If you’ve ever paced the room with a fussy baby, wondering if gas is the culprit, you’re not alone. Gas discomfort is one of the most common issues parents face with their newborns and infants. While some gas is normal, excessive gas can make your baby uncomfortable, disrupt sleep, and leave you feeling helpless.

The good news? There are gentle, practical ways to relieve gas and help your baby feel better. Here’s what you need to know.

What Causes Gas in Babies?

Gas in babies is often caused by swallowing air during feeds, immature digestive systems, or sensitivity to certain foods. Because newborns are still developing so much and learning how to eat effectively, they can often have issues with gas.

Common causes include:

• • Feeding too quickly or too slowly
  • Shallow latch during breastfeeding
  • Air bubbles in bottles
  • Ingesting air while crying
  • Sensitivity to certain formula ingredients or foods through breastmilk

Signs Your Baby May Be Gassy

• • Fussiness, especially after feeds
  • Arching back or pulling legs to chest
  • Bloated tummy
  • Passing gas frequently
  • Trouble settling or sleeping

How to Relieve Gas in Babies

• • Burp Often and Properly: Stop and burp every 5min for up to 5 min, especially during the first 3-6 months. Try different burping positions: over the shoulder, sitting upright, slide burp or lying face down across your lap.
  • Feed Fully and Slowly: Ensuring your baby is getting full feedings can reduce gas and improve overall feeding and sleep patterns. Having shorter smaller feeds can increase the chance of swallowing air leading to more gas. If bottle feeding, use an age-approriate nipple to ensure they’re feeding easily and not stopping often, out of frustration, and swallowing more air.
  • Check the Latch: For breastfeeding moms, ensure your baby has a deep latch to minimize air intake. If you need to break the latch, you can insert a finger into their mouth to get them to unlatch gently and try again. If you need help establishing a proper latch, seeking support from a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist® can be life-changing (and can be covered by many insurance companies)
  • Tummy Time: Allowing your baby to spend time on their tummy helps relieve gas by putting gentle pressure on their stomach. In the first few weeks, you may only get to this 1x per day which is perfectly fine! Fit it in when you can without putting too much pressure on yourself.
  • Bicycle Legs: Gently move your baby’s legs in a bicycle motion to help move trapped gas through their digestive system.
  • Massage: A gentle clockwise massage on your baby’s tummy can aid digestion and help release trapped gas.

When to Contact Your Pediatrician

While gas is typically normal, consult your doctor if your baby:

• • Is excessively fussy and nothing seems to help
  • Has a hard, swollen belly
  • Vomits frequently
  • Shows signs of discomfort with every feed

How full feedings® can help

We know that feeding struggles and sleep disruptions often go hand in hand. That’s why we created the Full Feedings Method®—to help parents meet their baby’s feeding needs fully during the day, so sleep naturally follows.

Our online programs cover everything from:

• How to establish and maintain full feedings
• Age-appropriate routines to prevent over tiredness
• Supporting your baby’s digestive comfort, from gas relief to reflux support

If you need more help:

Infant & Toddler Sleep Programs: Learn our simple 3-step, no cry-it-out method to achieve consistent nighttime sleep.

Breastfeeding Basics & Bottle Feeding Basics: Self-paced feeding programs to support your feeding journey and troubleshoot issues like gas and latch problems.

1:1 Lactation Consultation: Email hellomilk@fullerfeedings.com to schedule a personalized call with our Certified Breastfeeding Specialists®.

1:1 Sleep Consultation: Work privately with one of our sleep consultants by emailing hellosleep@fullfeedings.com.

To explore our online programs, click HERE and take the first step toward better feeding, better sleep, and a happier baby.