Gas discomfort is upsetting to some extent to every baby, and this is reflected in breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Contrary to the belief that gas pain is common and can bother a baby at any age, this is especially common in newborns and young children from one to four months. In addition, some babies suffer more than others due to congenital and environmental factors.
Gas discomfort is upsetting for every baby to some degree, and this is reflected in breastfeeding and bottle feeding. In addition, some babies suffer more than others due to congenital and environmental factors.
Gas is just air in the baby's tummy. The baby can swallow a lot of air with milk when feeding. He can also swallow air when crying and even when breathing.
Gaziki in a newborn is a common symptom of intestinal disorders, but is rarely a sign of a serious problem.
When an abdominal disorder strikes a child, the parents' first impulse is to find a safe and natural solution. But children obviously cannot tell us about the place and nature of their problem. Thus, knowledge of the signs of intestinal gas and observation of the infant are necessary to select an effective remedy.
What are the signs and symptoms of baby gas cars?
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Belching
Belching is a natural way of expelling gas accumulated in the stomach, and parents should ensure that their child belches during and immediately after eating. However, if your baby hiccups and regurgitates excessively, this may indicate that too much air is being swallowed during feeding.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is common in infants and may be normal. Most babies regurgitate during or shortly after feeding, and this is often accompanied by belching in the baby.
This can sometimes be due to the type of formula, ingredients in breast milk, too much or too fast feeding.
Bloating
The gas is mobile and, when it accumulates in the intestines, acts as a plug, forcing the flow of gastric juices to slow down or stop. A bloated stomach may be a sign that gas is entering the intestines, accumulating, pressing against the intestinal walls.
The pressure generated thus causes the abdomen to bloat, leading to pain and discomfort. A child's immature digestive system may not be able to cope effectively, and some children may develop painful cramps.
Flatulence
It is normal for babies to pass gas about 15 to 20 times a day. Air can enter the digestive system from several sources, including the normal digestion of milk or formula nutrients, as well as swallowing air during feeding and crying.
However, excessive gas production in newborns may indicate incomplete digestion of food due to very immature digestion processes.
Bad bacteria, viruses can also cause excessive gas production, flatulence, and even diarrhea. These infections may require medical attention.
Excessive moodiness
Crying is a baby's way of telling you something. Thus, crying occurs frequently and for many reasons, such as hunger, discomfort, loneliness, pain, fatigue, or gas.
Parents tend to describe the screaming while driving as sharper and sharper, as if the child is in pain.
In fact, with intestinal gas, you can notice that the child's face will turn red, the fists are clenched, the knees are pulled up to the chest or tense, the baby makes grunting sounds.
If a baby cries three or more hours a day and at least three times a week, he may have colic.
Anxiety or insomnia
Any form of discomfort will make it harder for your baby to fall asleep.
Why does the baby have gas?
Gas is a natural byproduct of the digestion of nutrients in breast milk or formula, and the digestive system usually excludes it without any discomfort. However, because the gas is mobile, it creates pressure in the opposite direction of the gastric flow. When the gas enters the intestines, it causes a painful build-up of pressure. This is facilitated by several factors:
Incorrect feeding technique
Poor breast or bottle grip results in too much air being swallowed while eating.
Cry
Crying can make your baby gulp for air, especially if they cry from hunger for a long period before eating. Since crying is both a symptom and a cause of gas, it can create a “vicious circle” that makes the problem worse.
Immature digestive system
The human digestive system is so complex that it has its own nervous system, enteral, which controls the transport of intestinal contents in a wave-like motion called peristalsis. The intestines of a newborn continue to develop after birth.
He learns how to efficiently process food, gas and form stools. Gas may also be present in a newborn due to the immaturity of the intestinal microflora, carbohydrate metabolism and hormonal regulation. Gas in babies can also be a symptom of constipation.
Food sensitivities and allergies
Breast milk contains food ingredients from the mother's diet. Some babies may be sensitive to these food elements. One study found a link between a mother's diet and colic symptoms. Mother's consumption of cow's milk, onions, cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower) and chocolate consumption were associated with more frequent colic symptoms in children.
However, there is usually no reason for a mother to limit her diet. Especially if it's a healthy meal. If you suspect your toddler is having a problem with food, try keeping a food diary to track symptoms such as your baby's gas, vomiting, or moodiness. If you feel that your baby is benefiting from diet restriction, talk to your doctor.
For a breastfed newborn, the introduction of hypoallergenic formula feeding can help if the baby reacts to cow's milk protein.
Too much lactose
Breast milk is often divided into front and back milk. Front milk, which is in the ducts closer to the exit, contains more sugar, lactose, and the next, rear milk, is richer in fat.
Some experts believe that excessive consumption of front milk leads to a relative overload of the body with lactose. This can contribute to excess gas or moodiness in babies. Many lactation experts recommend trying to empty each breast before moving on to the next.
Overfeeding
Overfeeding can cause problems if your baby's stomach cannot handle a lot of food.
