Newborn Gas Relief: Safe Help for a Gassy Baby

A gassy baby can worry even an experienced parent.

Your newborn may squirm.

They may grunt.

They may pull their legs up.

They may cry after a feed.

Then they pass gas.

It is easy to think:

"The gas caused everything."

Sometimes swallowed air does cause discomfort.

But not every cry is gas.

Not every arch is gas.

And not every baby who passes gas has painful trapped gas.

Newborns can cry because they are hungry, tired, too warm, too cold, overstimulated, having reflux, struggling with feeding, passing stool, or becoming ill.

As a father of four and grandfather of four, I have learned that babies rarely give us one perfect clue.

The safest approach is simple.

Comfort the baby.

Look at the whole feeding pattern.

Watch hydration and behavior.

And know the warning signs that do not fit ordinary gas.

This guide explains safe infant gas relief, feeding changes that may help, how to burp a baby, bicycle legs, tummy time, gas drops, breastfeeding diet questions, formula concerns, gas versus colic, gas versus reflux, and when to call your baby's doctor.

Is gas normal in Newborns?

Yes.

Gas is a normal part of digestion.

Babies swallow some air while:

• Feeding
• Crying
• Using a bottle
• Taking pauses during feeds

Gas also forms naturally in the intestines.

Young babies are still learning how to coordinate feeding, digestion, abdominal muscles, stooling, and passing gas.

That can make normal digestion look dramatic.

A newborn may grunt.

Turn red.

Kick.

Strain.

Then pass a perfectly normal soft stool or some gas.

This does not always mean something is wrong.

When is newborn gas usually worst?

Gas-related fussiness can be more noticeable during the first weeks of life.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia notes that gas discomfort often peaks around six weeks and improves greatly by about three months.

Every baby is different.

The important point is that ordinary newborn gas often improves as feeding and digestion mature.

What Causes Gas in Newborns?

Possible reasons a baby may seem gassy include:

• Swallowing air during feeding
• Drinking too quickly
• A bottle nipple that flows too fast
• Crying and swallowing more air
• Taking more milk than is comfortable at one time
• Normal digestive development
• Feeding coordination problems
• Reflux being mistaken for gas

Gas alone does not prove that breast milk or formula is the problem.

What Are Possible Signs of Gas in a Newborn?

Possible signs include:

• Frequent burping
• Passing gas
• Brief fussiness after a feed
• Squirming
• Drawing the knees upward
• Becoming calmer after a burp or passing gas

These signs are not specific.

For example, pulling the legs up may also happen when a baby is trying to pass stool.

Arching can happen with feeding difficulty or newborn reflux.

Crying can have dozens of causes.

How Can You Tell if a Baby Really Has Gas Pain?

You cannot diagnose gas pain in newborns from one movement.

Look at the pattern.

Gas is more believable when:

• Fussiness happens around feeding
• The baby appears to swallow a lot of air
• The baby becomes more comfortable after burping
• The baby becomes more comfortable after passing gas
• The baby is otherwise feeding and growing normally

If your baby looks ill or feeds poorly, do not stop at a gas explanation.

What Is the Best First Step for Newborn Gas Relief?

Look at the feeding.

If a baby swallows excess air during every feed, preventing some of that air may be more useful than trying to remove it later.

Watch for:

• Gulping
• Coughing
• Choking
• Milk leaking from the mouth
• Repeated pulling away
• Very frantic sucking
• Clicking during breastfeeding

If these happen often, ask your pediatrician, nurse, or lactation professional to watch a feed.

1. Burp Your Baby Gently

Burping may help release swallowed air.

There is no single perfect burping position.

Try what feels safe and comfortable.

Over Your Shoulder

Hold your baby upright against your chest.

Support the head and neck.

Gently rub or pat the back.

Sitting on Your Lap

Sit the baby on your lap.

Support the chest, chin, and jaw.

Do not press on the throat.

Lean the baby slightly forward.

Rub or pat the back gently.

Across Your Lap

Lay your baby across your lap while fully supporting the head.

Gently rub the back.

NHS guidance notes that a couple of minutes may be enough.

You do not need to spend a long time trying to force a burp.

