Parents may wonder what is wrong when their baby suddenly begins to cry, pulls their legs to his tummy or is hard to settle. Baby gas and colic are often blamed whenever a little one becomes fussy, but the two are not exactly the same.
Gas formation and elimination is a natural process for babies. Their digestive system is immature, as well as they may swallow air while feeding and crying. Sometimes gas can be uncomfortable for a baby, and sometimes it can be uncomfortable for the mom. Gas is a part of digestion as well.
However, if a child cries for no apparent reason and for a long period of time – that is the symptoms of colic – then it is not. Colic is a symptom that is a pattern of long, loud crying in a healthy baby and for no good reason. Typically starts in the first couple of weeks of life and tends to get better by about 3-4 months.
It is important to know the difference so parents can respond to their baby's crying in a way that is likely to comfort them while avoiding inappropriate measures such as giving them everything they need because they think they are suffering from gas pains.
What Causes Gas in Babies?
Gas can happen simply because babies swallow air. This can happen when breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, crying or sucking.
Very fast feeding rates and great hunger immediately before feeding may increase the amount of air swallowed by some babies. The method of bottle feeding also may affect the amount of air a baby consumes.
Common occurrences with baby gas are:
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Taking air into the mouth when eating
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Feeding very quickly
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Excessive prolonged crying before feeding. Long crying periods before feeding.
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Model to inhale air as they suck
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Lack of coordination in sucking, swallowing or breathing
Not all gas is bad and not every baby who is gassy has a problem. All babies pass gas, and some may just be more gassy than others.
What Is Colic in Babies?
The typical definition of a colicky baby is that of a child who is otherwise healthy but cries very easily and often.
The NHS describes colic as crying for more than three hours a day, on at least three days a week, for at least one week, when there is no obvious cause and the baby is otherwise healthy. It often starts when a baby is a few weeks old and improves by around three or four months.
A baby's typical response to a colic episode is to:
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Cries loudly and is fussy to soothe.
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Clench their fists
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Pull their knees towards their tummy
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Arch their back
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Get red or flushed when crying
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Looks especially agitated in the afternoon or evening
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Pass a lot of gas
Crying is not always a sign of colic and can be associated with other causes of crying, so parents are not justified in assuming that their baby has colic because he or she cries.
Is Baby Gas the Same as Colic?
No.
This is an important distinction when looking for baby gas and colic causes.
Gas is a normal part of digestion. A baby can pass gas frequently without having a medical problem. Colic refers to a broader pattern of excessive crying for which there is no single confirmed cause.
Because colicky babies may cry, pull up their legs and pass gas, it is easy to assume that gas is responsible for everything. However, research and pediatric guidance do not support the idea that gas explains every case of colic.
This is why repeatedly giving remedies for gas without understanding the overall pattern may not solve the problem.
How to Relieve Gas in Babies
If your baby appears uncomfortable with gas, a few gentle measures can be tried.
Give Your Baby a Burping Break
Some babies swallow air while feeding and may benefit from burping during or after a feed.
Hold your baby upright while supporting their head and neck, then gently pat or rub their back. You do not need to keep trying for a long time if your baby does not burp and appears comfortable.
For bottle-fed babies, allowing natural pauses during feeding may also help prevent hurried feeding.
Keep Feeding Calm
Try not to wait until your baby is extremely hungry and crying before beginning a feed. A very hungry baby may feed frantically and swallow more air.
During bottle feeding, keep your baby in a comfortable, relatively upright position and follow safe bottle-feeding practices.
Try Gentle Bicycle-Leg Movements
Place your baby on their back while they are awake and supervised.
Gently move their legs in a slow cycling motion. This can be a simple way to encourage movement and may help some babies pass gas.
Stop if your baby becomes more uncomfortable.
Give Supervised Tummy Time
When your baby is awake and supervised, tummy time can encourage movement and development. It may also put gentle pressure on the abdomen.
Tummy time should never be used as a sleeping position. Always follow safe-sleep recommendations when your baby is ready to sleep.
Try Gentle Tummy Massage
Some parents find that gentle tummy massage becomes a relaxing part of their baby's routine.
Use light, slow movements rather than pressing firmly on the abdomen. Stop immediately if your baby seems uncomfortable.
Massage can be considered a comfort technique, but it should not be presented as a treatment or cure for colic.
How to Comfort a Colicky Baby
There is unfortunately no single method that works for every colicky baby. Since the exact cause of colic is not known, the goal is usually to help the baby settle and make the episode easier to manage.
Parents can try:
Hold Your Baby Close
Cuddling your baby against your chest may provide reassurance during a difficult crying spell.
You can speak softly, hum or sing. Some babies respond well to the sound of a familiar voice.
Use Gentle Movement
Slow rocking, walking while holding your baby or gently pushing them in a stroller can sometimes help settle a fussy baby.
Keep the movement gentle and controlled. Never shake a baby.
Reduce Noise and Stimulation
If your baby has been around a lot of noise, bright lights or activity, try moving to a quieter room.
Dim the lights, lower the noise and give your baby some calm time.
