Any tips for an extremely gassy baby?

Jessica - posted on 03/12/2013

Formula makes baby's very gassy. Breast milk is the best

Rebecca - posted on 08/07/2009

I was desperate with my son his colic was SO bad. I finally ended it by cutting a chewable gasX tablet into 8ths, chrushing it, and mixing it into his bottles once a day. it helped a LOT!

Charlene - posted on 08/07/2009

I had the same problem with my son (still do as he is only 2 months old) and my husband and I bought Hylands Colic Tablets. We use Mylicon drops after every feeding and that helps the air come up easier but it was still painful for Spencer so we bought the colic tablets and his pain is relieved within a few minutes of each dose most of the time. It's wonderful! We bought them at the "Vitamin Cottage" But I'm sure any health food store or vitamin store would sell them

Laura - posted on 08/07/2009

Possible Gastroesophageal Reflux - http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com - check it out & talk to your Ped.

If using powder, try Gripe Water. If not, consider buying the powder form of formula and mixing with Gripe Water.

Of course, Mylicon Drops

Tanya - posted on 08/07/2009

My baby boy was horrible with the gas and the thing I found that worked was peppermint tea, just make it like normal and cool it down and I let him sip away at it. Worked awesome for me.

Amber - posted on 08/06/2009

For my daughter I would take a warm wash cloth or warm up one of those breast pads you can heat in the microwave and lay it over her shirt but put it on her belly---I made sure to check it first but that was the only thing that would help her when she was little. She couldn't handle mylicon drops, I had to go through 5 different formulas. She still can only use that one formula and she just turned 8 months. You are definitely not alone!!!!

Lisa - posted on 08/06/2009

P.S.

If he has a bad rash and he's screaming CONSTANTLY and his poop is green and frothy - Call your doc.

Other than that - relax.

Lisa - posted on 08/06/2009

Stop switching formulas! (unless you think he has an allergy or intolerance)

Newborns have immature digestive systems.

Both my boys were GASSY. It sucks. They are SOO uncofortable and you just want to help.

It will go away after 3-4 months (I know that seems like forever)

"Bicycle" their legs. Hold them on their tummies.

He MIGHT have something called a Functional Lactase Insufficiency (lactose overload)

http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/g...

(really common and remedies itself)



What does his poop look like?

Does he have a rash?

Is he screaming constantly?



If he's gaining weight (he's thriving) and sleeps for any reasonable period of time - he's probably fine.



My oldest son had to be moved into his crib after just a couple of weeks because he grunted so loudly - I kept freaking out!! LOL

Seriously, I just freaked out again about my second (now, almost 4 months) and he's FINE. Just a gassy, grunty baby. He was always thriving and sleeping. NOW he weighs 17 lbs. and the grunting is GONE.

I hear you - you want to help and you can't.

Look at the link to the article about the Lactose Overload - but, really, he's probably fine.

Good Luck!!

(and stop switching the formula! LOL)

Stephanie - posted on 08/06/2009

You should talk to your doctor about a possible milk/soy allergy or a protein allergy. I have had two kids go through this same trouble. My daughter was put on alimentium and did well with it cause it was hypoallergenic like the nutramigen. My son who is now 11 months old we have been struggling with since he was 2 months old. At 2 months he was diagnosed with severe GERD, Gastroparesis, and at 9 month diagnosed with a severe Milk and milk protein allergy. We were on nutramigen from 2 months until 9 months. At 9 months he was moved to Neocate which is an amino-acid based formula and has been doing great since. Although he has to be on a milk free diet and will be on Neocate until 13 months of age at least. The good news is if you can get your pediatrician to write a letter of medical necessity, submit it to your insurance company you can get the nutramigen cost reimbursed. It gets very expensive we were paying like 125.00 a week for just formula when he was on nutramigen. We were switched to Neocate and the insurance company was denying the claim. For me to buy this formula out of pocket it was 50.00 a can. so hopefully Nutramigen works for you.

Nancy - posted on 08/06/2009

My daughter was very gassy until we found out she had an allergy to the iron in the formula. We switched to a low iron formula and the problems almost all disappeared. She also had constipation issues that cleared up after we switched too.