Does Every Newborn Need to Burp After Every Feed?

No.

Babies are different.

Some burp often.

Some rarely burp.

NHS guidance says there is no fixed rule for when every baby must be burped.

If your baby becomes uncomfortable during a feed, pause and try.

If feeding is calm, you may wait until the end.

Should I Burp a Baby Every 2 or 3 Ounces?

You may see this advice online.

It can be a rough guide for some bottle fed babies.

It should not become a rule you force on every newborn.

A small newborn may not even drink that amount in one feed.

Watch your baby.

Use natural pauses.

Do not interrupt a comfortable feed just because a chart says it is time.

2. Check Bottle Nipple Flow

Bottle flow can affect how much air a baby swallows.

A nipple that flows too fast may cause:

• Gulping
• Coughing
• Milk leaking
• Pulling away
• Choking
• Stress during feeding

Do not choose bottle flow only by age.

Different brands use different flow systems.

Your baby's feeding skills matter more than the number printed on the package.

For complete bottle preparation and feeding guidance, read our Formula Feeding Newborn Guide.

3. Feed Before Your Baby Becomes Frantic

Crying is a late hunger cue.

A very hungry crying baby may swallow more air before and during feeding.

Earlier hunger cues can include:

• Rooting
• Opening the mouth
• Bringing hands toward the mouth
• Increasing alertness

Feeding during calmer early cues may make the feed easier.

4. Do Not Force the Baby to Finish a Bottle

Babies give fullness cues too.

They may:

• Turn away
• Close the mouth
• Slow sucking
• Relax the hands
• Lose interest

Do not force a newborn to finish an exact amount because a chart says they should.

Overfeeding can increase spit up and discomfort.

5. Try Baby Bicycle Legs

Baby bicycle legs are one of the simplest comfort techniques.

Place your awake baby safely on the back.

Hold the legs gently.

Move them slowly as if the baby is riding a bicycle.

Do not push hard.

Stop if your baby resists or becomes upset.

This may help some babies move gas.

It is not guaranteed to work.

6. Try Gentle Tummy Massage

A light tummy massage may help a calm baby relax.

Use gentle pressure.

Do not press deeply.

Stop if the baby seems uncomfortable.

Do not massage a belly that is:

• Very swollen
• Unusually hard
• Very tender
• Associated with repeated vomiting
• Associated with severe illness

A hard swollen belly plus an unwell baby needs medical assessment.

7. Use Supervised Tummy Time

Tummy time can help some babies move gas.

It also helps strengthen the neck, shoulders, and upper body.

But this rule matters:

Tummy time is only for an awake and supervised baby.

It is not a sleep position.

If your baby becomes sleepy, move them to a safe sleep surface.

Can Tummy Time Start With a Newborn?

Yes.

Supervised awake tummy time can begin early.

Keep early sessions short.

You can try:

• A firm floor surface while you stay beside the baby
• Your chest while you are fully awake
• Across your lap with good head support

Increase time gradually as your baby becomes stronger.

8. Hold Your Baby Upright After a Feed

Some babies seem more comfortable when held upright for a short time after eating.

This may be especially useful when spit up is also common.

Keep your baby supported.

Stay awake.

If the baby falls asleep, transfer them to a safe sleep surface before you become sleepy.

What Is the Safest Sleep Position for a Gassy Baby?

This is a safety rule.

Place your baby flat on the back for every nap and every nighttime sleep.

Use a firm, flat infant sleep surface.

Do not use:

• A pillow
• A wedge
• A sleep positioner
• A rolled towel
• An elevated mattress
• Side sleeping for gas
• Stomach sleeping for gas

AAP guidance recommends back sleeping even for babies who spit up or have reflux.

For the full setup, read Safe Sleep for Newborns.

Should I Raise the Crib Mattress for Gas?

No.

Do not raise one end of the crib.

Do not place a towel under the mattress.

Do not use a wedge.

Do not prop the baby's head up during sleep.

AAP guidance says infant sleep surfaces should be firm, flat, and noninclined.

Inclining the sleep surface does not safely treat gas.

Are Anti Colic Bottles Worth Buying?

Some bottles use vents or special shapes designed to reduce swallowed air.

