Baby Gas Pain – Quick and Easy Tips to Help Your Baby

While a little gas is normal, some babies struggle more than others. Their digestive systems are still maturing, so even small amounts of gas can cause discomfort. If your baby seems extra fussy or tense, trapped gas might be the reason. The good news? There are simple ways to ease your baby’s gas pain and help your little one feel better.

Signs that Baby Has Bad Gas

• Your baby clenches their fists, especially during or after feeds.
• They pull their legs up toward their belly, trying to ease the pressure.
• Newborn gas pain often leads to baby screaming in pain from gas, especially right after feeding.
• A gassy baby may spit up more than usual.
• You might notice frequent burping, even between feeds.
• Passing gas (flatulence) is another clear sign.
• Their tummy might feel tight or look bloated.
• Some babies get constipated, while others have loose stools.
• Trouble staying asleep or frequent waking can also point to gas discomfort.

Every baby passes gas, but if you see several of these signs together, your little one might be dealing with more than the usual baby gas.

10 Ways to Relieve and Prevent Gas Pain in Baby

A little gassiness is completely normal, especially in the first few months. Infant gas happens as your baby’s body breaks down proteins, lactose, and other nutrients in breast milk or formula. Because their digestive system is still developing, digestive discomfort is almost impossible to avoid entirely. But, fortunately, there are simple ways to ease the discomfort and help prevent too much gas from building up.

1. Burp Often—and in Different Ways

Babies swallow air while feeding, whether they’re breastfed or bottle-fed. That extra air can lead to excess bloating and pain if it doesn’t come back up. Try burping your baby frequently—every five minutes during breastfeeding if you can. Don’t be afraid to switch up your burping positions. You can try holding them upright over your shoulder, laying them across your knees, or sitting them up and gently patting their back. Some babies respond better to certain positions, so it’s worth experimenting.

#2. Leave the Dummy and Check Your Latch

Pacifiers can be helpful, but they might also add to the problem. When babies suck on a dummy, they sometimes swallow extra air, which can lead to more infant gas discomfort and even mess with their sleep.

If you’re breastfeeding, make sure your baby has a good latch. A shallow or incorrect latch can cause them to take in too much air. For bottle-fed babies, check the nipple flow. If it’s too fast or too slow, it can lead to extra air swallowing and a gassy tummy. Small adjustments like these can make a big difference in keeping your baby more comfortable.

#3. Calm Surroundings Will Soothe a Gassy Breastfed Baby

Is your breastfed baby extra gassy at night? You’re not alone. Nighttime fussiness and baby gas pain often go hand in hand. When babies cry a lot, they tend to gulp air—and that extra air can lead to even more gas and tummy cramps.

Busy evenings with lots of noise and movement can overstimulate your baby. That added activity can make it harder for them to settle, which can increase gas discomfort.

Try swaddling to mimic the cozy, snug feeling of the womb. The gentle pressure can calm your baby and help release trapped gas. A warm bath before bedtime can also relax their body and help the gas work its way out more easily. Small changes like these can lead to a calmer, less gassy night.

#4. Too Much Too Fast & Lactose Overload

Sometimes, a baby’s gas pain can be linked to oversupply, which means you’re making more milk than your baby needs. When that happens, your baby may end up drinking mostly watery foremilk, without getting enough of the rich, fatty hindmilk. Foremilk has more lactose, which can lead to tummy cramps and make your baby feel unsatisfied after feeding. That often means more frequent feeds and more gassy symptoms.

If you think your milk oversupply is part of the problem, try feeding from just one breast per session. Let your baby fully drain that side. This gives them more hindmilk and helps slow down your milk production naturally. If the other breast gets too full, you can pump a little for comfort, but avoid emptying it completely.

You might also try block feeding. This means nursing from one breast for a few hours at a time, then switching to the other for the next block.

Also, pay attention to your let-down reflex. If your milk is flowing too fast, your baby might gulp and swallow air while trying to keep up. Try feeding in an upright position to let gravity slow the flow. This can reduce air intake and help prevent some of that painful gas.

#5. Probiotics

In the first few months, your baby’s digestive system is still maturing. Their gut doesn’t yet have the full balance of intestinal flora—the good bacteria that help with digestion and reduce discomfort. This can make a baby’s gas pain more noticeable, especially during growth spurts or feeding changes.

Probiotics may support gut health during this time. Research suggests they help regulate digestion, support gut movement, and may reduce sensitivity in the tummy. Some even influence the gut-brain connection, which plays a role in how babies react to discomfort.

Babies who are formula-fed often experience more gas, constipation, and spit-up compared to those who are breastfed. That’s because formula can be harder to digest for some babies. If your baby is formula-fed and showing signs of trapped gas, a probiotic (with your pediatrician’s guidance) might help bring some relief.

#6. Try Upright Positions

Looking for breastfeeding positions to reduce gas? Holding your baby upright can really help. When your baby feeds while lying flat, milk can flow too fast and cause them to swallow air. That extra air often leads to baby gas pain.

Try feeding in a semi-reclined position, the football hold, or even side-lying. These positions let gravity work in your favor, helping milk flow more gently and reducing air intake.

After feeds, keep your baby upright for at least 15–20 minutes. This helps any trapped air rise and come out more easily. You can also carry your baby around in a football hold—the gentle pressure on the tummy may help relieve gas and soothe discomfort.

