Gassy Babies: Causes, Relief Techniques, and When to Worry

Wind — or gas — is a near-universal experience of early parenthood. Almost every baby swallows air while feeding, and for many babies, that air causes discomfort until it is expelled. Understanding why some babies are gassier than others, what actually works to relieve it, and when gas is a sign of something more going on can make the experience considerably less stressful.

Why Do Babies Get Wind?

Babies swallow air in two main ways: during feeding, and during crying. The amount of air swallowed varies considerably depending on feeding method and how efficiently a baby feeds.

During breastfeeding: A baby with a poor latch (not getting enough breast tissue in their mouth) will draw in more air with each suck. A fast let-down reflex can also cause a baby to gulp and swallow air as they manage a rapid flow of milk.

During bottle feeding: Bottle feeding generally introduces more air than breastfeeding because the teat does not form the same seal as the breast. Standard bottle teats allow air in more freely; anti-colic bottles with venting systems are designed to reduce this, with variable evidence of effectiveness.

From crying: A crying baby swallows a lot of air. This creates a somewhat circular problem: gas causes discomfort, which causes crying, which swallows more air, which causes more gas.

The immature digestive system of young babies also produces more intestinal gas than older children or adults, simply because the gut microbiome is still establishing itself and gas-producing fermentation of food is relatively high.

Why Are Some Babies Gassier?

There is significant variation between babies in how much gas they produce and how much it bothers them. Factors that may contribute include:

• Feeding technique: poor latch, fast flow, or gulping
• Bottle type and teat flow rate: a teat that flows too fast for the baby's pace
• The mother's diet (if breastfeeding): some breastfed babies seem sensitive to certain foods in their mother's diet, though the evidence for this is weaker than popular belief suggests
• Cow's milk protein allergy or intolerance: in affected babies, gas and discomfort may be related to an immune or inflammatory response to cow's milk protein
• Gut motility: some babies simply move food through their gut more slowly, leading to more fermentation and gas production
• Temperament: some babies are more sensitive to the normal sensations of intestinal gas than others

Best Winding Techniques

There is no single winding technique that works for all babies. Most parents find that trying a few methods and establishing what works for their particular baby is the best approach.

Over the shoulder: Hold your baby upright with their chin resting on your shoulder. Support their bottom with one hand and use the other to gently rub or pat their back in an upward stroking motion. Putting a muslin on your shoulder protects against possetting.

Sitting up: Sit your baby on your knee, leaning slightly forward, with your hand supporting their chest and chin between your thumb and fingers. Use your other hand to gently rub their back. The seated position means the stomach can empty into the intestine more easily.

Face down on your lap: Lay your baby face down across your lap, with their tummy on your knees and their head supported slightly higher than their body. Gently rub or pat their back. Some babies respond particularly well to this position as it applies gentle pressure to the abdomen.

Walking and movement: Simply walking with your baby held upright against your chest, or gently bouncing, can help move trapped wind.

Bicycle legs: Lay your baby on their back and gently cycle their legs in a circular motion, as if they are pedalling a bicycle. This can help move gas through the intestine.

Tummy massage: A gentle clockwise massage of the abdomen (following the direction of the large intestine) can help stimulate movement of gas and stool. Use a gentle, circular motion with the flat of your fingers.

When to Wind

For most babies, winding mid-feed and at the end of a feed is sufficient. Mid-feed winding — taking a break after the first breast or halfway through a bottle — can help if your baby seems uncomfortable during feeds.

Do not feel you need to spend a fixed amount of time winding. If your baby brings up a burp quickly, or seems content without one, that is fine. Not every baby burps after every feed.

Is Gripe Water or Infacol Effective?

Infacol (simethicone) works by combining small gas bubbles into larger ones that are easier to expel. There is modest evidence of benefit in some babies. It is given before feeds.

Gripe water is a traditional remedy containing various herbal ingredients (the formulation has changed significantly over the years due to safety concerns about older versions). Current evidence for gripe water's effectiveness is limited, and there are some concerns about the ingredients in certain formulations. If you choose to use it, buy from a reputable pharmacy.

Neither product works for all babies, and neither addresses the underlying cause of wind. They are not harmful when used as directed, but should not be relied upon as a solution if something more significant is going on.

When Gas Indicates a Problem

Gas is normal. The question is whether the gas is causing significant, disproportionate distress.

Signs that wind may be related to something more serious include:

• Severe, inconsolable crying for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, persisting beyond three months (may indicate colic, though colic itself is not dangerous)
• Blood or mucus in the nappy
• Poor weight gain or weight loss
• A hard, distended abdomen
• Significant possetting with arching of the back and apparent pain (may indicate reflux)
• Green or yellow vomit
• Symptoms that appear consistent with cow's milk protein allergy (rash, eczema, significant GI symptoms)

If your baby's gas is accompanied by any of these features, or if you are simply concerned, speak to your GP or health visitor. Most gas in babies is normal and resolves with time, but it is always reasonable to seek reassurance if you are worried.