Having a gassy baby can be so difficult for parents. It’s important to find ways that help ease the discomfort and make sure they are getting enough restful sleep. But what is the best sleeping position for a gassy baby?
As a general rule, the best and safest position for a baby to sleep in is on their back without pillows or anything soft that could restrict a baby’s ability to breathe. However, holding the baby belly down or side sleeping has been shown to help relieve symptoms of gas in babies.
One of those solutions might just be finding the best sleeping position for gassy babies! But what exactly does that mean? Is tummy time really helpful?
Should you put them on their side or try bottle feeding instead? And do gripe water or gas drops actually work when nothing else does? We’ll discuss all these questions plus get advice from a lactation consultant about finding the best sleeping position for gassy babies.
So keep reading if you want to learn the best way to help your baby!
Table of Contents:
- Does Tummy Time Work for Gassy Babies?
- Does a Side Sleeping Position Help Babies with Gas?
- Best Sleeping Position for Bottle-Fed Babies
- Do Gripe Water or Gas Drops Help Babies with Gas?
- Can a Lactation Consultant’s Advice Help Babies with Gas?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Does Tummy Time Work for Gassy Babies?
Tummy time is an important part of a baby’s development, but it can also be beneficial for a gassy newborn.
It helps to move gas bubbles through the digestive tract and can help relieve discomfort. Tummy time encourages movement in the abdominal area which helps to break up any trapped air or gas that may be causing your baby discomfort.
This can help reduce colic symptoms and make your little one more comfortable.
Positioning During Tummy Time
It’s important to keep your baby upright (slightly) during tummy time so that gravity will help move the gas and excess air out of their stomach and intestines.
Make sure you support them with both hands as they lie on their tummy and avoid putting too much pressure on their stomach as this could cause further discomfort.
If possible, try propping them up slightly using a rolled-up blanket or towel under their chest while they are lying down – this will help keep them in an upright position while still allowing them to move around freely during tummy time sessions.
Timing & Frequency
When it comes to timing, aim for 10-15 minutes at least three times per day when your baby is awake and alert enough for tummy time activities such as kicking, reaching, pushing up onto arms, etc.
However, if you notice signs of distress such as crying or fussiness then stop immediately and try again later when they seem more settled. Remember not to overdo it – short bursts throughout the day should suffice!
Other Tips & Considerations
Finally, always supervise closely during these sessions just in case anything unexpected happens.
Additionally, if you have other children at home who might distract your little one from focusing on tummy time activities, consider setting aside some quiet ‘tummy only’ moments where everyone else is kept away from the room until after the session has finished (this includes pets).
Furthermore, ensure that there are no toys within reach that could potentially cause choking hazards if swallowed whilst playing on their back/tummy, etc.
Tummy time can help babies with gas by allowing them to move around and exercise their stomach muscles, but it may not be the most effective solution.
To find out if a side sleeping position could be beneficial for gassy babies, let’s take a look at the next heading.
Does a Side Sleeping Position Help Babies with Gas?
Gas pains can be incredibly uncomfortable for babies, and parents often search for ways to help their little ones feel better.
One potential solution is the side sleeping position.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs, but if your baby is gassy, you may want to try sleeping them on their side instead.
This position helps keep the stomach contents from flowing back up into the esophagus and can help reduce gas pains. When a baby lies on his or her back, gravity pulls down on the stomach contents which can cause more discomfort than when lying in another position.
By turning your baby onto his or her side while they are asleep, it helps keep those same stomach contents away from the esophagus and allows them to pass through more easily without causing pain or discomfort.
It’s important to note that this isn’t an overnight fix – it may take some time before you notice any improvement in your baby’s symptoms as well as some trial-and-error with different positions until you find one that works best for your little one.
Additionally, make sure not to put anything else in the crib with your baby such as pillows or blankets which could increase suffocation risk even further if he/she rolls over onto them during sleep time.
If these methods don’t seem effective enough then consulting a lactation consultant might be beneficial as well. They will be able to provide additional advice tailored specifically towards helping ease gas pains based off of individual needs and circumstances.
Although research suggests that a side sleeping position can help babies with gas, it’s important to experiment and find the best position for your baby. Next, let’s look at the best sleeping positions for bottle-fed babies.
Best Sleeping Position for Bottle-Fed Babies
When it comes to bottle-fed babies, finding the best sleeping position can be a challenge. To help reduce gas pains and ensure your baby gets a good night’s sleep, here are some tips:
Feed Upright: Feeding your baby in an upright position helps keep air bubbles from forming in the stomach. This will make them less likely to experience discomfort while they sleep. Make sure you burp them frequently throughout the feeding session as well.