Edit: I forgot to mention to talk to your doctor to make sure your child does not have a specific need for the extra iron before you switch.

Rachel - posted on 08/05/2009

Are you using the bottles with collapsable bags. Some babies get gas because they suck in air if you aren't using bottles with bags.

Deborah - posted on 08/05/2009

Rye tea. It's a bit hard to find at US stores but if you find a brasilian store where you live ask them for "chá de erva-doce" wich means rye tea in portuguese.

Deziray - posted on 08/05/2009

Try gripe water you can buy it at almost every store. It helped me with my daughter and my sister also uses it on my niece

Kati - posted on 08/05/2009

Gripe water......

Shyianna - posted on 08/05/2009

They have gas drops that u can give them u can also try changing the formula they have a kind that helps with gas i fogot what its called

Laura - posted on 08/05/2009

Have you tried Breastfeeding? It is generally better for your baby anyways. I couldn't breastfeed and became engorged, now my breasts are big because of it. http://pediatrics.about.com/od/infantfor...

Try that site, it may help you. I'd talk to the pediatrician if your baby is really gassy, and you're concerned about it.

Carla - posted on 08/05/2009

I used little tummies. It's safe and very effective. You can use the store brand, also.

Jessica - posted on 08/04/2009

mylicon drops they work great!!

Nichole - posted on 08/04/2009

My daughter is now 9 months old and the first couple weeks she was so gassy. there r a couple things u can do. there is this thing called the bely band and its like a tube sock that goes around his belly and it keeps a little pressure on it. u can also swaddle him at night. make sure his arms are to his sides and make it tight. give him gripe water before and after every meal. if u r breastfeeding that is the best cuz their little bodies can handle it easier than formula.but dont worry...eventully he will grow out of it. probably in a couple weeks.

Lisa - posted on 08/04/2009

I don't remember that being a problem.

Brittany - posted on 08/04/2009

Did your oldest son have loose stools on nutramigen? Im trying that with my son and hes got loose stools and seems to be eating less than he did when he was on similac?!?!

Lisa - posted on 08/04/2009

Hi Brittany, My oldest son had the same problem with not being able to digest formula right. We tried many...ended up with Nutramigen, it is expensive but it worked well.



I am also now having a difficult time with my 6 wk old, he is experiencing alot of gas also (he is breast fed only though)...I am using the Hyland's colic tablets, they seem to be doing the trick. The gas usually releases within a few minutes.



Good luck! It is all about trial and error, hang in there you'll find what works for you and your son.

Lauren - posted on 08/03/2009

My girl is very gassy - however it doesnt appear to be painful gas. I use the brauer range including wind drops, stomach calm etc. It made a huge difference to me.

Beth - posted on 08/03/2009

My son was horrible with both gas and reflux. When we got him on the reflux medicine- he was only 50% better. I kept doing "gas exercises with him". Which really just consists of laying him on his back and bringing his knees (one at a time or both) to his chest. This doesn't work so well though when they are already so gassy that they are horribly upset and all stiff so I besides burping him more at feedings... I'd wait 15 minutes and then "fart him". lol I hope this helps a little. Baby gas is horrible.

Heather - posted on 08/03/2009

My son was very gassy and was always upset but he also had reflux and would throw up his formula or breast milk. So I would put hot water in a bottle that had a flat back (so it would lay flat on his tummy) and along with mylicon it seemed to help. The water was hot but once it was in the bottle it was warm to the touch so it wouldn't burn him. Also, I use the Dr. Brown bottles and love them!!

Wendy - posted on 08/03/2009

Sorry to reply again I too tried Nutramigen it made a bit of difference but nothing really. I would burp the boys all the time, bicycle their legs, do c circles on their tummy, etc. One thing I learned no matter how tired you are just remember how much pain the little one is in. My doc told me my boys GERD was worst then an adults worse heart burn. I totally understood why they were so uncomfortable once my doc gave me that description of what pain they were going through. Wish you all the best.

