Gas affects more than two million infants each year , causing discomfort that leads to crankiness and crying. While excess gas can be problematic for a baby, it is important for parents to remember that it is often a temporary problem, and there are things that can help. A newborn baby may develop gas because their digestive system is not fully developed. Uncontrollable crying may be the most obvious sign that a baby is suffering from gas. Other cues include pulling her legs up and lying in a curled position in an effort to relieve the discomfort.Anatomy of Infant Gas
“The baby has an ‘immature’ digestive system and may not produce all of the digestive juices it needs to break down food easily, so as a baby tries to process a meal, she may produce gas,” explains James Sears, M.D., renowned pediatrician and co-author of The Baby Book.
Gas bubbles also form in the baby’s digestive system if they swallow air when gulping milk and crying. It is also possible that formula, or mother’s breast milk after eating gassy foods, could upset a baby’s stomach.
Managing Infant Gas
While there is no surefire way to prevent infant gas, it is possible to minimize the effects, particularly the discomfort. If using formula, a pediatrician may recommend switching to more easily digestible formulas. Mothers who are nursing can consider making changes to their diet by avoiding certain foods. Simple changes in feeding methods can also reduce gas.
“To limit the amount of air that the baby takes in while feeding, make sure baby’s mouth is properly positioned on the far back of the areola,” explains Dr. Sears. “If baby is bottle-fed, tilt the bottle at a 45 degree angle, and make sure baby’s mouth is on the wide base of the bottle’s nipple to avoid sucking in air.” For most babies, burping midway through the feeding and afterward will release any air bubbles that may have formed during feeding. Parents should try burping baby during natural pauses in feeding or about every three to five minutes during feedings. While a few babies need to be burped more frequently, many parents make the mistake of disrupting feedings with unnecessary attempts at burping. This prolongs the feeding time, frustrating a hungry baby, which can increase air swallowing.
Relief Beyond Burping
Relief can often be found in over-the counter medicine, such as Infants’ Mylicon® Gas Relief Drops, which contain simethicone. These drops act quickly on the surface of gas bubbles by reducing the surface tension and disrupting or breaking up the bubble. When frothy gas bubbles
are in the digestive system, simethicone helps the air be more readily expelled from the body by breaking large stomach bubbles into smaller stomach bubbles that can be expelled.
Infants’ Mylicon® is not absorbed into the baby’s system and contains no alcohol, saccharin or aspartame. These drops are safe to use at every feeding, not to exceed 12 doses per day, but parents should speak with a pediatrician first and use as directed.
For more information on infant digestive disorders and gas issues, visit www.mylicon.com.
© 2006 HealthNewsDigest.com