Lactase deficiency
The temporary inability to get enough of the enzyme lactase, which is important for lactose digestion, is an explanation for some cases of colic or gas, but the link has not been proven.
Introduction of new products
New foods can make your baby gasp as their intestines learn to process them. Excessive foods high in sugar (juices, for example) can also cause your baby to have gas, or loose stools.
Microbial imbalance
Our digestion is assisted by literally trillions of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that work with our digestive enzymes to effectively break down food and nutrients.
Emerging evidence suggests that some healthy bacteria, such as lactobacillus reuteri, may play a role in gas depletion.
Yoghurts are also a great source of probiotics.
Several studies have shown that administering oral probiotics or probiotic foods can help children with gas if taken for several weeks. It is interesting to note that a breastfed baby is less tormented by gas, and this may be due to the presence of probiotics in breast milk.
Gasics occur less frequently in breastfed newborns than in bottle fed infants. The baby can control the flow of milk at the breast, he suckles at a slower pace, swallowing less air with milk. However, even a breastfed baby needs to regurgitate after every feed.
When a newborn has gaziki, what should parents do?
Sometimes attacks of gas formation in a baby are inevitable. This condition of the child can cause anxiety in the parents. But there are several methods that often help newborns from gas workers.
Massage
Many parents prefer this non-invasive and relaxing gas release technique.
The massage can be applied approximately 30 minutes after feeding or when symptoms appear:
- step 1:Place the baby on its back. You can start with a few circular leg movements, similar to a toddler riding a bicycle. This will help the baby to release gases;
- step 2: Massage the baby's belly. Do gentle, clockwise stroking movements. Your touch will help calm the baby and move gas along the intestines. The intestines "work" clockwise, so this is the best direction for massaging movements.
Do not press hard. It shouldn't hurt the child;
- step 3: Place the baby face down, belly on your lap. Move your legs gently to massage your stomach. This little pressure will help move the gas. You can also gently iron the back.
An infant massage can relieve your little one's belly problems and it doesn't take long.
Use of medicines
Exists Three types of gas medication, and each works differently:
- Simethicone... Simethicone is a drug that is marketed as a remedy for gas elimination. The medicine binds the gas bubbles together, which theoretically makes it easier for them to escape. Simethicone formulations usually contain synthetic ingredients such as artificial colors and flavors, as well as emulsifiers and fillers.
Simethicone has not been shown to be particularly effective in several studies;
- homeopathic remedies... Homeopathic medicines contain natural active ingredients that provide safety for newborns and provide effective relief. Unlike simethicone, homeopathic remedies do not require constant dosing;
- probiotics. New research shows that supplementing with a baby probiotic will alleviate some of the problems with infant gastrointestinal disease if applied for several weeks.
If the baby has been introduced to complementary foods, give some yogurt. It will fill your baby's intestines with various strains of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
How else can you help your child with gas?
Other ways to help relieve discomfort.
Swaddling
Many babies feel comforted when they are wrapped tightly in a blanket. Some pediatricians believe that swaddling mimics the sensation of newborns in the womb.
Many parents disapprove of this method. Most pediatricians are negative about swaddling. Parents must ultimately weigh the risks and benefits.
Try motion
Movement calms the child, helps to relax, as well as release gas.
- rocking the baby. Hold the baby in your arms and swing back and forth;
- take a short walk around the block. A change of scenery and soft background noise will help calm your baby so that he can fall asleep. Also, when the stroller moves and gently bounces, gases escape faster.
Pacifiers
Some babies calm down when they suck on a pacifier, but vigorous sucking on the pacifier can help swallow excess air.
Make sure the baby is not hungry or asking for something else when using the pacifier.
Bathe the child
A warm bath with drops of chamomile or lavender oil will help your child relax and calm down.
When is medical attention needed?
Call an ambulance if you notice signs of a more serious problem than babies have. These manifestations usually indicate that the child is sick and needs professional help.
To such symptoms relate:
- fever;
- a swollen, stiff, or tender belly in an infant;
- stools with blood or mucus;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- loss of appetite;
- pale skin;
- inability to suck;
- a cry that sounds different than normal or constant;
- difficulty breathing or change in breathing rate;
- drowsiness;
- the child becomes more moody when touched.
Prevention
- Try to quickly calm down the moody child. Many babies gulp air when they cry.
- Position your baby correctly when feeding. This will reduce the amount of air he swallows. Keep your baby's head above the belly and support it. This will help the child to swallow food correctly.
- Allow your baby to burp after each feed. If your baby has a particularly high amount of gas, you can interrupt the feed several times to get the baby to burp.
- Evaluate your bottle feeding technique.
Hold the bottle high enough to keep the nipple full. If the teat is only partially filled with milk, the baby will suck in air with the milk.
Listening to an infant suffering from stomach and intestinal pain can be difficult for anyone. But for new parents, this can be especially difficult. However, if your child is suffering, do not despair.
There are many things you can do to bring some relief to your child and yourself.
