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Infants experiencing gas formation is a common problem. Babies suffer from gas problem due to under developed digestive system or overfeeding. It is normal for babies to suck air while feeding from the bottle or taking breast feed. The air causes gas formation and uneasiness in infants.
Certain foods like spices, dairy products, pickles or soy or peanuts, eaten by lactating mothers can cause gas problems in infants. Babies suffer from stomach pain, sleeplessness and bloating due to gas formation. The gas bubbles get trapped in the intestines and the baby feels cramps and discomfort in abdominal area.
Symptoms of gas problem in babies include excessive burping, continuous crying, disturbed sleep, constipation, stiffness in abdominal area,excessive leg movements of the baby You must relieve your baby from gas pain to make her/him feel comfortable and sleep peacefully. There are over the counter oral drops available for gas relief but it is better to treat baby gas with safe home remedies.
Baby Gas Relief Remedies
1. Burp The Baby After Every Feed
Carry your baby upright on the shoulder and gently pat her/his back. This will help the baby to burp and digest milk. The air ingested with the feed will be expelled and it will relieve the baby from gas formation.
2. Exercise Her/His Legs To Release Gas
Exercise your baby’s legs in cycling motion in between feeds. It will put pressure on the stomach and help the baby to expel gas. Give a gap of one hour between feeding and exercise and move the baby’s legs in soft and gentle motions. Massage the baby’s tummy by pressing it lightly. This will help to relieve the trapped gas and bring comfort to the baby. Lay your baby on her/his stomach and gently massage the back. This will help to relieve gas pain and the baby will sleep better.
3. Asafoetida
Dissolve a pinch of asafoetida powder in 2 table spoon warm water and apply it around the baby’s navel anti clockwise. Asafoetida is an excellent gas reliever. Since infants cannot take it orally this application is most suitable remedy for baby gas relief.
4. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil massage helps to lubricate the abdominal muscles of the baby and stimulates their digestive system. Apply warm mustard oil around the baby’s navel anti clockwise and keep it covered to avoid exposure.
5. Aniseed
Aniseed has cooing properties and it relieves bloating and prevents flatulence. For infants boil 1 teaspoon aniseeds in one litre of water till it is reduced to half. Cool the decoction and give it to the baby 2-3 times during the day.
6. Hot Fermentation
Hot fermentation provides immense relief in gastric pain and bloated stomach in babies. For hot fermentation heat water in a pan, soak a towel in hot water, squeeze out excess water and place the towel on baby’s abdomen. When the towel cools down, soak it again and repeat the process two to three times for baby gas relief.
Give time to the baby to get use to new foods and environment. In case the above mentioned baby gas relief remedies do not work and your baby suffers from gas problem for a prolonged period of time, show her/him to the paediatrician.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.