Mean ole gas pains can really take a toll on your baby. When my daughter was born, she cried after delivery, then didn’t make a peep for quite a while after that. I was actually growing concerned that she didn’t cry and would resort to grunting when she was hungry. The first “real” cry my daughter did at home sent my husband and I running down the hall to investigate, and I soon as I picked her up, she burped and all was well. Immediately afterwards, I started researching ways to ease gas so that I could be ready for the next round!
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FEEDING POSITION
I really did not think something as simple as the position that I feed my baby in would make much of a difference until I gave it a try. For minimal gas pains, during feedings the baby’s head should remain higher than the rest of baby’s body. This simple feeding position worked to not only help with gas, but also helped reduce spitting up! It was a win-win! I really was surprised at the progress we made with her belly aches after changing up her feeding position.
GAS DROPS
Gas drops are truly my saving grace when a bothersome belly ache shows up. I always make sure to have a bottle of gas drops on hand! I always get this one, and it has been a life saver! You can give the drops orally or you can mix the them in with a bottle. I have always found putting them in her bottle to be the easiest way. The relief from these drops is almost instant and it’s not long before my daughter is back to her happy, giggly self!
BICYCLE LEGS/BELLY RUBBING
Sometimes our babies just need a little help when it comes to getting that trapped air out, and bicycle legs does just that! By moving your baby’s legs as if they were riding a bicycle, you often help push out some of that trapped air that is giving your sweet baby a hard time! Another way to help work out the gas is to simply rub your baby’s belly in a clockwise motion in an attempt to try to work the air out. The relief with these movements is normally pretty immediate, which is great, because you want to relieve those gas pains as quickly as you can. I often try these tricks before I give gas drops because they are so simple and effective!
CHANGE BOTTLES
Believe it or not, all bottles are not created equal! There are a few different brands of bottles that claim to reduce gas pains, colic and spitting up, so be sure to research all your options. I personally use (and highly recommend), Dr Brown’s bottles for my daughter. The testimonials from moms I knew and trusted was enough to sell me on them from the very beginning. Don’t have time to wash all the parts that come with Dr. Browns bottles? Neither do I. I hated washing what felt like a hundred bottles a day and all the parts that came along with it. This bottle sterilizer has helped save me so much time that I would have otherwise spent washing bottles. I definitely consider it a must have!
MORE FREQUENT BURPING
Another simple thing that can make a huge impact on your baby’s belly! When my daughter was a dainty little newborn, I was so careful to always make sure I burped her halfway through feedings, but as she got older I kind of slacked off a bit. I didn’t think less frequent burping would be a “big deal” but I was wrong. Simply burping my baby every 2-3 ounces has helped reduce gas and helped reduce spitting up! Sometimes babies (especially my chunky little girl) just need to slow down while they are eating, so don’t be afraid to burp more often, or even just take a break for a moment to let them catch their breath. You will see a difference!
Gas pains can really give you a hard time if you don’t know how to handle them, especially if you don’t even know why baby is crying! These tips should help keep your baby as happy as possible at all times, because there is nothing more adorable than a smiling baby!
Did these tips help you? What works to reduce gas in your baby?
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