Every mother knows that the first problem that parents face is gas formation in babies. This unhappy process starts because babies don’t have a fully developed digestive system during their first year of life. Unfortunately, some children feel this problem more than others. To rid of the discomfort a breastfeeding mother needs to review her diet in detail. And what to do with bottle-feeding babies? Let’s find out together.
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Gassy baby — what is the reason?
There are 5 main reasons why your baby feels gassy too often.
- Not fully developed digestion
Every day, from the first day of birth, our children develop. The key to a child’s health is coordinated and proper digestion. This is a long process that is adjusted throughout the first year of life. Gas formation is a natural part of this development.
- Infrequent burps
Even in the maternity hospital, doctors teach the young mother that the child must be carried vertically after each meal. This is done so that the baby gets rid of the air that entered him along with the milk or formula. Failure to observe this rule leads to the fact that air descends to the lower stages of digestion.
- Incorrect feeding
Swallowing excess air during feeding may be due to improper attachment or bottle feeding. If a child swallows too much air, it can cause discomfort and air buildup.
- Too much or too little milk
When you overfeed your baby, his body may have no time to cope with a lot of food. That’s the huge discomfort. And your child needs to relax to burp. On the other hand, long-term underfeeding also leads to serious digestive problems. So it’s really important to stick to the rules given by the doctor.
- Hypersensitivity and allergy
A lot of babies are very allergic to some components of milk or formula. Moms should be very attentive to the sensitivity to cow’s milk, lactose, and soy. By contrast, breastfed babies completely depend on the mother’s diet.
So how do you know if your child has a problem with gasses?
In addition to the obvious, there are several unpleasant symptoms of this bad condition of your newborn:
- If the baby cries and shows anxiety for a long time, something causes him discomfort. In the first months of life, these are most likely problems with his tummy.
- Bloating is a problem that can be seen and felt. This is exactly what happens if the baby’s stomach is sensitive to any touch, and, during the massage, he or she involuntarily gets gassy.
- As we already know, burping itself is not only harmless but necessary. But their excessive amount – this is a large amount of air that the baby needs to put somewhere.
- Discomfort during feeding can be caused by digestive problems. The kid fidgets, turns over, and cannot concentrate on the process.
- The most common symptom that moms turn to is pulling their legs up to their tummy. So the baby helps himself to remove the gas from his body and relieves the pain of bloating.
Types of formulas for gassy babies
What is the best formula for babies with this problem? Well, there is no one rule for the choice of correct food for a newborn.
- Typical milk organic formula from European brands is the most common product on the mass market. This formula can only be used by children with lactose intolerance. And it is best for transitioning to a bottle, as the structure of cow’s milk is similar to the mother’s.
- If the baby is still sensitive to lactose in cow’s milk, experts recommend using the one on goat’s milk. It is milder and more useful for children with digestive problems.
- When looking for a formula for a gassy baby, you should pay attention to hypoallergenic ones. The ingredients in it are broken down into smaller molecules and are much easier to digest. In the line of almost every brand you can find this type of formula, for example, Jovie or Hipp.
- Soy replaces cow’s milk and is a good vegan alternative for dairy and lactose-sensitive babies. A soy-based formula can be a great solution for both gas and colics. This should be avoided if your child is allergic to soy. Such symptoms as diarrhea or excessive nervousness must be a sign to consult with your pediatrician.
- For really serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract, doctors recommend buying a special formula based on amino acids. Such one will minimize the risk of gas formation, however, the cost of this product will be much higher than average.
Gas formation in babies can affect both the child and the parents! It’s always hard to see how your baby feels bad. Therefore, the right choice of formula from gasses will be the key to your peace of mind.
