What does it mean that the baby has air or gas?
This means that air accumulates in the baby’s stomach, which happens largely while swallowing during feeding, but also occurs when crying and even while breathing. This air can make the baby feel full before having taken enough milk, and it can also cause a lot of discomfort.
How will I know if the baby has swallowed too much air?
Some babies swallow a lot of air while feeding and need to burp after every feeding. Others seem not to be affected by this problem and rarely have air. Your baby may have swallowed too much air if he or she resists taking the second breast or lets go of the bottle and starts crying. You might notice a painful expression on their face, and they may start to contract or writhe, especially if you try to lay them down after feeding.
Do breastfed babies also get gas? Babies who breastfeed usually have fewer problems with gas in the stomach than babies who are bottle-fed. This is because they control the milk flow from the breast themselves and suck more slowly, swallowing less air with the milk. Another reason is that they often eat smaller amounts more frequently, and can be fed in a more upright position, both of which reduce the amount of air swallowed. However, even if you are breastfeeding your baby, you will likely need to burp them, especially if they eat very quickly or your milk flows very fast.
What can I do to help my baby swallow less air when bottle-feeding?
The way the milk flows from a bottle can make the baby swallow air between sucks. You can help reduce air swallowing by giving the bottle in the most vertical position possible and making sure to tilt it enough so that the milk fully covers the base of the nipple.
How do I make my baby burp?
If you see your baby is swallowing quickly, don’t interrupt feeding to burp them. They will probably cry and swallow even more air. Take advantage of natural pauses, like when you switch the baby from one breast to the other, or when they naturally release the bottle nipple. When they finish feeding, burp them again. One of the most effective ways is to gently pat or rub their back. (Remember that along with air, the baby may spit up a little milk, so always have a cloth or gauze diaper handy to protect your clothes.) There are three common positions to burp babies. Try them all, as each baby will respond better to one than the others.
- Over the shoulder: Place the baby over your shoulder, holding them with the arm on that side. In this position, the baby’s body will be stretched and upright, which makes it easier to release air. Use your other hand to gently pat or rub their back.
- Sitting up: Sit the baby on your lap with their body leaning forward, chin resting on your hand, and body supported by your arm. Pat or rub their back gently with your other hand.
- Face down on your lap: Sit down and lay the baby face down on your legs. Hold them firmly with one hand and rub or pat their back with the other.
Why do some babies have a harder time burping than others?
If after a few minutes your little one still hasn’t burped, it probably means they don’t need to. However, some babies have a hard time burping and get very uncomfortable, so you should be persistent. Possibly due to immaturity of their digestive system, the air continues into the intestines, making it harder to come up. You might need to increase the intensity of pats and try several positions until you hear a good burp. Also, some babies seem to release air only through hiccups.
Any recommendations?
If the baby has a lot of air or gas, your pediatrician might recommend a special medicine that can also treat colic. Some of these medicines have an "anti-foam" effect and work by making the gas come out in larger bubbles instead of many small bubbles that can get trapped in the stomach. Anise water and other herbal infusions are old home remedies that supposedly help expel gas. The problem is that no other liquids are recommended for babies under six months old, as besides potentially harming them, these liquids can replace the milk they need to be well-nourished and develop properly. Remember that as your baby grows and starts moving more, they will find a comfortable position and burp on their own.
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