Baby Gas Troubles?

[Excerpt from Simply Baby: An invaluable quick reference to infants] Most infants, especially newborns under 13 weeks of age, have gas because of their immature digestive system. Infants tend to swallw excess air when feeding or screaming which causes extreme discomfort. Gas discomfort will decrease with age as Baby gets better at eating and thier digestive system develops.

Things that minimize gas:

• Breast feeding with proper seal around nipple
• Feeding in an upright position (at least 45 degree incline)
• Smaller feedings
• Proper bottle nipple size (if too big, baby will eat too fast and if too small, baby will gulp air)
• Not over stimulating baby (by causing stress)

Symptoms of gas and the need to be burped:

• Stops in the middle of feeding and cries - refuses to drink remainder
• Arched back
• Squirm or grimace when laid down

Things crucial to expelling gas while burping:

• Holding baby upright
• Putting slight pressure on tummy
• Gently patting or rubbing back