Let’s get one thing straight—gas is not your fault. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or doing a combo, babies swallow air. It’s just part of the package. But knowing how and why gas sneaks in can help you stop it in its tracks (or at least soothe it when it strikes).
How Gas Creeps In During Bottle Feeding
Even the best-designed bottles can lead to extra air intake if not used correctly.
Common culprits:
- Fast flow nipples: If the milk comes out too fast, baby gulps and swallows air.
- Incorrect angle: Holding the bottle horizontally instead of slightly tilted allows air to pool in the nipple.
- Frequent air bubbles: Shaking formula too hard traps bubbles inside, which end up in your baby’s tummy.
- Too big a nipple size: Baby can’t manage the flow and ends up swallowing between gulps.
Tips to reduce gas with bottle feeding:
- Choose anti-colic or vented bottles designed to reduce air intake.
- Hold the bottle at a 45° angle so the nipple stays full of milk, not air.
- Stir, don’t shake formula when mixing.
- Let the bottle sit for a minute after prep to let bubbles settle.
- Feed baby upright when possible, especially if they’re prone to reflux.
How Gas Happens During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding doesn’t automatically prevent gas—sorry! A few things can still cause excess air swallowing.
Possible reasons:
- Shallow latch: If baby’s lips aren’t flanged out and their mouth isn’t deep on the breast, they may swallow air.
- Oversupply or fast letdown: Milk shoots out like a fountain, baby gulps to keep up.
- Crying before latching: If baby is fussy and crying, they inhale air before the feed even starts.
What helps:
- Make sure baby has a deep latch—chin pressed in, wide open mouth, more areola below the lip than above.
- If you have a forceful letdown, try hand expressing a little milk before latching or nursing in a laid-back position.
- Calm your baby before feeding to prevent gas from frantic crying.
The Secret Weapon: Burping (Don’t Skip It)
Gas isn’t always avoidable—but burping helps get it out before it settles and causes trouble. Here’s a refresher on the best burping techniques:
The Classic 3:
- Over the shoulder: Upright, tummy against your chest. Pat gently.
- Sitting on your lap: Baby facing out or slightly sideways, chin supported. Pat the back.
- Lying across your legs: Baby on tummy across your lap. Rub or pat.
The MVP Hold: Tiger in the Tree
- Baby lies tummy-down along your forearm.
- Head is nestled near your elbow, legs hanging over your wrist.
- Use your other hand to pat or rub their back or bum.
- Bonus: This position adds gentle tummy pressure and calms fussy babes.
How Often Should You Burp?
- Breastfed: Once midway and once at the end of a feed.
- Formula-fed: Every 1–2 ounces.
- If your baby is fussy, spits up a lot, or seems uncomfortable after feeds, burp more frequently, even if it interrupts the feed.
When They Don’t Burp…
Not all babies burp every time, and that’s okay. But if yours tends to be gassy or refluxy, persist for 5–10 minutes, change positions, and try again. Missed burps often show up later as fussiness, squirming, or night wakings.
Baby Yoga & Tummy Exercises for Gas Relief
When gas strikes, sometimes the best medicine isn’t a drop—it’s movement. Gentle baby yoga and tummy exercises help stimulate digestion and relieve trapped air naturally.
Try These Moves:
- Bicycle Legs: Move baby’s legs in a cycling motion to help release gas.
- Tummy Time: After burping, place baby on their tummy for a minute or two to help relieve pressure and strengthen core muscles.
- Knees to Chest: Gently bring baby’s knees toward their tummy, hold for a few seconds, and release. Repeat.
- “I Love You” Tummy Massage: Use soft, clockwise strokes on baby’s belly. Trace an “I”, then an “L”, then an upside-down “U”. Helps move trapped gas along the intestines.
You can use these moves from birth to around 4–6 months, when babies’ digestive systems usually mature and gas becomes less frequent.
But What About Gripe Water and Gas Drops?
Gripe Water:
- Often made with herbs like fennel or ginger.
- Some versions contain alcohol or questionable additives—not ideal for newborns.
- Can mask symptoms of bigger issues like reflux, milk allergy, or lactose intolerance.
- Most pediatricians don’t recommend it under 2 months or for daily use.
Anti-Gas Drops (Simethicone):
- Safe in small doses, but… does it actually help?
- Results vary: some babies respond, many don’t.
- Overuse may interfere with natural digestion or hide a deeper issue.
Bottom Line:
These remedies might help occasionally—but don’t lean on them as a default. And always talk to your pediatrician before giving anything, even if it’s “just herbal.”
TL;DR (Because You’re Probably Tired)
- Gas happens—even when you’re doing everything right.
- The key is prevention (right latch, bottle angle, feeding pace) and early intervention (burping, movement, massage).
- Try baby yoga and tummy exercises first.
- Use gripe water or gas drops only when necessary, and not without a pediatrician’s OK.
- Trust your instincts—if your baby is constantly gassy, fussy, or not gaining weight, something deeper (like reflux or allergies) might be going on.
Final thoughts
You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself bouncing on a yoga ball at 3 a.m. googling “gas relief for babies.” But trust: your instincts, a little movement, and a burp cloth go a long way.
Sometimes though what you might dismiss as gas may not be just gas. If your baby seems constantly uncomfortable despite all the burping, exercises, and careful feeding, it might be time to look into deeper causes — like lactose intolerance, cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), or reflux. Let’s cover that next !