Brittany - posted on 08/03/2009

I burp him after 1 ounce...he usually does well with burps. However he is still gassy no matter what....I heard that Nutramigen is good for colicky babies with painful gas and babies who have problems digesting formula in general so we shall see if that works.

Skylor - posted on 08/03/2009

my baby is like this too ,. I usually burp her after every ounce so that way no gass stays in her belly & if he doesn't burp by then I would wait until the second ounce .. If he doesn't burp , i would keep trying . Don't let him drink past 2 ounces without a burp cause then they usually just keep spitting it all back up again .

Brittany - posted on 08/03/2009

Mylicon did not work for him whatsoever....he was on similac sensitive...i am now trying nutramigen to see if maybe he has an allergy to milk protein....or to see if it will help with his digestion in general....i have tried switching bottles as well as nipples....nothing.

Erin - posted on 08/03/2009

I had the same problem. Then I read to put the Mylicon drops in the bottle with the formula. That way it is in the baby's little system because if you wait until after feeding to give the gas has a chance to work further into his digestive tract and once it is so far the drops are useless. Once I started putting the drops in the bottle my son's gas almost diminished! I tried switching formulas and he is still on Similac Sensitive. Try putting drops in the bottle if you haven't yet. Good luck!

Rachel - posted on 08/03/2009

2 ounces water, plain water, inbetween feedings.

q-tip with vaseline

baby prune juice in water, inbetween feedings.



Bicycle legs whenever you play!!

Patricia - posted on 08/03/2009

It could be vitamin overload. My first was like this. They tried to tell me it was collic, but it was ALL the time. He was in so much pain. I was nursing though. But the dr. had me on the prenatal vitamins as well as my son on infant vitamins and it is what was doing it. I had cut everything out of my diet, and we suffered for the first 4 months of his life - round the clock. Until I stopped all the vitamins. Wow, what a difference it made!



I'm going on the assumption that you are making sure he isnt' getting air when taking the bottle, as well as burping him completely afterwards.



HTH

Brittany - posted on 08/03/2009

He is extremely gassy and NEVER spits up....its painful gas too it seems. Ill ask his pediatrician about GERD....Im trying nutramigen now...its the last straw...if that doesnt work Ill def know its something else! Thanks.

Jessica - posted on 08/03/2009

My son had issues, too. The Mylicon Drops(Walgreens, rite-aid) are golden! And Soy Formula. It's the Dairy that causes the upset tummy and gas.

Wendy - posted on 08/03/2009

My twin boys were extremely gassy. We tried all the formulas out there. I had the doctor look more into it because nothing was working and we were up all the time through the night. We found out that they had silent GERD ( they never spat up). They were put on zantac and then prevacid and boy it was a miracle. One symptom of GER or GERD is extreme gas. When I had my third boy and he started having gas problems and even worse then my twins we immediately put him on zantac and he was fine. Maybe it is time to ask the doctor if something else is going on. Just a suggestion since I spent 3 long months with my twins switching formulas, trying all the gas remedies out there from oval to colic calm and finally finding out there was actually a medical reason for it. They are all off the medicines now and have no problems.

Nubia - posted on 08/02/2009

well my baby was really gassy too and i tried the little tummys and they helped i also switched to the Mam bottles and they helped greatly but then one day while i was talking to an old nurse she told me that when she was a nurse that they would give the baby a bit of pepper mint and that it would help and i tried it and it really did work i dont know if it will work for you but its worth a try

Jennifer - posted on 08/02/2009

My daughter was like that. What I ended up doing was figuring out what position made her that least fussy. She ended up sleeping best when she was on her tummy and it actual helped her gas she was not nearly as fussy.

Brittany - posted on 08/02/2009

Mylicon did not work whatsoever with him....My next step is to buy a can of Nutramagen...which is like $25 for a 12 oz can! Rediculous but Im going to see if it will work seeing that nothing else seems to be! Thanks for the advice though Angel!