They may help some babies.

They are not required for every gassy newborn.

A calm feed with a manageable nipple flow matters more than the words "anti colic" on the package.

Do Gas Drops Work for Newborns?

Gas drops for babies often contain simethicone.

The evidence for meaningful benefit is limited.

American Academy of Pediatrics guidance notes that studies have not shown reliable benefit for colic.

Do not expect gas drops to work like a guaranteed quick cure.

If you are considering simethicone for a newborn, ask your pediatrician first.

Use only a product suitable for the baby's age and follow professional or label instructions.

Are Gas Drops Dangerous?

Simethicone is generally considered to have little absorption into the body.

But that does not mean every newborn needs it.

Products can contain other ingredients.

Doses differ.

And symptoms blamed on gas may have another cause.

Ask before treating a very young infant with medicine.

Does Gripe Water Help Baby Gas?

Evidence for gripe water is limited.

Products also vary.

Some contain herbs or other ingredients.

A newborn does not need gripe water as part of normal feeding care.

Ask your pediatrician before giving gripe water or herbal products.

Can I Give Herbal Tea for Newborn Gas?

Do not give a newborn herbal tea as a routine gas treatment.

Do not give homemade bicarbonate mixtures.

Do not give essential oils by mouth.

Do not add unapproved remedies to bottles.

A young baby's nutrition should come from breast milk or appropriate infant formula unless a qualified clinician recommends something else.

Do Probiotics Help Newborn Gas?

Research on probiotics for ordinary newborn gas is limited.

Different probiotic strains are not interchangeable.

A product studied for one condition cannot automatically be assumed to treat gas.

Ask your pediatrician before starting a probiotic supplement for a newborn.

Should a Breastfeeding Parent Avoid Beans and Broccoli?

Usually not.

This is an important myth.

Beans, broccoli, cabbage, lentils, and similar foods can create gas inside the parent's intestines.

Those gas bubbles do not travel through breast milk into the baby's intestines.

CDC guidance says breastfeeding parents generally do not need to avoid specific foods and should eat a varied diet.

So do not automatically remove:

• Beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Lentils
• Spicy food
• Citrus
• Dairy

just because the baby passes gas.

Can Something a Breastfeeding Parent Eats Affect a Baby?

Yes, sometimes.

But this is different from saying all common foods cause gas.

If there is a clear repeated pattern, discuss it with the baby's clinician.

Get medical advice especially if symptoms include:

• Blood in stool
• Repeated vomiting
• Significant eczema
• Poor weight gain
• Persistent diarrhea
• Feeding difficulty

These symptoms may need evaluation for an allergy or another problem.

For breastfeeding support, see our Breastfeeding Newborn Guide.

Can Caffeine Make a Breastfed Newborn Gassy?

Caffeine is not known simply to create intestinal gas in a breastfed infant.

However, very high caffeine intake can contribute to fussiness, poor sleep, or jitteriness in some babies.

CDC notes that young newborns and premature babies clear caffeine more slowly than older babies.

Should I Change Formula Because My Newborn Has Gas?

Not automatically.

Baby gas after feeding does not prove the formula is wrong.

Before changing formula, look at:

• Bottle flow
• Feeding pace
• Air swallowing
• How much the baby drinks
• Spit up
• Stool pattern
• Growth
• Other symptoms

Repeated formula changes can make it harder to understand what is actually happening.

Does a Baby Need Sensitive Formula for Gas?

Not every gassy baby needs sensitive, gentle, lactose free, hydrolyzed, soy, or another specialty formula.

Special formulas are designed for specific needs.

Ask the pediatrician before changing to a specialty formula.

Does Lactose Free Formula Fix Newborn Gas?

Usually not.

Normal newborn gas is not evidence of lactose intolerance.

True lactose intolerance and cow milk protein allergy are different problems.

The correct formula depends on the actual diagnosis.

When Should I Worry About Cow Milk Protein Allergy?

Gas by itself is not enough.

Talk with the pediatrician when other concerns occur, such as:

• Blood in the stool
• Persistent vomiting
• Significant eczema
• Poor feeding
• Poor weight gain
• Severe persistent symptoms

Do not diagnose milk allergy at home from gas alone.

