Gas Problems in Infants and Babies

By Teddyy Editorial Team | Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Gas problems in babies are one of the most common concerns for new parents. When your little one is fussy, crying, and pulling their legs up, gas problems could be the culprit. Understanding what causes gas problems in infants and knowing the right remedies can help you soothe your baby quickly and effectively.

Babies can get quite gassy. You finally decide to visit your local café with your baby in tow but your baby decides this is the best time for their debut orchestral piece. And they proceed to release the loudest, foulest and fartiest fart ever! Everyone is mortified at what your little one is capable of. Welcome to parenthood!

Babies can pass gas as often as 13 to 21 times a day! But why so much? The reason lies right under our nose— feeding time comes with a lot of crying, gulping and suckling which gives them more than enough opportunities to get some air in their system.

A gassy baby is completely normal, but given their tiny and developing digestive system, they might need help moving that gas out. It’s time you learned how to treat gas problems in newborn babies because trapped gas can make them extremely uncomfortable!
When gas gets trapped in their belly they will:

1.  Squirm and twist frequently
2. Pull their legs up to their chests
3. Get red in the face when they cry
4. Appear uncomfortable and unhappy till they pass gas
5. Have a hard belly
6. Burp and fart a lot

Yeah, the symptoms are a little too obvious, good for us! When you figure out your little one is having trouble with gas, try the following home remedies to help them with their trouble.

• Leg movement

Or, we’ll call it the ‘baby bike ride’, it sounds fun and is fun. Have your baby lie down on their back and move their legs in an up-and-down pedaling motion to manually help push out trapped air.

• Upright position

Hold them in an upright position and give them gentle back-pats to encourage burping. Even elevating their head above their belly can help.

• Face down cradle

Place your baby face down on your lap or forearms, and make them look sideways so that nothing covers their face or nose. Now gently give them a back-rub with your other hand.

• Tummy massage

Simply rubbing your baby’s tummy may help their stomach relieve gas. Have your baby lie down on their back and gently press down on their tummy in clockwise or anti-clockwise motion. You can increase or decrease the pressure according to your baby’s comfort but immediately stop the tummy massage if your baby is uncomfortable with it or seems to be in pain.

• Rock and roll

The motion of rocking and bouncing may ease your baby’s pain and calm them. You can go for a car ride with your baby or just place them on your lap and play with them.

Diagnosis

1. A gassy baby is far from being an official diagnosis and it can be easily prevented. As mentioned before, a lot of gas develops from them crying and drinking too quickly or slowly. And also from drinking formula milk with bubbles in them. Let’s look at how to avoid gas problem in babies before proceeding further.
2. The way you position your baby plays a major role in how much air your little one can swallow. Feed them in a position that ensures they swallow as little air as possible. But that still leaves room for them crying and shattering your entire setup, at times like these, you should pause feeding them at regular intervals and burp them.
3. As for formula milk, all the dancing you do in the name of shaking the bottle can add extra air bubbles in the milk. Let the formula settle before feeding it to your little one.
4. Most of the times, gas problems in newborn baby is normal and treatable. But if the gas is severe, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor. As your baby and their digestive tract matures, the gas will become less of a problem for both you and your precious little one.
5. For the pee and poo, we have you covered! Have your little one wear Teddyy diaper, one of the best diapers for sensitive skin, to prevent any and every odour their little tummy may create.

While gas problems are usually harmless, persistent discomfort might indicate an underlying issue such as lactose intolerance or reflux. If your baby’s gas problems are accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, it is important to consult your pediatrician right away.

Expert Resources on Infant Gas Problems

Learn more about managing gas problems in babies from these trusted medical sources: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), World Health Organization – Newborn Health, and HealthyChildren.org – Breaking Up Gas.

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• Best Baby Diapers in India
• Self Care Tips for New Mums

 

How to Spot Gas vs Hunger vs Colic Crying

Gas crying is sharp, sudden, and usually accompanied by drawn-up legs, arched back, clenched fists, and a hard tummy. Hunger crying builds gradually with rooting, lip smacking, and hand-to-mouth movements. Colic is intense crying for 3+ hours a day, 3+ days a week, with no clear cause. Gas pain typically eases once your baby passes wind or stool. Tracking when crying happens (after feeds = often gas, before feeds = often hunger) helps you respond correctly.

Top Causes of Infant Gas You Can Actually Fix

Swallowing air during feeds, a fast bottle flow nipple, improper latch during breastfeeding, overfeeding, lying flat too soon after a feed, and certain foods in the breastfeeding mother’s diet (cabbage, beans, dairy, broccoli, caffeine) are the main culprits. Formula-fed babies sometimes react to specific protein types — talk to your pediatrician about partially hydrolysed options if gas is constant. Once solids start, new foods can also trigger gas while the gut adjusts.

Quick Relief Techniques That Actually Work

Bicycle leg movements: lay your baby on their back and slowly cycle their legs for 1-2 minutes. Tummy time: 5-10 minutes of supervised tummy time after feeds helps trapped gas pass. Warm compress: a warm (not hot) cloth on the tummy soothes spasm. Gentle clockwise tummy massage with a few drops of warm coconut or sesame oil follows the natural direction of the colon. Holding the baby in colic-carry position (face-down along your forearm) often calms a gassy episode within minutes.

Feeding Adjustments That Prevent Gas

For breastfed babies, ensure a deep latch covering more areola, not just the nipple. For bottle-fed babies, use a slow-flow nipple, hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle to keep the nipple full of milk (no air bubbles), and try paced feeding. Burp every 60-90ml or when switching breasts. Keep your baby upright for 15-20 minutes after each feed. Avoid letting them cry too long before a feed — crying babies swallow more air.

Are Anti-Gas Drops and Gripe Water Safe

Simethicone-based anti-gas drops are considered safe for occasional use after consulting your pediatrician — they break down gas bubbles but do not prevent gas. Traditional gripe water varies widely in composition; choose alcohol-free, sugar-free, and FSSAI-approved brands only, and use sparingly. Probiotic drops may help some colicky babies. Avoid hing (asafoetida) on the navel — old practice with no proven benefit and possible irritation. Always check with your doctor before using any product on babies under 3 months.

When Gas Means You Should See a Doctor

Persistent forceful spit-up or projectile vomiting, blood in stool, hard distended belly that does not soften, fever, refusal to feed, poor weight gain, no stool for several days alongside crying, or extreme inconsolable crying lasting hours despite remedies need pediatric evaluation. These can signal milk protein allergy, lactose intolerance, intestinal obstruction, or pyloric stenosis — all treatable with timely diagnosis. Trust your gut as a parent; persistent severe gas is worth investigating.