Is Your Baby Crying Uncontrollably? She Might Have Too Much Gas

Babies cry uncontrollably for various reasons that parents might not always know of. One possible cause for this, however, is gas, which can be very uncomfortable and painful for your little one. Learn more about what causes gas and how you can relieve your baby’s gassiness.

What causes gas in babies?

There are various ways babies become gassy. One common cause is overactive milk letdown, specifically for breastfed babies. This occurs when your milk flows a little too quickly so your baby is forced to gulp all of it down. This can then cause her to swallow more air as she feeds and results in overfeeding.

A shallow latch is another possible cause. This can prevent your baby from getting the milk she needs and cause her to take in more air while feeding, leading to gassiness. Parents also says that babies can swallow air when they’re crying.

Gas can cause your baby’s stomach to expand and become painful, which can then cause her to become fussy and cry uncontrollably for hours.

How to relieve gas in your baby

Burp her

If you hear a drum-like sound when you tap your baby’s tummy gently, that might mean she is gassy. One way to help her relieve gas is to burp her regularly. In a 2011 article for SmartParenting.com.ph, Dr. Ina Atutubo recommends burping breastfed babies every five to 10 minutes of feeding and bottle-fed babies after every ounce of milk.

Parents suggests some good positions for burping your baby, like supporting her upright on your shoulder and laying her on her tummy across your lap and rubbing and patting her back. Click here for other positions you can try.

Massage her

Romper suggests gently rubbing your baby’s belly in circular motions and “bicycling” her legs, which board-certified pediatrician Dr. Cherily Cecchini says helps move the contents in your baby’s digestive tract along and encourage her to pass gas.

Another thing you can do: Cup your hands under your baby’s knees and fold her legs against her belly. Once you hear a toot, it means you were able to successfully relieve your baby’s gas.

Avoid gassy foods

A mother’s diet can also be a cause of gas, especially if you consume gassy foods such as raw broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage. Try to avoid foods such as these or limit your consumption of them.

Find the right feeding position

To avoid a shallow latch, lightly touch your nipple to your baby’s upper lip, then when she opens her mouth wide, bring her close to you so that she takes a big mouthful of breast and latches deeply.

Prevent overactive milk letdown by hand-expressing your milk, which will reduce the pressure on your breast. You can also try nursing in a reclined position, like lying on your back or sitting in a reclined chair.

Also, try to position your baby in such a way that her head is higher than her stomach so that the milk goes to the bottom of her stomach and the air goes to the top, WebMD says. For bottle-fed babies, tip the bottle up slightly to avoid air bubbles in the nipple.

One celebrity who opened up about undergoing breastfeeding issues and gassiness in her baby is Sitti. Click here to read her story.