Infant gas

All babies have gas.  Many new parents are surprised at just how much gas their tiny infants seem to have and how fussy it can make them. Infant gas symptoms include burping, flatulence, bloating, cramps and, of course, crying.

Do not mistake gas for infant colic. Gas does not cause colic, although colicky babies may have gas. While gas can cause discomfort, it does not cause the inconsolable distress and crying that are symptoms of colic.

Causes

Swallowed air

Swallowed air is the most common cause of gas in the stomach and is the major reason for burping or belching. Swallowing some air is unavoidable:

• during breast and bottle feeding

• while eating solid foods
• during episodes of intense crying
• when swallowing saliva
• while vigorously sucking on a pacifier

Normal digestion

Acid produced in the stomach is neutralised by digestive secretions as it passes into the intestines and the resulting reaction creates gas as a by-product. Some of this gas is absorbed into the blood stream and exhaled through the lungs. The rest of the gas will continue through the intestines/bowel and is passed out as flatus.

Incomplete breakdown of food or milk

This problem can result in excessive gas and diarrhoea which are commonly due to:

• immaturity of the digestive system
• digestive disorders
• malabsorption problems.

A small number of babies may experience excessive gas and diarrhoea due to an inability to adequately digest one or more of the proteins, carbohydrates or fats found in milk, juices and some foods. This is due to insufficient production of the necessary digestive enzymes, believed to be related to immaturity of an infant’s digestive tract.

Gastric symptoms may develop due to carbohydrate malabsorption, where carbohydrates are not completely digested. These foods include sugars such as

• raffinose in beans
• lactose in milk and dairy products
• fructose in onions, pears and wheat
• sorbitol in fruits such as apples, pears, peaches and prunes and
• starches found in potatoes, corn, noodles, oats and wheat.

Lactose intolerance is a common and often temporary problem in babies. It results from a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. This enzyme breaks down the lactose present in human and animal milk into two absorbable smaller sugars called glucose and galactose. Insufficient lactase production will cause the lactose to remain indigestible and bacteria that live in the intestine use it themselves causing fermentation. This process causes the production of gas resulting in wind and bloating.

The amount and type of fibre contained in a food impacts on the amount of gas produced. Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cabbage, onions, asparagus and legumes including beans, peas, chickpeas, soybeans and nuts, can increase the amount of gas produced.

Medications and OTC drugs

Many medications used to treat conditions such as infant colic, reflux, constipation, pain and fever have side-effects which include gastro-intestinal upsets, abdominal cramping, excessive gas, diarrhoea or constipation. Herbal therapies are not without similar side-effects.

Symptoms

Burping/belching

A burp or belch is the process of expelling air from the stomach.

Flatulence (passing gas)

In the majority of babies with excessive gas, there are no recognisable disorders of the intestinal tract. What can seem like large amounts of gas is in fact very normal!

Abdominal bloating or distension

Excessive amounts of gas can cause distension of the abdomen or a bloated feeling. More commonly in babies, abdominal distension is the result of a full stomach from normal feeding or possibly over-feeding.

Abdominal pain or cramps

Abdominal pain can range from mild to severe and can last anywhere from a few minutes to days.

Diarrhoea

Excessive gas and diarrhoea present together when a baby experiences:

• a gastro-intestinal infection
• food or milk protein allergy or intolerance
• a side-effect from some medications or herbal treatments. 

Constipation

Excess gas can be a symptom of constipation. A baby is considered to be constipated when it has dry, pebbly stools.

Crying

Although a baby with infant colic may also have gas, a baby with gas does not necessarily have colic. Studies have shown that gas alone does not cause the level of distress and/or discomfort experienced by a ’colicky’ baby.

Sleep disturbances

Understandably, a baby with a tummy ache or discomfort will have trouble sleeping; either falling asleep or staying asleep.

Relieving symptoms of gas in infants

Consider the following to help minimise the baby’s gas:

• Feed the baby in the right position

When nursing or bottle-feeding, try to keep the baby’s head higher than the stomach. Therefore the milk sinks to the bottom of the stomach and air goes to the top and it is easier toexpel. Also tip the bottom of the bottle up slightly, so there  are no air bubbles in the  teat.

• Change bottle-feeding equipment

During bottle-feeding, switch to a slower-flow teat and a bag that collapses as they swallow as opposed to one that keeps refilling with air.

• Burp baby better

 There are many positions to burp a baby. Over the shoulder, prone on the lap and sitting up with the hands supporting his back and head are a few. One of the best burping positions for infant gas is the “football hold.” Lay the infant on his stomach along the arm, chin in the hand and then gently pat or rub his back.

• Tummy massage

A tummy massage may help to relieve discomfort due to abdominal gas. Put some oil on the hands and gently massage the baby’s abdomen in a clockwise direction using long stroking actions, alternate this with lifting his knees (by holding his ankles) and using a ‘bicycle’ movement.

OTC infant gas remedies

Simethicone (Telament® Drops) decreases gas in a baby’s stomach and prevents gas pockets from forming in the intestines. To help reduce gassiness, give it to the baby after meals and at bedtime as needed.

Gripe Water (Woodward’s, Bonnycare® Liquid) is a homeopathic colic remedy which has proven beneficial for calming symptoms associated with baby colic and baby gas pains. It is a mixture of herbs, mostly dill and water that is considered to have antispasmodic effects. Gripe water is said to calm colic and gas.

Most often, infant gas is not a sign of a bigger problem and what may seem to parents like too much infant gas may not be quite normal. Passing gas 14 to 23 times a day is normal for both adults and children. Make use of one of the natural or medicinal ways to help prevent the baby from having excessive gas and passing it more easily.