Burps and Gas and Farts, Oh My!
Excess gas without burping or farting can lead to bloating which can be painful. Common causes of gas are:
- Not burping frequently enough
- Prolonged crying
- Not having a good latch
- Dairy or formula intolerance
- Having constipation or diarrhea
So how do you know if your baby’s gas and burping is normal or if something is wrong? Let’s start with how often you burp your baby during feeding.
- For breastfed babies, burp them when you change sides or switch breasts, or every 5 minutes.
- Bottle fed babies should be burped at least halfway through each bottle, every 1-3 ounces, or every 5 minutes.
Check your baby’s latch on the breast or bottle nipple and consult with a lactation consultant, speech therapist or your baby’s health care provider if they are having difficulties. A poor latch can contribute to your baby taking in too much air during their feeding and cause gas. They may suggest a different bottle, nipple, or feeding position to help.
If your baby spits-up a lot when burping and is crying in pain or stressed by the spit-up, talk to their health care provider about reflux or a feeding intolerance.
Babies with a dairy or formula intolerance or allergy can have intense pain with gas, bloating, and spit up frequently during or after feeding. If this is happening, talk to your health care provider about medications, changing the formula or about removing dairy from your diet if you are breastfeeding. Sometimes constipation or diarrhea go along with an allergy or intolerance and sometimes it is caused by something else, but both can cause painful gas and bloating.
Is it Colic?
It’s normal for babies to grunt, pull their legs up, and have red faces when they are farting or pooping, but consistent crying or screaming can mean there may be a problem. When babies have painful gas, parents will often ask if their baby has colic.
Colic is typically different from regular gassiness because the crying is:
- Loud, sudden, intense, and inconsolable
- Happening at least 3 days a week
- Lasting over 3 hours each time
- Usually at the same time every day, most often in the evenings
Colic is very stressful for families. If you think your baby may have colic, talk to your baby’s health care provider for help.
Simple Tips for Typical Gas Relief
- Burp your baby more often
- Change your baby’s position. Try holding them more upright over your shoulder, lying them across your lap on their tummy, or tipping them slightly to their side and then back to center to try to move the gas bubbles.
- Swaddle them or gently massage their tummy to provide some comfort.
- Increase tummy time when your baby is awake to help their overall strength and development.
- Talk to your baby’s medical provider before trying any over-the-counter gas drops or probiotics.
