3 Apr 2023 | 7 min Read
Sudeshna Chakravarti
Author | 799 Articles
While gas and stomach pain in babies is completely normal, these conditions sure do make your little one uncomfortable and fussy. In most cases, these tummy troubles in your little one are caused due to an undeveloped digestive system, possible food allergies, or excess air swallowed while feeding or crying.
These issues may resolve on their own as your baby grows older, but they do cause a certain level of pain and discomfort in your munchkin. Moreover, constant tummy aches hinder your baby’s eating and sleeping patterns and may require your prompt care and attention. Read on as we give you a set of home remedies that you can try to manage your munchkin’s upset stomach and offer quick relief.
You can give your baby a gentle tummy massage to relieve their pain and discomfort / Image credit: Freepik
You can try different massage techniques to release the trapped gas from your little one’s tummy and help soothe them. Massaging also regulates their bowel movements and eases their constipation troubles, and colic.
You may opt for BabyChakra’s organic coconut oil to massage your baby’s tummy as the oil exhibits antioxidant properties and can help relax your baby’s muscles and soothe cramps. Some of the common massaging techniques you can try are fulling, paddling, moonwalking, or holding their knees up.
Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby, make sure their latch is tight to avoid the inflow of excess air into their tummy. If needed, you may opt to consult a lactation expert to determine if your little one is latching properly, or if you need to try different methods to ensure that they have a secure latch.
Your lactation expert can show you different breastfeeding positions that help get your baby a tight latch and prevent the flow of excess air into their stomach.
While your little one unlatches themselves when they are done breastfeeding, it is harder to tell whether they are full when you feed them with a bottle. This may also cause confusion in determining how long or how much should you feed your baby to keep their stomach full.
However, keep in mind, that your baby’s digestive system is still developing, and their stomach is only as big as the size of their fist, hence ensure to feed small amounts of milk, at frequent intervals. Overfeeding your little one can cause discomfort in their stomach, which can further lead to pain and gas.
Applying a tummy relief roll-on on your little one’s tummy can be extremely beneficial in reducing your little one’s discomfort. You can go for BabyChakra’s tummy relief roll-on, which is formulated with a blend of botanical and organic oils, such as nutmeg oil, ginger oil, and peppermint oil that soothe your little one’s stomach muscles, ease digestive concerns, and reduce cramps.
You can also use this relief roll-on to alleviate your baby’s colic symptoms, and other tummy troubles, such as constipation and indigestion.
Bicycling your little one’s legs can also help release the trapped gas inside their tummy. For this movement, you need to bend your munchkin’s legs, bring their knees up to their tummy, and then bicycle their legs. This movement can also help boost your baby’s bowel movements, making it easier for them to pass stools, which also offers comfort in their stomach.
Feed your baby in a quiet room with minimal distractions / Image credit: Freepik
If your munchkin gets easily distracted during feeding, they may unlatch all of a sudden, and swallow excess air. And as we already discussed, excess air in your baby’s tummy can cause pain and uneasiness.
Hence, try to keep your baby focused while nursing, and avoid all kinds of distractions, sudden noises, interruptions, and bright lights. To be safe, feed your little one in a calm, quiet room, with minimal lighting.
Certain types of formulas may upset your baby’s tummy and cause discomfort. A safe option is to always check with your baby’s paediatrician to determine if they are allergic to any of the ingredients present in the formula, or if they are having trouble digesting it.
You can also try switching to a less lactose formula, and opt for one that is rich in prebiotics and enables better digestion. This will help keep your baby’s stomach healthy and reduce the chances of gas.
In some cases, a bit of warmth can also help soothe your little one’s tummy troubles. You can give your baby a warm bath to relax and soothe them, and also ease their stomach muscles to alleviate discomfort.
Opt for BabyChakra’s moisturising baby wash, which contains nourishing ingredients like rose oil, strawberry oil, and pumpkin seed oil that hydrate your baby’s skin, and also impart a soothing scent that put your little one at ease instantly.
Make sure your baby gets a lot of tummy time to strengthen their stomach muscles / Image credit: Freepik
Tummy time offers tons of benefits to babies, including regulating their bowel movements and relieving gas. It also helps strengthen your little one’s stomach muscles and reduce cramps. Hence, ensure that your munchkin gets a lot of tummy time throughout the day, and even if they are not so fond of it, try to distract them with their favourite toy or stuffed animal.
If a single burping position is not doing the trick, then try different other methods as well. Lay your little one on their stomach, on your legs, and gently pat their back to encourage burping. You can also try holding your baby and putting a hand on their chest, just under their neck, and lean them forward to help them burp.
As a mum, your diet also plays an important role in keeping your baby’s gut healthy. Hence, you should be careful about what you are eating while breastfeeding. Certain veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts can cause stomach issues in your little one, and increase the risk of gas.
However, this doesn’t mean that you eliminate all the healthy items from your diet. Consult your doctor first to understand what is causing gas and other tummy troubles in your little one, and then switch up your meal plan.
Stomach pain in babies is normal and is mostly caused due to their underdeveloped digestive system. You can try the above-mentioned home remedies to soothe their pain and release any trapped gas inside their tummy. Always keep tummy relief roll-on handy, as it helps offer quick relief from gas and other discomforts like indigestion.
If your baby’s stomach pain persists even after trying these remedies, or they are showing concerning symptoms like crying or inability to feed, then consult their paediatrician immediately, as it could indicate an underlying health concern.
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