Don’t Overfill Bottle: When preparing formula or breast milk for your baby, don’t overfill the bottle with too much liquid. Doing so can cause air bubbles which may lead to gas pains when they lay down for bedtime.
Swaddle: Swaddling is one of the most effective ways to help babies feel secure and comfortable during sleep time. It also helps prevent sudden movements that could cause more air bubbles in their stomachs leading to gas pain later on. You can also check out Caden Lane for more options for swaddles.
Sleep Wedge: A sleeper wedge like this one on Amazon helps keep babies positioned either on their back or sides. Unlike a sleep positioner (more on the dangers of that below), this doesn’t try and control the head, so there is little to no risk to a baby’s breathing.
Monitor Diet & Activity Levels: Keeping track of what foods your baby eats during each day can help you identify potential triggers for gassiness at night time such as dairy products, certain fruits and vegetables etc., which should then be avoided prior to bedtime if possible. Also try limiting activity levels before bedtime as this could also contribute towards increased amounts of trapped air inside their little bellies.
It is important to find the best sleeping position for bottle-fed babies that helps reduce gas and discomfort. Now let’s explore if gripe water or gas drops can help provide relief from baby gas as well.
However, avoid the temptation to use a sleep positioner.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has warned that sleep positioners have a high risk of suffocation (source) due to the possibility of soft material making breathing difficult. They go on to note:
To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, including accidental suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on their backs, positioned on a firm, empty surface. This surface should not contain soft objects, toys, pillows, or loose bedding.
Do Gripe Water or Gas Drops Help Babies with Gas?
Gripe water and gas drops are two popular remedies for gassy babies, but it’s important to talk to your pediatrician before giving either one to your child.
Gripe water contains herbs like fennel and ginger which can help soothe a gassy baby’s stomach. Gas drops contain simethicone which helps break down gas bubbles in the digestive tract.
Gripe water is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries as a natural way of helping both a gassy and a colicky baby.
It typically contains ingredients such as fennel, ginger, chamomile, lemon balm, dill seed oil, and sodium bicarbonate. These herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce abdominal discomfort caused by excess gas or indigestion in babies.
The liquid form of gripe water is easy to administer with a dropper or spoon directly into the baby’s mouth or mixed with formula or breast milk if desired.
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Gas drops are another option for relieving infant gas pain due to their active ingredient: simethicone.
Simethicone drops work by breaking up large pockets of air trapped in the digestive system into smaller ones that can be passed more easily through burping or flatulence without causing discomfort.
This makes them particularly useful when trying to relieve painful bouts of excessive crying from colic-like symptoms caused by too much air trapped inside the stomach and intestines during feeding time – especially when breastfeeding mothers experience issues with oversupply (too much milk).
Gas drops come in both liquid and tablet forms making them easy to give orally or mix into liquids like juice for easier consumption if needed.
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When deciding whether gripe water or gas drops are best suited for your baby’s needs it is important to consult with your pediatrician first as they will be able to provide you with advice tailored specifically towards your child’s individual situation based on their age, medical history etc.
Additionally, always make sure you read labels carefully before administering any type of medication – even those marketed as “natural” – to ensure there are no potential allergens present that could cause adverse reactions such as hives or difficulty breathing should they accidentally ingest too much at once.
Gripe water and gas drops can provide temporary relief from gassiness, but it is important to consult with a lactation consultant for further advice on how to address the underlying cause of your baby’s discomfort.
Next up, we’ll look at whether consulting with a lactation consultant can help babies with gas.
Can a Lactation Consultant’s Advice Help Babies with Gas?
Gassiness in babies is a common issue, but it can be difficult to know how to address it.
If you’re breastfeeding your baby, consulting with a lactation consultant may help. They can provide advice on the best ways to feed your little one without causing too much air intake or discomfort from gas pains.
One way that lactation consultants might suggest reducing gassiness is by adjusting the feeding position of your baby while nursing.
For example, if you normally cradle-hold them during feedings, try switching up their position and holding them upright instead – this will help keep air from getting into their stomachs as they eat and reduce any discomfort associated with gassiness afterward.
Lactation consultants may also recommend changing the speed at which you nurse your baby.
Instead of having long feeds where they take in large amounts of milk quickly, opt for shorter feeds more frequently throughout the day so that they don’t swallow as much air while eating. This should make it easier for them to digest what they are taking in and reduce any potential gas pain after meals.