Try a Warm Bath
A warm bath may help some babies relax. Test the temperature of the water before your baby enters the bath and stay within arm's reach while he's in it.
Some babies don't like getting bathed when they are upset, so it is okay to discontinue bathing if it increases the baby's distress.
Use Gentle Background Sound
Background noises that are steady and soft can soothe some babies. A quiet humming sound or gentle white noise may help create a predictable environment.
Keep sound at a safe volume and place any sound-producing device away from the baby's sleeping area.
Should Parents Change Their Diet?
Parents who breastfeed are sometimes told to remove several foods from their diet because their baby seems gassy or colicky.
This should not be done automatically.
There may be situations where a baby has a food sensitivity or allergy, but unnecessary dietary restriction can make it harder for a breastfeeding parent to get adequate nutrition. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends paying attention to clear patterns rather than randomly eliminating large numbers of foods.
If you suspect that a particular food is affecting your baby, discuss the pattern with your pediatrician before making major dietary changes.
What About Gripe Water, Gas Drops and Colic Remedies?
Parents often come across products marketed for baby gas or colic.
It is important to be cautious. There is no single proven treatment that works for all colicky babies, and the NHS does not recommend anti-colic drops, herbal supplements or probiotics as routine treatments because evidence of benefit is lacking.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also notes that evidence does not clearly show that commonly used gas drops containing simethicone provide meaningful relief for colic. Parents should speak with their pediatrician before giving medicines or supplements to an infant.
Avoid giving an infant an unfamiliar herbal preparation or home remedy simply because it is described as “natural.”
Natural does not automatically mean suitable for a newborn.
When Should Parents Seek Medical Advice?
Most episodes of baby gas or colic are not dangerous, but persistent crying should not always be dismissed as colic.
Speak with your baby's pediatrician if:
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Your baby is not feeding well
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Your baby is not gaining weight as expected
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Crying is becoming more frequent or severe
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Your baby seems unwell between crying episodes
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Your baby has repeated vomiting
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Your baby's abdomen becomes swollen or unusually hard
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You are struggling to cope with the crying
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Colic-like symptoms continue beyond the expected period
A healthcare professional can check whether another condition, such as reflux, constipation, an infection or a food allergy, may be contributing to the symptoms.
Seek urgent medical attention if your baby:
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Has difficulty breathing
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Becomes unusually floppy or difficult to wake
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Has blue, grey or very pale skin
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Has a seizure
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Has a weak or unusually high-pitched cry
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Has a cry that sounds significantly different from normal
These signs should not simply be attributed to gas or colic.
How Can Parents Cope With a Colicky Baby?
Caring for a baby who cries for hours can be exhausting. Feeling frustrated does not make you a bad parent.
If you have tried comforting your baby and feel overwhelmed, place your baby safely on their back in an appropriate crib and step away for a few minutes. Ask your partner, family member or another trusted adult to take over if possible.
Most importantly, never shake a baby. Even a few seconds of forceful shaking can cause serious injury.
Taking a short break is safer than trying to continue when you feel unable to cope.
Understanding Baby Gas and Colic Takes Patience
Baby Gas and Colic: Understanding Common Causes and Comfort Tips is ultimately about knowing when simple comfort measures are enough and when your baby's symptoms need professional attention.
Gas is a normal part of digestion, while colic refers to a pattern of intense crying with no obvious cause. They can occur together, but one should not automatically be blamed for the other.
If your baby seems gassy, try gentle burping, calm feeding, supervised tummy time and slow bicycle-leg movements. During a colic episode, holding your baby close, reducing stimulation, using gentle movement or offering a warm bath may help them settle.
And remember that you do not have to handle prolonged crying alone. If you are worried about your baby's health or struggling with the situation, reach out to your pediatrician or someone you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Gas and Colic
1. How do I know if my baby has gas?
A gassy baby may pass gas, squirm, pull their legs towards their tummy or appear uncomfortable. However, passing gas is normal, and these signs do not necessarily mean that gas is causing your baby's crying.
2. What are the signs of colic in newborns?
Colic is associated with repeated periods of intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby. A baby may clench their fists, pull their knees towards their tummy, arch their back or become difficult to soothe.
3. How can I soothe a baby with gas?
Try a gentle burping break, keep feeding calm, use supervised tummy time while your baby is awake and try slow bicycle-leg movements. Some babies may also settle with gentle tummy massage.
4. Does every crying baby have colic?
No. Babies cry for many reasons, including hunger, tiredness, discomfort, overstimulation and the need for closeness. Colic is a specific pattern of frequent, intense crying in an otherwise healthy infant.
5. Do gas drops cure baby colic?
There is no reliable evidence that commonly used gas drops provide a consistent solution for colic. Do not give medicines or supplements to your baby without discussing them with your pediatrician.
6. When should I worry about baby gas and colic?
Seek medical advice if your baby has persistent or unusual crying, poor feeding, poor weight gain, repeated vomiting or other concerning symptoms. Breathing difficulty, unusual sleepiness, a seizure or a markedly abnormal cry requires urgent medical attention.