Is Gas the Same as Colic?

No.

Baby colic describes a pattern of prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy infant after other causes have been considered.

Gas may occur during colic.

But gas does not explain every case.

Long crying itself causes babies to swallow more air.

A colicky baby may therefore pass a lot of gas after crying.

That does not prove gas started the crying.

If prolonged crying is the main problem, read our Baby Colic Guide.

Is Gas the Same as Reflux?

No.

Newborn reflux happens when stomach contents move back upward.

Spit up is common in young babies.

Parents may mistake reflux for gas when the baby:

• Spits up
• Arches
• Gulps
• Pulls away during feeds
• Appears uncomfortable after feeding

If spit up or vomiting is a major part of the problem, read our Newborn Reflux Guide.

Gas Versus Colic Versus Reflux

Problem	What It Means	Common Clues
Gas	Air in the stomach or intestines	Burping, passing gas, brief feeding related discomfort
Colic	Repeated prolonged crying without another clear cause	Long hard to soothe crying episodes in an otherwise well baby
Reflux	Stomach contents moving upward	Spit up, milk coming back up, feeding related symptoms

These can overlap.

One baby can have more than one.

Why Does My Newborn Grunt and Pull Up the Legs Before Pooping?

Newborns sometimes struggle to coordinate the muscles needed to pass stool.

They may:

• Grunt
• Turn red
• Pull up the legs
• Strain
• Cry briefly

If the stool that comes out is soft, this does not automatically mean constipation or painful gas.

Do not use rectal stimulation, suppositories, or other treatments unless your baby's clinician recommends them.

Can Newborn Gas Cause a Hard Belly?

A baby's belly can feel fuller at times.

But a very swollen, tense, or painful abdomen should not simply be called gas.

Especially if there is also:

• Vomiting
• Poor feeding
• Fever
• Unusual sleepiness
• Blood in stool
• Severe crying

Get medical advice.

Can Gas Make a Newborn Wake Up at Night?

It can contribute to discomfort.

But waking is also normal in newborns.

Young babies wake to feed.

They have short sleep cycles.

Do not assume normal newborn waking means painful gas.

Most important:

Never use an unsafe sleeping position just because you think gas is waking the baby.

Can I Put My Baby on the Stomach to Relieve Gas?

Only while awake and supervised for tummy time.

Not for sleep.

For every sleep, put the baby on the back.

Can a Warm Compress Help Newborn Gas?

A warm environment can feel soothing.

But there is no need to place a hot item on a newborn's abdomen.

Newborn skin burns easily.

Gentle holding, feeding support, bicycle legs, or supervised tummy time are safer simple options.

Should I Give Water for Newborn Gas?

No.

Do not give plain water to a newborn to treat gas.

Newborns receive the fluid and nutrition they need from breast milk or properly prepared infant formula unless a healthcare professional gives a different medical plan.

What Should I Do During a Gassy Episode?

Try this simple order.

1. Check whether the baby is hungry
2. Check the diaper
3. Hold the baby upright
4. Try a gentle burp
5. Check whether the last feed was very fast
6. Try bicycle legs while awake
7. Try a gentle tummy massage if the belly is soft
8. Keep the environment calm
9. Watch for other symptoms

Do not keep adding remedies when the baby is becoming more upset.

How Can I Prevent Air Swallowing During Breastfeeding?

Focus on a comfortable latch and effective milk transfer.

Ask for help if your baby repeatedly:

• Clicks
• Slips off the breast
• Coughs
• Chokes
• Gulps very rapidly
• Seems unable to stay comfortably latched

A lactation professional can watch a feed and help identify the problem.

How Can I Reduce Air During Bottle Feeding?

Try to:

• Use a flow the baby can manage
• Hold the baby securely
• Allow natural pauses
• Keep the nipple filled with milk during feeding
• Stop when fullness cues appear
• Avoid bottle propping

If your baby repeatedly coughs, chokes, changes color, or struggles to breathe during feeds, seek professional assessment.

Do I Need a Daily Newborn Gas Relief Routine?

No rigid routine is needed.

