the air that has gotten into their system before it gets trapped in their digestive system and causes discomfort.
The positions in which you can make the baby burp include:
Place the baby against your shoulder:
When you place the baby against your shoulder in the upright position, burping will be easy. Use one hand to support your baby’s bottom, and the other hand should be patting or rubbing their back.
Sitting position:
Sit your baby down and lean them forward slightly. Support their back and head while you rub their back.
4. Paced feeding:
Paced feeding is the process in which you let the baby decide how much milk they want. Make sure that the baby’s lips are well-sealed around the base of the nipple. The baby should sit almost upright, and the bottle should be held horizontally. That way, your baby can easily control the flow of the milk.
If you want to provide complete relief for your newborn’s gas, you have several options.
1. Gas drops:
There are numerous gas drops available for newborns. They work with the baby’s digestive system to better break down the air bubbles trapped inside and relieve potential gas pains.
2. Gripe water:
Many pediatricians recommend gripe water as a solution to gas problems. It is a liquid that you can easily buy over the counter that consists of various herbs like ginger, lemon balm, peppermint, fennel, and many others. These help the digestive system of the baby and reduce the gas pain. Gripe water is a time-tested remedy to help newborns pass gas and aid the digestive system, though it is not recommended for children under 1 month old.
3. Change formula:
As we have highlighted above, the formula you feed the baby might not sit well in their system. A great way to stop newborns from having gas is to change their formula to something that is easier to digest.
4. Swap bottles:
Like we said before, if your baby can’t properly latch onto their bottle, they can ingest a lot of air. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that the baby latches at the base of the nipple rather than at the tip. If the shape of the nipple doesn’t work well for your baby, the best solution is to swap the bottles altogether.
Gas is a common problem that can be painful for babies. However, there are ways to both prevent and treat gas pains so that you and your baby can be happier and more comfortable.
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