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Infant Gas Signs & Symptoms

Gas is a common problem for infants, and can be quite upsetting to parents. Young babies are unable to communicate in any way except crying, and it can be difficult to figure out what the problem is. Some of the common causes of infant gas include overfeeding, a lack of tolerance to formula or, for breastfed babies, irritants in the mother's milk. Several signs can indicate that your infant is troubled by gas.

  1. Excessive Passing of Gas

    • It is normal for infants to pass gas around 25 times a day. However, if the flatulence is chronic and the baby seems to be in obvious discomfort, it could indicate a digestive problem. Other signs of indigestion include a foul smell and the passing of stool during flatulence.

    Bloated Stomach

    • A bloated stomach is another sign of infant gas. Most babies do tend to have round stomachs, but if the stomach is hard to the touch and looking more inflated than normal, the baby is probably suffering from gas.

    Fussiness and Crying

    • Infants who have gas problems can be quite cranky and irritated. Laying the infant on your shoulder and stroking the back downwards can make her burp and provide relief. Gripe water is another remedy that provides most babies quick relief.

    Vomiting

    • Most babies have a tendency to spit out some food immediately after feeding. This is normal, and can also occur if the baby has been overfed. However, if the baby vomits more than a couple of times, it is an indication of digestive problems, which may be accompanied by gas.

    Excessive Burping

    • An infant who has gas problems will have a tendency to burp repeatedly. Burping after a feed is helpful in letting out excess air, but burping on a regular basis may indicate that the infant has consumed too much milk or is swallowing air while feeding or otherwise.

    Disturbed Sleeping

    • An infant with gas may have trouble falling asleep. The sleep may also be disturbed and the infant may wake up and cry at regular intervals.

    Refusal to Feed

    • Bloating and discomfort in the stomach may prevent an infant from eating. He may refuse to feed or may spit out what is being fed.

    Diarrhea or Constipation

    • Another common accompaniment to gas is diarrhea. If your infant had diarrhea, it could indicate gas or indigestion. However, diarrhea may also indicate an infection. Contact the pediatrician if the diarrhea occurs frequently and the baby seems to be uncomfortable. Conversely, constipation in babies can also lead to gas.

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