Gas and stomach pain are very normal among infants which makes the baby colicky. This is common for both breastfed and formula-fed babies. Infants and toddlers may at times start crying for no reason and could also go for a hunger strike due to gas issues and stomach pain. Infants are more prone to this and that’s why many moms rely on Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants.
Limited or no movement in infants leads to the formation of gas bubbles which makes the baby colicky. Since infants cannot voice out their problems, it is advised you look out for signs if the baby is gassy. If your child is restless, crying constantly, and has trouble sleeping, chances are he/she is experiencing gas problems.
Read on to learn more on how you can prevent gas in babies and use Indian remedies for gassy babies.
13 Indian Home Remedies For Gas Problem In Infants Problems
If your baby is gassy, you will notice the baby passing on a little more gas than usual and then feels better. Gas troubles in infants are common and could start right after their birth or two weeks after. This is expected to subside by the time the child turns six months.
Infants are usually gassy due to their immature digestive systems. They swallow a lot of air during a feed — due to improper latching or when the baby is crying. Sometimes the baby could experience gas trouble due to their mom’s diet — in case the baby is on breastfeed. One can resort to apple juice for constipation for babies till the age of 2 years or can also try orange juice for baby constipation, if the baby is more than 10 months old.
When you find the baby crying or being fussy for more than an hour or the baby seems unhappy without eating properly or the baby squirms as though he’s uncomfortable and pulls legs up to their chest, it is an indication the baby is gassy.
Listed below are a few Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants which work wonders.
1. Asafoetida/Hing– Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants
Adding 2 pinches of Asafoetida to warm water and offering it to the baby is one of the well-known Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants. Also, applying Hing on the baby’s tummy can help but one should be aware of when and how to use Hing for babies.
Asafoetida/Hing can be used both internally and externally. However, applying externally is not as effective as giving internally. It is advised to give the solid block piece of Asafoetida for best results.
2. Warm water is a tested Indian home remedy for gas problems in infants
Offering only milk during the time of gas pain could make the baby even more colicky and can cause more pain. Offering warm water in place of warm milk could ease the baby’s stomach pain. This helps to release gas from the baby’s stomach.
Babies at times cry while passing out gas which is caused due to stomach heat. Offering warm water several times a day could help tackle this. You can also add cumin seeds to the water and offer them once a day.
Related Reading: Cow Milk For Babies – Benefits, Risks, and Precautions
3. Mustard oil massage the best Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants
Baby massage is scientifically proven to have many benefits. Giving an infant a massage with warm mustard oil followed by a warm water bath is one of the trusted Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants. A warm water bath helps the baby to sleep better and an oil massage helps to improve blood circulation.
Here is how to do:
- Boil a little mustard oil with a few garlic cloves and allow the oil to cool
- Massage the baby’s chest and feet with the cooled oil
4. Heat fermentation — recommended Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants
Dipping a towel in warm water and placing it on your baby’s tummy is one way to ease gastric pain in babies. Make sure you squeeze out the excess water before placing it on the baby’s tummy. You can check the warmth of the towel by placing it in your hand.
5. Burping helps in easing gas problems in infants
Burping is a must after every feed. Babies swallow air when they bottle-feed or breastfeed which could easily fill up their stomachs, and makes the baby feel uncomfortable. Burping them helps to remove the excess gas and make them take a proper and full feed.
Related Reading: 7 Signs You Are Overfeeding Your Baby (0-1 Years)
6. Place them on their tummy to get rid of excess gas in infants
One of the easiest and simplest Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants is to place the baby on their tummy. A change in position could be of ease for colicky babies. Placing them on their stomach or on your lap with a gentle pat or rub on their back helps to release gas. Do this when the baby is wide awake.
7. Castor oil and betel leaf – trusted Indian home remedy for gas problems in infants
Take a few drops of castor oil and heat it until lukewarm. Apply this oil to the navel region of the baby and cover it using a betel leaf. Castor oil is effective in stimulating the digestive system and helps in treating constipation. It clears gas and regularizes bowel movements.
8. Jeera (Cumin Seed) decoction
Cumin is known for better digestion and Jeera water for babies is highly recommended. Just add a tablespoon of Jeera to one liter of water. Let the water boil and allow it to cool. Making the child drink this water throughout the day helps in improving digestion and eases stomach pain and troubles in infants.
9. Bicycling baby’s legs
Bicycling your baby’s leg a few times a day helps to keep the gas away. When there is no sufficient movement in kids, there is an easy build-up gas. Giving the baby this bicycling movement helps to release gas. This is an easy technique that helps to keep the baby happy, active as well as playful.
Related Reading: 11 Tips To Encourage Babies To Roll Over
10. Ginger –trusted Indian home remedy for gas problems in infants
Ginger is best known to release gas and flatulence in babies. Adding ginger to your baby’s diet soothes and simplifies their digestion process. It is recommended to add a small pinch of ginger to the baby’s diet preferably after the 8th month.
11. Cardamom (Elaichi)
An easily available Indian home remedy for gas problems in an infant is to include cardamom or Elaichi in the baby’s diet. Elaichi is rich in minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium, iron, and vitamin C. It also can reduce the gas build-up in the stomach. Adding a few grains of cardamom in the baby’s food helps the baby fight gas problems easily.
12. Control the air
Excess air swallowed by babies during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding could lead to the accumulation of gas in the baby’s tummy. Always make sure to feed the baby in an upright position. Also, while bottle-feeding the baby, make sure the nipple is full of milk so that the baby does not need to swallow much. Moreover, avoid shaking the bottle too much which could create more bubbles.
13. Curd/Yogurt – best Indian home remedies for gas problem in infants
Yogurts are rich in probiotics. Probiotics help to ease GI troubles. Probiotics are generally safe to offer. It is also seen to reduce the gassiness in babies.
Related Reading: Age Wise Home Remedies For Loose Motions In Babies
How To Avoid Gas Problem In Babies
All babies pass on gas which is quite common. But if feel your baby passes gas than he or she should, it is time you start following our mentioned Indian home remedies for gas problems in infants. When babies cry or swallow air, tiny air bubbles form in their stomach or intestine causing more pain and pressure to the little one.
Simple home remedies which have been passed over to us for generations can help soothe a baby and probably help gas bubbles move more quickly out of the baby’s body. Babies take in extra air when they cry, and the more colicky your baby is, the more air the baby will ingest.
Until your baby’s immature digestive system is developed, there is one thing you need to take care of — GAS! Listed below are tips that can help you to avoid gas problems in infants.
1. Check for position
Bottle-fed babies can consume a lot of air bubbles. To combat this, tilt the bottle in a position where the milk is filled in the entire nipple, otherwise, the baby will swallow more air. Also, avoid shaking up the bottle too much before feeding which makes bubbles pile up.
2. Analyse what you and your child are eating
If you have recently introduced your child to solids, have a check on the items that are offered. Certain kinds of foods could be hard to digest which could cause excess gas formation. Also, in case you are breastfeeding, keep an eye on what you consume as foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage could cause excess gas to the baby through your milk.
Related Reading: 15 Common Foods That Can Be Unsafe For Babies
3. Try a formula designed for gassy babies
Sometimes the formula milk you are offering to your baby could make them fussier. Try to change the formula milk to a brand that is specific to gassy babies — in recommendation with your pediatrician. These formulas help fussy and gassy children and are tummy friendly.
Conclusion
It is common to have some amount of gas in children. A happy gassy baby is perfectly normal. However, despite following all the remedies mentioned above and yet the baby is crying and irritable, it is better to get in touch with the doctor.