If your baby seems particularly fussy or uncomfortable after eating, a lactation consultant may suggest using certain techniques such as burping them more often during feedings or gently rubbing their back afterward to help release trapped air bubbles before putting them down for sleep again.
Additionally, some experts believe that adding probiotics into an infant’s diet could also help reduce symptoms of gassiness since these beneficial bacteria aid digestion and promote gut health overall!
Finally, if all else fails and nothing seems to be helping ease your little one’s gas pains then speak with a pediatrician about other options available.
Those include such as over-the-counter medications like gripe water or gas drops specifically designed for infants suffering from excess gas buildup in their tummies due to poor digestion or food allergies/intolerances etcetera.
Ultimately though, consulting with a qualified professional like a lactation consultant first is always recommended when dealing with issues related to breastfeeding.
What causes gas in babies?
Ultimately, if you are breastfeeding your baby, the gas they are experiencing is caused by your diet. In that case, avoid or limit the following (especially closer to bedtime and naptime):
- Coffee
- Caffeinated sodas
- Dairy
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
Now if you bottle feed, then you might try changing formulas and doing some trial and error to see what, if anything, helps alleviate, reduce, or eliminate your baby’s gas.
But the right sippy cup for your baby, whether breastfed or bottle-fed, can also make a huge difference! Click that link to see my article on the absolute best sippy cups available.
FAQs in Relation to Best Sleeping Position for Gassy Baby
How can I help my gassy baby sleep at night?
If your baby is gassy and having trouble sleeping, there are a few things you can do to help.
First, try burping them more frequently during the day and after each feeding. This will help release some of the gas that may be causing discomfort. Secondly, make sure they’re in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after eating to allow gravity to help move any trapped air bubbles out of their stomachs.
Lastly, consider trying infant massage or warm baths before bedtime as these activities can relax your baby and ease any discomfort from gas pains.
With these tips in mind, you should be able to get your little one sleeping soundly through the night!
How do you get rid of gas in babies fast?
If your baby is suffering from gas, there are several steps you can take to help relieve their discomfort.
First, try burping them more frequently during and after feeding. Secondly, make sure they’re in an upright position while being fed and for at least 30 minutes afterward.
Thirdly, gently massage their tummy or use a warm compress on it to help ease any cramping or pain.
Finally, if the issue persists consult with your pediatrician as they may suggest other remedies such as over-the-counter medications or dietary changes that could be beneficial for your baby’s digestive health.
Does laying a baby flat help with gas?
Yes, laying a baby flat can help with gas.
It is important to ensure the baby’s head and neck are supported in order to keep them comfortable while they lay down. Laying the baby flat helps their stomach muscles relax and allows any air bubbles that may have been swallowed during feeding time to be released more easily.
Additionally, it can help reduce pressure on their tummy which can also aid in relieving gas discomfort.
Can a baby sleep through gas pains?
It is not recommended for babies to sleep through gas pains.
Gas pain can be a sign of discomfort and an indication that something else may be wrong. It is important to monitor your baby’s behavior when they experience gas pains, as it could indicate other issues such as colic or indigestion.
If the issue persists, it is best to consult with your pediatrician for further advice and treatment options.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the best sleep position for a gassy baby, there are a few things that parents can try.
The good news is that with a little trial and error, you CAN solve tummy troubles with healthy babies. And a sleeping baby is such a good thing!
Tummy time may help with gas relief and bubbles in some babies, while others may find relief when placed on their side. Bottle-fed babies may benefit from an upright position during feedings and after as well.
Gripe water or gas drops can also be used to help with discomfort but should always be discussed with a doctor first. Finally, consulting with a lactation consultant can provide additional insight into how to soothe your gassy baby and get them back to sleep quickly and comfortably.
But is your baby breastfed?
It also helps a lot to make sure you get the right type of pacifier for breastfed babies. Breastfed babies can have different preferences and sensitivities compared to bottle-fed babies, and so the right pacifier can really improve their sleep quality.
No matter what you decide is best for your little one, make sure you take the necessary steps to ensure they’re safe at all times!
Are you a parent of an infant struggling with gassiness and having difficulty getting your baby to sleep?
Always consult your pediatrician anytime you try something new with your baby, including over-the-counter remedies, or new sleep positions. After all, there could be medical reasons for your baby’s gas troubles. And in that case, you will absolutely want professional help.
While I am a father to 3 daughters and helped raise all of them, including extensive experience with gas, and colic, using Gripe Water, and dealing with sleep issues, my article should in no way be considered medical advice or professional advice. If you need medical or professional advice, you should seek out a qualified professional or pediatrician in your area.
Image by esudroff from Pixabay
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