Carrying your baby in a hip seat carrier can help ease your baby’s gas pain. The upright position supports healthy digestion by letting gravity help move gas through the gut. It also gently compresses the tummy, which may help release trapped air. Many parents notice their babies burp more easily and settle faster when held upright after feeding. The hip seat also takes pressure off your back and hips, making it easier to carry your baby for longer stretches. It’s a win-win: comfort for you, and relief for your gassy baby.

#7. Massage for Reduced Gas Pain

A gentle tummy massage can work wonders for excess gas. Try doing it about 30 minutes after a feed, especially if your baby seems bloated or uncomfortable. Use light, circular motions around the belly button, moving clockwise. This can help shift trapped air and get things moving. WebMD – How to give your baby a massage to relieve gas.

You can also use a warm tummy pack to soothe your baby’s belly. These are made just for infants and can be gently warmed before placing them on your baby’s tummy. The warmth helps relax the muscles and may make it easier for your baby to pass gas. Always check the temperature first to make sure it’s safe and not too hot.

# 8. Aniseed Water Baby Gas Remedy

For a natural and gentle way to relieve a baby’s gas pain, some parents use a homemade anise seed water. To make it, boil ½ teaspoon of anise seeds in 500 ml of water for about five minutes. Let it cool completely before giving it to your baby.

If your baby is under six months, give just 2–3 drops. For babies between six months and one year, you can offer up to half a dropper. This mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Some parents offer it every three hours for quick gas relief, but always check with your pediatrician before giving herbal remedies—especially to babies under six months old.

#9. What About Solids?

Some foods can cause gas in breastfed babies, especially when they’re just starting solids. Their digestive systems are still learning how to break down new ingredients, so it’s normal for gassiness to increase during this time.

Starting solids too early—before your baby’s gut is ready—can make a baby’s gas pain worse. It’s best to wait until your baby is at least 4 months old, though most experts recommend starting around 6 months. When you do begin, offer gentle options like iron-fortified baby cereals, and introduce high-fiber foods like broccoli or beans slowly. This gives your baby’s tummy time to adjust and helps avoid extra bloating or discomfort.

Even if your baby is mostly breastfed, any food they eat directly can affect their digestion. Pay attention to which foods seem to trigger more gas, and go at your baby’s pace.

#10. Breastfed Baby Gas Relief & The Cuddle Cure

There are so many ways to soothe a crying baby—it’s just a matter of finding what works best for yours. What helped us might help you too, or at least give you a good starting point.

One of the most effective calming methods we’ve tried is Dr. Harvey Karp’s “Cuddle Cure”, part of his well-known 5 S’s technique for soothing fussy babies. It’s especially helpful when your baby is overtired, overstimulated, or dealing with discomfort like baby gas pain.

The Cuddle Cure Steps

1. Swaddle your baby snugly in a lightweight blanket.
2. Hold them in a side-lying or tummy-down position (across your arm or lap—not for sleep, just soothing).
3. Shhh—and not softly! Match the volume of your shushing to your baby’s cry. You can always lower your voice as they settle.
4. Suck—offer your clean finger, a pacifier, or the breast for soothing.
5. Swing/Sway—gently rock, sway, or bounce your baby while doing the above.

A lot of parents are surprised by how loud the “shhh” needs to be. But here’s the thing: the womb is actually a noisy place. Your baby got used to the sound of your heartbeat, your blood flow, and your digestive system—all up close and loud. That’s why white noise or loud shushing works. If you’ve ever used a Doppler or heard a heartbeat on ultrasound, you’ve gotten a tiny sample of the noise level your baby heard for nine months.

The same goes for movement. When you were pregnant, you didn’t tiptoe around. Your natural walking and shifting rocked your baby constantly. So now, after birth, recreating that movement through swaying or light bouncing helps calm them. Dr. Harvey calls it “jiggling,” but it’s very gentle—never shaking. The baby’s head and body are fully supported at all times. Shaken Baby Syndrome comes from violent shaking, which this is absolutely not.

If your baby doesn’t like swaddling, skip it and try the other “S’s.” You might find that certain combos work better than others. The goal is to figure out what calms your baby fastest and safest.

Crying is hard—especially when it’s caused by gas pain or tummy discomfort—but with the right soothing tricks, you can help your little one settle more quickly.

Can I Give My Baby Gas Through Breastfeeding?

Extra gas in babies is usually caused by two things: their still-developing digestive system and swallowing air while feeding. Before making any big changes to your diet, it’s a good idea to look at those two areas first—check for a good latch, adjust feeding positions, and try frequent burping.

That said, sometimes the foods a breastfeeding mom eats can affect her baby’s tummy. But not all babies react the same way. One baby might get gassy after mom eats broccoli, while another won’t react at all. It’s often a process of trial and error.

Also, keep in mind that medications—whether taken by you or your baby—can sometimes lead to more gas or tummy discomfort. If you’ve ruled out feeding issues and still notice a pattern, it may be worth looking at what you’re eating or any recent meds.

When to Call the Doctor

• You suspect your baby might have gastro or another tummy infection.
• Your baby has long stretches of uncontrollable crying that don’t ease with soothing or feeding.
• You notice unusual symptoms such as ongoing diarrhea, hard constipation, or sudden changes in stool.

Trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to call your doctor for reassurance and guidance.

References and Resources

• Management of hyperlactation syndrome by full drainage and block feeding methods — Lucca, Jisha M & Santhosh, Arathi ResearchGate+1
• Preventing and Treating Colic — Flavia Indrio, Vanessa Nadia Dargenio, Paola Giordano, Ruggiero Francavilla PubMed
• PubMed entry: Preventing and Treating Colic (2019)

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