There could be a lot of reasons why your baby is fussy when bedtime rolls around. One of the biggest ones could be gas. Gassy babies are usually fussy babies, which makes sleep elusive.
Gas is tiny bubbles in their stomach and intestines. While in adults this doesn’t cause pain in normal circumstances, in little ones, the gas can cause pressure and be uncomfortable. This is nothing to worry about and no reason to rush them to the doctor. However, gas can be a reason why some babies cry for hours and struggle to settle down.
Causes Of Gas In Babies
Gas is part of being a human, and there are a few causes behind excessive gas in babies:
Incorrect Breastfeeding Latch
Your baby can swallow too much air while breastfeeding if the latch is incorrect. They should take a lot of your areola into their mouth, with their bottom lip and jaw covering more of the bottom of the areola, and their chin touching your breast.
Click here for more on how to get the perfect latch.
Crying
What comes first: Crying, or gas? Excessive crying can cause gas in babies because they swallow a ton of air while crying. Then, gas can cause crying. Try and soothe your baby and get to the root of their sobs.
Click here to find out how to decode your crying baby.
Digestive Issues
Constipation can come with gas. Constipation isn’t necessarily cause for immediate concern, as there are a few ways to help relieve it in babies. However, visit your healthcare provider if it happens often.
Click here for tips on how to help your baby with constipation.
Symptoms Of Gas In Babies
There are a few ways to tell whether or not your baby is gassy besides excessive crying:
- Arching their back
- Lots of wriggling
- Lifting their legs
- Fussiness
Luckily, there are tips to help your little one relieve gas and relax into dreamland.
4 Home Remedies For A Gassy Baby
- Gentle Massage
A massage can help your baby relax and relieve any gas that has built up. You can either gently rub their belly in a clockwise direction, or move their legs in a bicycle motion.
- Burp Your Baby Often
You can burp your baby before, during, and after feeding to release any air they may have swallowed.
- Make Sure The Latch And Bottle Position Are Correct
A proper latch while breastfeeding is key. This is to avoid pain for the breastfeeding mama, and ensure the baby is feeding efficiently. If you’re bottle feeding, hold the bottle in a way to keep milk in the nipple. Some babies also do better with a slow flow nipple on their bottle.
- Let Them Play
Make sure to include tummy time in your baby’s wake window. Lay a blanket or playmat on the floor and surround them with toys. The pressure of laying on their belly can help release trapped gas. Also, tummy time boosts healthy muscle development.
When it comes to getting your newborn to sleep, fussiness, crying, and not being able to figure out exactly what’s going on can seriously steal your joy…
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