A simple pattern is enough:

• Feed during early hunger cues when possible
• Watch feeding flow
• Burp when helpful
• Use gentle movement during awake time
• Give supervised tummy time
• Keep sleep flat and on the back
• Watch hydration and feeding
• Call the pediatrician when symptoms look unusual

What I Have Learned as a Father and Grandfather

As a father of four and grandfather of four, I have learned that newborn gas can become the answer to almost every difficult evening.

Sometimes gas is part of the problem.

Sometimes it is not.

The most useful questions are wider.

Is the baby feeding well?

Are wet diapers normal?

Is the baby growing?

Does the baby look well between episodes?

Is vomiting ordinary spit up or something very different?

Is breathing normal?

Is sleep being kept safe?

Simple comfort measures are reasonable.

Unsafe sleep changes are not.

Random formula switching is not.

Broad breastfeeding diet restrictions are not.

And medication promises are not.

My family experience helps me understand the worry.

Diagnosis belongs with qualified medical professionals.

When Should I Call the Pediatrician About Newborn Gas?

Contact your baby's healthcare professional if your newborn:

• Feeds much less than usual
• Repeatedly refuses feeds
• Has poor weight gain
• Has clearly fewer wet diapers
• Vomits repeatedly
• Has blood in the stool
• Has a very swollen abdomen
• Is unusually sleepy
• Is difficult to wake
• Has persistent crying that is very different from normal
• Is getting worse instead of better

What Newborn Symptoms Are Not Just Gas?

Seek urgent medical care for:

• Green or bile colored vomiting
• Blood in vomit
• Repeated forceful or projectile vomiting
• Serious breathing difficulty
• Blue or gray lips or skin
• Severe lethargy
• Unresponsiveness
• A seizure
• A severely swollen painful abdomen
• A baby who appears seriously ill

Do not treat these symptoms at home as ordinary gas.

What About Fever in a Gassy Newborn?

Gas does not cause fever.

If a baby is 3 months old or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or 38°C or higher, call the pediatrician immediately.

This matters even if the baby otherwise seems well.

Newborn Gas Relief Checklist

• Remember that gas is normal
• Do not assume every cry is gas
• Watch feeding flow
• Feed during early hunger cues when possible
• Burp gently when helpful
• Try baby bicycle legs while awake
• Use gentle massage only on a comfortable soft belly
• Use tummy time only while awake and supervised
• Keep every sleep flat and on the back
• Never tilt the crib for gas
• Do not promise that gas drops will work
• Ask before giving gripe water or herbal remedies
• Do not switch formula repeatedly for ordinary gas
• Do not remove many foods from a breastfeeding diet without a reason
• Watch feeding, hydration, growth, vomiting, and behavior
• Call for medical advice when the pattern does not look normal

Conclusion

Newborn gas relief should stay simple and safe.

Start with feeding.

Use gentle burping.

Try bicycle legs.

Use supervised tummy time.

Keep sleep flat on the back.

Avoid unnecessary formula changes and restrictive diets.

And remember that gas does not explain every newborn cry.

Your next step: Watch one complete feed today. Notice whether your baby gulps, coughs, pulls away, swallows a lot of air, or becomes frantic. One useful feeding adjustment may help more than adding another gas remedy.

References and Sources

1. American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren: Gas Relief for Babies
2. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: How to Help a Newborn With Gas
3. NHS: How to Burp Your Baby
4. American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren: How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding

More Parnthub Baby Feeding and Digestion Guides

• Baby Colic Guide
• Newborn Reflux Guide
• Breastfeeding Newborn Guide
• Formula Feeding Newborn Guide
• Safe Sleep for Newborns
• Newborn Care Basics

Baby Care Hub: Explore newborn feeding, sleep, development, crying, reflux, colic, gas, safety, and everyday baby care in our Complete Baby Care Guide.

About the Author

Adel Galal
Founder of Parnthub
Father of four
Grandfather of four
More than three decades of parenting and grandparenting experience

I created Parnthub to make parenting and family health information easier to understand.

I have raised four children and now have four grandchildren.

Those years taught me that newborn symptoms can make parents worry very quickly.

A baby cannot say:

"I swallowed some air."

