10 Home Remedies To Relieve Gas In Newborns
Babies crying can baffle and wear out new parents. The parents check for the obvious - a dirty diaper, hunger and cuddle the baby. It also leaves them wondering if the baby is suffering from a bout of gas. In this article, you find the easy home remedies to relieve gas in newborn babies.
The signs that your baby is gassy could include:
- Excessive crying or fussiness
- A hard tummy which feels firm to touch
- Excessive burping and spitting out
- Excessive farting
Gas in newborns could be because of:
- Something the mother has eaten: In some cases when the breastfeeding mother eats gas-forming vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, beans or onions, the babies may become gassy.
- The baby swallowing excess air while feeding or crying making him gassy.
10 Home Remedies To Relieve Gas In Newborn Babies
Gas in babies may not be a serious problem, but it sure is a very annoying one for the baby. With these home remedies to relieve gas in newborn babies, your baby will be up and active in no time:#1. Burp the baby
After a feed, it is important to burp the baby to help them release any gas they might have swallowed while feeding. You could burp the baby either by holding him against your shoulder and gently rubbing his back or by placing him tummy down across your knee and rubbing his back. Once the baby has burped, they begin to feel comfortable almost immediately.#2. Warm water and hing
Take 1-2 spoons of water in a cup. Add a pinch of asafoetida to this and warm this mixture till the asafoetida dissolves in the water. Cool the mixture to a reasonable temperature and apply it AROUND the baby’s navel (not on it or inside it). Let it dry naturally. Reapply if necessary. Your baby should release gas naturally after this. Test the temperature of the mixture on your hand before applying on the baby.#3. Basil (Tulsi) leaves
Basil has amazing medicinal properties with a multitude of health benefits. Take a few basil leaves, wash them and boil them in a cup of water. Once the water reduces in half and changes colour slightly, take off heat. Cool this and give 1-2 teaspoons to your baby. It should help relieve gas. Alternatively, apply a paste of basil leaves around the child’s navel and let it dry naturally and then wipe clean. This too should provide your child relief.#4. Fennel (Saunf)
Fennel is known to provide relief in gastronomic troubles. Make fennel water by adding a spoon of fennel seeds to a cup of boiling water. Let it sit till the water cools and then strain out the fennel seeds. Give your child a spoon of this to bring relief from gas.#5. Ajwain (Carrom)
Ajwain is a common Indian spice known for its taste enhancing properties and its digestive benefits in children and adults. Add one spoon of ajwain to one cupful of water and bring to a boil. Sieve and let it cool. Give one spoon of this water to bring relief from gas. Also read: Top 10 Effective Home Remedies To Treat Gas Pain In Toddlers#6. Warm compress
Dip a towel in warm water and squeeze out the excess water. Gently place the warm towel on the baby’s tummy. This should help relieve the baby’s discomfort and pain.#7. Tummy compress exercise
Lay your baby on his back. Gently lift his legs, fold at the knees and press the folded legs on the tummy. Hold for a few seconds. You can repeat this exercise 5-10 times and this will help the baby release any trapped gas. Alternatively, you could lay the baby on his back and move the legs in a cycling motion to release any trapped gas.#8. Tummy massage
Take any oil - olive, coconut or mustard and rub a few drops between your palms to warm it. Gently massage the baby’s tummy around the navel in clockwise movements with your oiled palms. This helps stimulate the movement of food and gas through the gastrointestinal tract, aids digestion and provides relief from gas.#9. Tummy Time
Getting the baby some tummy time is effective to release the trapped gas. Once the baby lies flat on her stomach, it puts pressure on the stubborn gas trapped inside forcing it to pass out through flatulence. Tummy time is also effective in developing the baby’s neck, back, and arm muscles. Also read: Acid Reflux In Babies: Causes, Symptoms And Home Remedies#10. Change formulas
Lastly, if your baby is formula fed and is persistently crying for a few days, it could be time because of the formula. Sometimes formula-fed babies could be intolerant to a specific formula. If you feel the current formula is causing gas, try another formula. Want to share your experience as a mom with other moms through words or images? Become a part of the Moms United community. Click here and we will get in touch with younull
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