Gas in babies can be caused by swallowing air, excessive crying, and other factors. Various methods, including burping and tummy time, can help relieve gas in newborns and young babies.

When a baby has gas, tiny bubbles develop in their stomach or intestines, sometimes causing pressure and stomach pain. It can cause symptoms such as crying, squirming, and not sleeping or eating well.

Many gassy babies are not bothered by gas, but some become restless and cannot sleep until they have passed their gas.

Home remedies can usually soothe a baby and relieve their gas pains. However, discussing gas with a pediatrician can offer reassurance and help a parent or caregiver determine why the baby has gas.

Read on to learn more about what can cause gas in babies, treatment options, and more.

Almost all babies get gas. Gas happens when air gets into the digestive tract, such as when a baby sucks on a bottle and swallows air. Gas does not usually mean anything is wrong.

Swallowing air

Babies can swallow air if they latch onto the breast incorrectly, or if they nurse or drink from a bottle in certain positions. They can even swallow air just from babbling a lot.

Excessive crying

Babies tend to swallow air when they cry. If excessive crying causes them to have gas, they may pass it after crying.

It can be hard for someone to tell if gas is causing the baby to cry or if crying is causing their gas. Either way, it is important for a caregiver to try to promptly tend to a crying baby’s needs and soothe them in the best way possible.

An immature digestive tract

Babies’ bodies are learning how to digest food, and this can make them prone to gas.

Digestive or stomach problems

Babies may get gas when they are constipated. Constipation can cause gas that smells.

Sometimes a viral condition, such as gastroenteritis (stomach flu), causes stomach problems, such as:

A person can talk with a pediatrician about their baby’s gas, especially if the gas happens a lot or is severe, to determine whether a digestive problem is causing the gas.

New foods and food sensitivity

In older infants who eat solids, new foods may cause gas.

For some infants, frequent gas may be a sign of a food sensitivity. In particular, cow milk can cause food insensitivity.

Some home remedies can help soothe a baby and possibly help gas bubbles move more quickly out of the body.

Feeding position and burping

Feeding the baby in an upright position can help.

A person can burp the baby by rubbing or gently patting their back.

Moving their legs in a circle

A person can position the baby flat on their back and lift their legs with their knees bent. Moving the legs in a cycling or pedaling motion may help the baby relieve trapped gas.

Raising their head

Elevating the baby’s head above their stomach may relieve gas, as well as holding them in an upright position for burping.

Going for a car ride

If the baby likes riding in the car, it can help to go for a ride. The gentle rocking may soothe pain and calm the baby.

Massaging their belly

Gently massaging the baby’s stomach may help relieve gas. A person can try pressing down in gentle clockwise motions, letting the baby’s reactions guide the pressure.

Distracting them

Older infants might cry more from pain when they are bored. A person can try to distract the baby from the pain of gas by:

  • singing
  • dancing
  • offering toys
  • using interactive play

Tummy time

Babies can benefit from tummy time while they are awake and supervised. Tummy time involves placing them on their tummy and letting them move around.

This can free trapped gas. It also strengthens their upper body muscles and encourages them to elevate their head.

Giving gas drops

Over-the-counter simethicone gas drops help some babies and may be safe, as long as parents or caregivers follow the dosage on the bottle.

Stop using the gas drops if they do not help.

Gas is not a medical condition. For most babies, it is temporary and can resolve with home remedies.

However, if the gas is severe or there are other symptoms, it is best to contact the baby’s pediatrician. They may perform a physical examination and recommend testing to determine the cause.

The parent or caregiver should contact a pediatrician if the baby experiences any of the following:

  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • blood in stool
  • decreased wet diapers
  • not drinking as much milk as usual
  • irritability
  • change in breathing
  • appearing more sleepy than usual

Some strategies that may help prevent gas in babies include:

  • Changing the feeding position: Try changing the baby’s position while they eat to ensure their head is slightly above their belly.
  • Improving latch: Sometimes a weak latch causes a baby to swallow too much air. A person can talk with a lactation consultant if nursing is painful, the baby seems frustrated, or the baby frequently unlatches from the breast.
  • Slowing down feeding: Slowing down the rate at which formula-fed babies eat may help. Some babies drink bottles very quickly, causing them to swallow air. Try using a slow-flow nipple.
  • Trying different bottles: Some babies get less gas when using different-shaped bottles, such as curved bottles. Regardless of the type of bottle, it is important to hold it up enough so that the nipple of the bottle is full of milk rather than air.
  • Burping the baby more often: A person can try taking a break in the middle of each feed to burp the baby. Burp the baby after each meal.

Occasionally, recurrent gas can lead to colic, which is intense crying that lasts longer than 3 hours a day for over 3 days a week.

However, although a colicky baby may be gassy, it is not the only cause.

It is not always known what causes colic in a baby, but some additional causes include:

  • adjusting to the world around them
  • difficulty with self-soothing
  • a milk allergy

Unlike gas, which can occur at any time, colic usually happens in babies under 3 months.

Causes of gas in a baby include swallowing air, excessive crying, digestive or stomach problems, and food sensitivities.

Some remedies that can help relieve gas in babies include changing the feeding position, regularly burping, moving their legs in a circle, massaging their belly, tummy time, and raising their head.

Speak with a doctor if the gas seems severe or if the baby experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stool, decreased wet diapers, reduced ability to drink milk, irritability, changes in breathing, and increased sleepiness. The doctor may order tests to determine whether there is an underlying cause.