Or:

"I am tired."

Or:

"This feed is too fast."

So parents have to watch the whole baby.

My parenting and grandparenting experience helps me focus on the practical questions families face at home.

For health and safety information, I research current pediatric, hospital, government, and public health guidance.

I do not present personal experience as medical diagnosis.

I am not a dermatologist or A doctor, and this content does not replace professional medical advice. What I share comes from real-life experience, extensive research, and consultation with healthcare providers. Always consult qualified medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition.

Learn more about Adel Galal and Parnthub.

Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Gas Relief

How do you get rid of gas in a newborn?

There is no way to remove every bit of gas. Try gentle burping, check feeding flow, use bicycle leg movements, try gentle tummy massage, and give supervised tummy time while your baby is awake.

How can I help my newborn pass gas quickly?

No method guarantees instant relief. Gentle bicycle legs, burping, upright holding, tummy massage, and supervised tummy time may help some babies.

What is the best newborn gas relief?

Start with feeding technique. Reduce unnecessary air swallowing, use gentle burping when helpful, and try simple awake comfort measures before adding medicines or changing formula.

How do I know if my newborn is crying from gas?

You cannot know from crying alone. Gas is more likely when discomfort happens around feeding and improves after burping or passing gas, but hunger, reflux, tiredness, stooling, illness, and other problems can look similar.

Can bicycle legs help newborn gas?

Yes, gentle bicycle leg movements may help some babies pass gas. Use them only while your baby is awake and stop if your baby becomes distressed.

Does tummy time help baby gas?

Supervised awake tummy time may help some babies move gas. Tummy time is never a sleep treatment. Always place your baby on the back for sleep.

Should I burp my newborn after every feed?

Not every baby needs to burp after every feed. Try burping during natural feeding pauses or after feeding when your baby seems uncomfortable.

How long should I try to burp a newborn?

You do not need to spend a long time forcing a burp. NHS guidance says a couple of minutes may be enough. If no burp comes and the baby seems comfortable, that can be normal.

Do gas drops work for newborns?

Evidence for simethicone gas drops is limited, especially for colic. Ask your pediatrician before giving gas medicine to a newborn.

Is gripe water good for newborn gas?

Evidence for gripe water is limited and products vary. Ask your pediatrician before giving gripe water, herbal preparations, or other remedies to a newborn.

Should a breastfeeding mother stop eating beans or broccoli if the baby has gas?

Usually not. Breastfeeding parents generally do not need to avoid common foods because a baby passes gas. Broad elimination diets should not be started without a clear reason and professional guidance.

Can formula cause gas in newborns?

All babies can have gas. Gas alone does not prove a formula is wrong. Feeding flow, air swallowing, amount taken, reflux, and other symptoms should also be considered.

Should I change formula because my newborn is gassy?

Not automatically. Repeated formula switching is usually not necessary for ordinary gas. Talk with the pediatrician before using a specialty formula.

Is gas the same as colic?

No. Gas is air in the digestive tract. Colic describes prolonged repeated crying in an otherwise healthy infant when another clear cause has not been found.

Is gas the same as reflux?

No. Reflux is stomach contents moving upward. Reflux can cause spit up and feeding related symptoms that parents may mistake for gas.

What is the safest sleeping position for a gassy newborn?

Place your baby flat on the back for every sleep on a firm, flat infant sleep surface. Do not elevate the mattress or use stomach or side sleeping for gas.

Can I put a towel under the crib mattress for gas?

No. Do not tilt the crib, raise the mattress, or use towels, wedges, pillows, or sleep positioners to treat gas.

When should I worry about newborn gas?

Call your baby's healthcare professional for poor feeding, poor weight gain, fewer wet diapers, repeated vomiting, blood in stool, significant abdominal swelling, unusual sleepiness, or persistent unusual crying.

When is newborn gas an emergency?

Seek urgent care for green vomiting, blood in vomit, repeated projectile vomiting, serious breathing trouble, blue or gray color, unresponsiveness, seizure, or a severely swollen painful abdomen.

Does fever come from newborn gas?

No. Gas does not cause fever. If a baby age 3 months or younger has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or 38°C or higher, call the pediatrician immediately.