Trapped Gas After Birth? 7 Instant Ways To Relieve The Pain

Before you can solve the problem, you need to be sure what you’re looking at. Babies have a limited number of ways to say, “Hey, something doesn’t feel right!” Crying is their go-to communication tool for everything from hunger to a wet diaper. However, gas pain often has a few distinct characteristics. Learning to spot them can help you respond more effectively.

Common Signs of Trapped Gas:

• Sudden, Intense Crying: This isn’t usually a slow-building fuss. Gas pain often causes a sudden, high-pitched, and sometimes inconsolable cry, almost like a shriek. It can often happen after a feeding.
• Body Language Clues: Your baby is talking to you with their whole body. Look for them arching their back, pulling their knees tightly up to their chest, and then stretching out again. They might also clench their little fists and squirm uncomfortably.
• A Hard, Bloated Tummy: Gently place your hand on your baby’s belly. If it feels firm, distended, or tight to the touch, it could be a sign of trapped gas bubbles. A soft, doughy belly is usually a happy belly.
• Passing Gas (or Trying To): This one might seem obvious, but you may notice your baby is audibly passing gas (tooting!) and seems much more content afterward. Conversely, they might grunt and strain as if trying to pass gas or have a bowel movement, but with little success.
• Fussiness During or After Feedings: While some fussiness can be normal, if your baby frequently pulls away from the breast or bottle, cries, and seems agitated during or immediately after a meal, they might be swallowing air and creating gas bubbles in real-time.

Remember, you know your baby best. If their cries and behavior seem different from their usual ‘I’m hungry’ or ‘I’m tired’ fussiness, and you’re seeing these physical signs, trapped gas is a very likely suspect.

It can be frustrating when you feel like you’re doing everything right, yet your baby is still so gassy. Please don’t blame yourself! The primary reasons for newborn gas have very little to do with parenting mistakes and everything to do with brand-new biology.

An Immature Digestive System

This is the number one cause. Your baby’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract is still developing. The muscles that move food along aren’t fully coordinated yet, and they don’t have all the beneficial gut bacteria that adults have to aid digestion. This inefficiency means that milk (both breast milk and formula) can sometimes ferment before it’s fully digested, creating gas as a byproduct.

Swallowing Too Much Air

Babies are not yet pros at eating. They often swallow air along with their milk, which then gets trapped in their tummy. This can happen in several ways:

• During Crying: A baby crying hysterically gulps down huge amounts of air. This can create a vicious cycle: the baby feels gas pain, cries hard, swallows more air, and gets more gas pain.
• During Bottle-Feeding: If the nipple flow is too fast, your baby may gulp to keep up. An improperly angled bottle can also allow air into the nipple.
• During Breastfeeding: A shallow latch is a common culprit. If the baby isn’t latched deeply onto the areola, they may suck in air around the nipple with every swallow. An overactive letdown (when milk flows very fast) can also cause them to gulp and swallow air.

Sensitivities and Digestion

While less common, sometimes what you or your baby is consuming can play a role. For breastfed babies, certain foods in the mother’s diet (like dairy, cruciferous vegetables, or caffeine) can sometimes cause gas in a sensitive infant. For formula-fed babies, an intolerance to a specific protein (like cow’s milk protein) in the formula could be the issue.

Important Note: Before making any drastic changes to your diet or your baby’s formula, it is crucial to speak with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant. Unnecessary dietary restrictions can be stressful and may not be the solution.

When your baby is wailing, you want solutions that work now. Here are seven tried-and-true techniques, approved by pediatric professionals and loved by parents everywhere. Find a few that work best for you and your little one.

1. Master the Bicycle Legs & Tummy Tucks

   This is a classic for a reason! The gentle motion helps physically move the gas bubbles through the intestines. Lay your baby on their back on a soft, flat surface. Gently grasp their ankles and move their legs in a circular ‘bicycling’ motion. After about 10-15 cycles, gently press both of their knees up towards their tummy and hold for about 10 seconds. This ‘tummy tuck’ can help release a pocket of gas. Repeat the cycle a few times.

