Infant intestinal gas is a common issue for babies, such as:

• Restlessness and difficulty calming down when not tired or hungry, twisting the body, with a face turning red;
• A bloated belly that produces a “thumping” sound like a drum when gently patted;
• Restless sleep, frequent night awakenings, which may be alleviated by airplane holding or abdominal massage.

Infant intestinal gas often results from the immature digestive system of babies, leading to discomfort, crying, and restlessness. Understanding the causes and learning effective ways to alleviate these symptoms can provide relief for your little one.

Do all babies experience intestinal gas?

Given individual differences, not all babies will experience intestinal gas, nor is it limited to the first 3 or 4 months. Different babies may show different signs.

Main causes of intestinal gas:

(1) The baby’s gastrointestinal tract is not yet fully developed. Many digestive enzymes are secreted in smaller amounts and have lower activity, leading to weaker digestion and absorption capabilities, causing gas and frequent flatulence after feeding.

(2) Swallowing too much air. Babies might swallow a lot of air when feeding from a bottle with a nipple that is either too small or too large; improper breastfeeding posture; crying, etc., can lead to intestinal gas.

(3) Diet. If the mother consumes a large amount of gas-producing foods such as beans, onions, fruits, sweet potatoes, soda, etc., it might cause intestinal gas in the baby. Additionally, milk is the main food for young babies, and lactose intolerance can make intestinal gas more pronounced.

(4) Inappropriate lifestyle habits. Frequent use of disinfectants at home can disrupt the balance of intestinal flora, affecting gut health and exacerbating intestinal gas.

How to alleviate intestinal gas?

Intestinal gas isn’t scary. With proper care and helping the baby to relieve discomfort, it usually resolves naturally with growth and development. Parents can do the following:

1. Pay attention to feeding methods
   If breastfeeding, ensure the baby grasps the correct way to latch on, covering the entire nipple and most of the areola.
   If bottle-feeding, ensure the nipple’s hole size is appropriate. When holding the bottle, let the milk fill the nipple completely before putting it in the baby’s mouth to prevent air intake.
   Additionally, let the formula settle for a moment after mixing to reduce air bubbles.
2. Help the baby burp by themselves
   After each feeding, sit at a 45° angle with the baby lying on your chest in a “heart to heart” position, with the head higher than the mother’s shoulder. Maintain this position for about 15 minutes to help the baby burp and expel swallowed air.
3. Abdominal massage
   During the massage, support the baby’s legs with one hand, slightly bending them, and with the other hand’s index, middle, and ring fingers, gently circle around the baby’s navel in a clockwise direction. This helps stimulate intestinal movement and gas expulsion.
4. Allow the baby to lie on their stomach or use airplane holding
   Both methods apply some pressure to the abdomen, helping to expel gas and make the baby comfortable.
5. Pay attention to diet
   Breastfeeding mothers should note if they’ve consumed gas-inducing foods and reduce such intake. If the baby has lactose intolerance, consider adding lactase supplements or switching to lactose-free formula.
6. Adjust lifestyle
   Avoid using disinfectants and related products, including hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and bottle cleaning fluid, to prevent disrupting the intestinal flora.

In conclusion, babies can’t express their feelings through words, and new parents may not have enough experience to accurately identify intestinal gas. Comforting the baby by feeding when they cry can increase the gastrointestinal burden and worsen intestinal gas.

Therefore, if the baby shows discomfort for an extended period or the above methods are ineffective, it’s advised to consult a doctor to identify the cause promptly.