Severe Gas Relief for Infants

Any parent of an infant or soon-to-be parent dreads the mention of the word "colic." Sleepless nights, hours of an infant crying, and feeling guilty or helpless at not being able to solve the child's problem all compound to result in exhaustion and misery. It definitely doesn't match the romantic notion of early parenthood. When an infant's gas problems are severe, a solution is needed to avoid further harm and discomfort for the child.

Cause of the Problem

• For many newborn infants, their digestive systems are simply not yet ready to handle working on their own. Infants can be prone to intestinal blockage, constipation and upset stomach. All of these conditions can cause gas, and it's the parent's job to figure out what's going on. An infant is unable to consciously expel the gas himself.

Be Proactive

• Breastfeeding should be attempted (if possible). Not only does breastfeeding provide critical nutrients and antibodies, but the milk product is easier for the infant to digest. Drinking breast milk lets the baby's digestive system develop more fully before he starts ingesting formula or regular food.

Find the Right Formula

• The wrong infant formula, in the short term, will cause more gas than what's considered normal. Over the long haul, however, it can stunt an infant's growth. Work with your baby's doctor to identify the right infant formula for your child before committing to a certain brand or mixture.

Don't Rule Out More Serious Problems

• Assuming you've tried all of the above steps and severe gas is still occurring, make sure that you've had your child checked for blockages by a doctor. These can be very painful for an infant and even life-threatening. If it turns out your child is just prone to gas, patiently working with natural approaches can produce results.

Back to Basics: Burping

• Burp you child. Burping is probably the easiest technique to use to get the gas out. Patting the baby's back gently while changing his position from lying down to being on your shoulder will cause the gas inside to shift--- hopefully, the baby will then burp it out. Expect some spit-up when this happens. You should burp after every feeding so that gas doesn't get trapped inside the baby. If burping doesn't work after two to three minutes, try a different technique.

Warm Your Baby (Carefully!)

• A warm bath changes the baby's internal temperature, which could cause gas in the intestines to move around and release. Similarly, if you take a warm towel or compress and place it gently on the baby's abdomen, gas may also be released. Make sure that the towel or compress is not hot: A baby's skin is far more sensitive than that of an adult---what's simply warm to you can be hot to an infant.

Massage Gently

• Using some baby oil, gently massage the infant's abdomen to help dislodge the gas. Gently working in a circular direction with long, smooth movements can help move the intestinal area enough to lessen gas buildup. Carefully moving the legs as if the baby were riding a bicycle also helps compress and stretch the abdominal area, causing gas movement.

How Will I Know It Worked?

• When your baby passes gas, you've achieved the desired result and reduced the intestinal gas pressure. More often than not, your baby will relax and go to sleep after gas has been released. If things do not improve and gas discomfort continues for an extended period of time, see a doctor. There could be a hidden problem that may require medical assistance and prescriptions.