2. Try the ‘I Love U’ Tummy Massage

   A gentle, clockwise tummy massage can work wonders by stimulating the bowels to move gas along. The clockwise direction follows the natural path of your baby’s intestines. Use a baby-safe lotion or oil to reduce friction. Trace the letter ‘I’ down your baby’s left side. Then, trace an ‘L’ shape, going across the belly from right to left, and then down the left side. Finally, trace an upside-down ‘U’, starting at their lower right side, moving up and across the belly, and down the left side. Repeat this ‘I-L-U’ sequence several times.

3. Perfect Your Burping Technique

   Burping isn’t just for after the feed! If your baby seems fussy during a feed, they may already have a trapped air bubble. Try burping them mid-way through. Experiment with different positions to see what’s most effective:

   • Over the Shoulder: The classic hold. Ensure their tummy is pressed gently against your shoulder.
   • Sitting on Your Lap: Sit your baby on your lap, facing away from you. Lean them forward slightly, using one hand to support their chest and head while you pat their back with the other.
   • Face Down Across Your Lap: Lay your baby tummy-down across your knees. This position applies gentle pressure to their abdomen while you pat their back.

4. Use the ‘Colic Carry’ or ‘Gas Hold’

   This hold is a lifesaver for many parents. Lay your baby face-down along your forearm, with their head nestled in the crook of your elbow and their legs straddling your hand. Your arm will apply gentle, comforting pressure to their belly. You can rock them gently in this position or walk around the room. The combination of pressure and movement is incredibly soothing.

5. Introduce Warmth and Water

   Just like a warm bath soothes your aching muscles, it can do the same for your baby’s tense tummy. The warm water helps relax their abdominal muscles, which can allow them to release trapped gas more easily. If it’s not bath time, you can try a warm compress. Soak a soft washcloth in warm (not hot!) water, wring it out, and place it on your baby’s bare tummy for a few minutes.

6. Ask Your Doctor About Gas Drops

   Over-the-counter infant gas drops containing simethicone are available and are generally considered safe. They work by breaking up large gas bubbles into smaller ones that are easier for your baby to pass.

   Safety First: While these drops are widely used, you should always consult your pediatrician before giving your baby any medication or supplement, including gas drops. They can confirm the correct dosage and ensure there are no other underlying issues.

7. Adjust the Feeding Environment

   Sometimes, small changes to how you feed can make a big difference. For bottle-fed babies, try ‘paced bottle feeding’—holding the bottle horizontally so your baby has to work for the milk, rather than letting gravity do the work. This mimics breastfeeding and reduces gulping. Using a slow-flow nipple or a bottle designed to reduce air intake (like those with vents or angled tops) can also be a game-changer.

While most cases of newborn gas are completely normal and manageable at home, there are times when fussiness and crying can signal something more serious. It’s essential to know the red flags. Trust your parental instincts; if something feels wrong, it’s always best to get a professional opinion.

Please contact your pediatrician or seek medical care immediately if your baby’s gas and fussiness are accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• Fever: A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a newborn is always a reason to call the doctor.
• Changes in Stool: Any sign of blood in the stool, or stool that is hard and pellet-like (constipation), warrants a medical evaluation.
• Forceful Vomiting: We’re not talking about a little spit-up. Projectile or forceful vomiting, especially if the vomit is yellow or green, needs immediate attention.
• Refusal to Feed: If your baby is consistently refusing to eat or is eating significantly less than usual, it’s a cause for concern.
• Extreme Lethargy or Irritability: If your baby is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, or is truly inconsolable for hours on end despite your best efforts, you should have them checked out.
• Signs of Dehydration: Fewer than six wet diapers in a 24-hour period, a sunken soft spot on their head, or crying without tears are signs of dehydration.

These signs can indicate issues beyond simple gas, such as an infection, a blockage, or a severe allergy. Your pediatrician is your partner in your baby’s health, and they are there to help you navigate these worries.