How to remove gases from a newborn baby: tricks and techniques
If having gas is uncomfortable, annoying, and sometimes even painful for an adult, let's imagine what it can be like for a baby. In newborns it is very common, and we can prevent them, although during feedings (whether bottle or breast) some babies will be more likely to swallow gas, but we can eliminate and relieve them.
In a previous post we saw how to lower a fever in a baby with some tricks, now we will look at something simpler such as the elimination of gases.
How to get rid of gas in a baby: some techniques prior to feeding
When a baby is gassy, she will squirm, cry from the discomfort, and possibly pass gas. The first thing we should do is see if he is upset and weepy because of the gases. Feeling his tummy, if we notice that it is hard, it is because he has gas. Many times we can notice that he has gas if he stretches and draws his legs to relieve discomfort, which he does instinctively. We can also notice that he is upset and does not want to breastfeed, although it is his time, so it is possible that he has gas.
We can pick up the baby, put him on his stomach, and support him only with the palm of our hands, while we massage his back. This helps you relax, and eat more calmly, and possibly have some burps. In a preventive way, we can, from time to time and between feedings, gently massage the tummy, in the opposite direction of clockwise, to facilitate its intestinal transit and to release burps and farts.
To relieve the baby of gas, another very effective technique is to lie him on his back and make bicycle movements with his legs, always very gently, as if he were pedaling. These movements will facilitate the expulsion of gases from below.
Techniques to eliminate gas from the baby while eating
We can also help the baby to get rid of gas while he eats, if we see that he starts to cry, withdraws from feeding and draws his legs. That's because he begins to have gas, and since feedings normally take place on his back, in this position he will shrink his legs, he will not want to continue drinking, and he will cry.
If we observe that this is happening, it does not matter to interrupt the baby's feeding as many times as necessary, so that he ends up expelling all the gases and can now feed comfortably and without problems. Normally, and if we breastfeed, between feeding one breast and the other, we will put it straight, supporting it on our shoulder, and we will give it light touches on the back until the baby burps and releases gases well, always before starting with the feeding. from the second breast.
If we see that he is upset, there is no problem. We can do this operation as many times as necessary, between shots. We will have to arm ourselves with patience, because there are babies that are very prone to releasing gas, and perhaps a feeding that can last about 20 minutes, lasts much longer because we have to interrupt it frequently, but this way we will make sure that the baby is eating correctly .
When we have him lying upright on our shoulder and we pat him on the back, we will notice that he belches and the belching is very strong. He will be ready for the next shot.
Some other techniques for the baby to expel gas between meals
If he has eaten for a long time, putting him face down and holding him with the palm of your hand while he is newborn, as we said before, is very effective for intestinal transit, and he can expel gas from below. Care must be taken not to use this technique if the baby has just eaten, or if he has not digested, since he may vomit, being placed face down, and in this case, the remedy will be worse than the disease.
Between meals, in addition to massaging the tummy in circular movements, we can also apply gentle heat locally, with our own hands or wrapping it well in a lullaby, blanket or shawl. There are also pillows and heating bands on the market designed for babies. This heat attenuates the pain caused by gases, and has an analgesic effect. In addition, it helps them to expel them.
In any case, there are products in pharmacies and parapharmacies that, always under the close supervision of pediatricians, can be given to the baby to help him expel gas. There are pediatricians who are not very supportive, although it all depends on fashion and also on whether we give it to them in excess, which, in very young babies, can cause poisoning.
Star anise infusion is one of the most effective home remedies of all time, although as in everything, giving our baby bottles with corn infusions depends on fashion and what was once very effective, is later discouraged by pediatricians, but it is true that it has always worked very well not giving it excessively. Also, babies love the taste of anise infusions.
Anise is bought in stars. At home, we fill a container with water and put it on to heat. When it breaks and boils, add a couple of anise stars at most, so that the infusion is not too strong, and let it boil for a few minutes, like any other infusion. Then we will strain it in another container, we will wait for it to cool down, and we can pour it into a bottle to give it to the baby between meals, if we notice it is uncomfortable and gassy.
Anise infusions are very effective, but they have a drawback. As babies like it, they will take it without any problem, and it is important to space out the infusion intakes and dedicate them to their objective, which is the elimination of gases, since, if we offer it profusely, the baby can feel satiated, and You will have more difficulty taking your usual feed.
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