Angel - posted on 08/02/2009

There is an over the counter baby medicine called Mylacon,you can get it at most grocery stores,cvs and wlagreens,it works really good,especially for colicky babies and it taste good to

Bryanne - posted on 08/02/2009

You might have to keep switching the formulas. It can be a really long process to find the right one, we tried many and finally got it right for my daughter at about 6 weeks. Just be sure to take your time when switching from one to another. Our pediatrician advised us to wean from one to another by mixing a small amount of the new w/ the old and gradually increasing. We ended up going from Similac to Similac Sensitive to Good Start to Similac Isomil. It turned out our daughter had a hard time w/ milk protein, not just the lactose.

In the meantime, gently pushing the knees to the tummy can help...my daughter liked to be carried as if she was squatting, we'd hook her knees over our arm and let her little butt be free. That got a lot of farts out, lol. If all else fails, try a warm bath with a warm, wet washcloth on the lower tummy. Sometimes just relaxing helps them get it out.

Good luck, I know it's so frustrating and sad when your little one is hurting!

Jaclyn - posted on 08/02/2009

Sometimes laying them on their back holding their feet & pushing their legs w/knees bent towards them making their knees touch their tummy...it's helps relieve gas & it works sometimes u hear them fart it out! Or massaging their tummy w/warm baby oil twice everyday...u start between & just right below their rib cage w/ur two tumbs going in a downwards motion straight down till u reach below their belly button...in the process of doing this massage...u can actually feel all the air bubbles in their tummy & that's what ur trying 2 do...is bring that gas bubbles downwards...to help release gas...don't bring it up in an upwards motion...that would only make it worse! Ur baby is going 2 be screaming/crying while doing this..but it's okay cause it helps..it worked on my 2nd daughter when she was 3months w/really bad gas.

Jaclyn - posted on 08/02/2009

Sometimes laying them on their back holding their feet & pushing their legs w/knees bent towards them making their knees touch their tummy...it's helps relieve gas & it works sometimes u hear them fart it out! Or massaging their tummy w/warm baby oil twice everyday...u start between & just right below their rib cage w/ur two tumbs going in a downwards motion straight down till u reach below their belly button...in the process of doing this massage...u can actually feel all the air bubbles in their tummy & that's what ur trying 2 do...is bring that gas bubbles downwards...to help release gas...don't bring it up in an upwards motion...that would only make it worse! Ur baby is going 2 be screaming/crying while doing this..but it's okay cause it helps..it worked on my 2nd daughter when she was 3months w/really bad gas.

Liz - posted on 08/02/2009

My oldest was gassy for a while when he started formula, I found it was the nipples allowing to much air in as he was drinking. I just kept switching nipples until I found the one that worked best for him.

Carolee - posted on 08/02/2009

sometimes if Mylicon wont work the other one will... mine were that way and I just had to lay him across my knees on his tummy and bounce him at times there was nothing.. but keep in mind if you are flustered they can tell, you may need a little break to relax some.

Brittany - posted on 08/01/2009

Hmmm...is that anything like Mylicon because those didnt work at all for him...

Pamela - posted on 08/01/2009

My son was extreamly gassy! what worked best for him were infacol drops! 8$ at walmart

Brittany - posted on 08/01/2009

What is Oval Leanne?

Brittany - posted on 08/01/2009

I have tried Dr Brown bottles...they didnt seem to make a difference. He has been on this formula for about 2 weeks now...I guess he just has a weird stomach and Ill just have to deal! Thanks for all of your help!

Jane - posted on 07/31/2009

don't keep changing formulas, it takes them week to adjust each time that's done. try keeping him in a sitting position after feedings in a bouncey chair or his carseat of holding him to your chest in line w/your body after he eats. Gerber/Nestle green can of formula was easiest for my little one to digest. the Enfamil and Similac were too much for her.

Kristen - posted on 07/31/2009

When my daughter was gassy i did everything i tried different bottles, Mylicon drops, different nipples, i switched formula and whatever else the dr told me to do and whatever else i found on the internet but finally i had a few people tell me to try the Dr. Brown Bottles they are a little costly but I finally got the extra money to just try them and they worked wonders my daughter got gassy only a few times after that so I did go back to the store and get more once i realized that they was working just give them like a few days I loved them and they worked wonders for me and my baby so good luck thats all i found that did work so thats the only thing i can think of to tell you if you didn't already try them