Baby Flatulence: Causes, Treatment & Help

Flatulence is air as well as other gases in the abdomen, making it painful, rumbling and sensitive to touch. Bloating in babies especially occurs in the first three months and can cause abdominal pain. This is also called three-month colic.

What characterizes flatulence in babies?

Bloating occurs in almost half of all babies. It makes the baby feel very uncomfortable, so this situation can be very distressing. Flatulence occurs in almost half of all babies. It makes the baby feel very uncomfortable, which is why this situation can be very stressful. The same is true for the parents as well. The air and gases enter the stomach through drinking, crying and breathing. This is now tense, it feels hard, air goes out and the baby pulls its legs to get rid of the agonizing gases. There are many causes for this. Some babies have to fight very hard with the air in the belly and burp after every meal, while other babies again have no problems at all.

Causes

The reasons for the discomfort have not yet been precisely determined. The metabolism of babies is particularly characterized by rapid growth. In the first six months, the birth weight approximately doubles, while it triples in the first year of life. Added to this are the partially immature functions of the organs. Some enzymes are not yet fully functional. Therefore, occasional flatulence is normal, because the intestinal flora is still developing. However, real colic in babies can have a variety of causes. In most cases, the colic phase is over by the fourth month of the baby’s life. Due to various processes, different gases are formed in the gastrointestinal tract. Intolerance to lactose and gluten also contribute to gas formation. Psychosomatic factors can also play a role, for example stress, restlessness and tension in the parents. If this is the trigger for the flatulence, it is shown by the fact that the crying of the infant, resulting from the abdominal pain, leads to conflicts in the relationship between the parents and the child. On the other hand, it is also evident by the fact that problems between the parents lead to greater restlessness in the baby. Babies who cry a lot swallow more air, which can lead to colic.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Milk protein allergy
  • Celiac disease
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Intestinal colic
  • Food intolerance
  • Gastrointestinal flu
  • Three-month colic
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Food poisoning

Diagnosis and course of the disease

In most cases, the bloating is normal and harmless. However, if the over bloating is very severe and no explanation can be found, the cause should be checked. The same applies if other complaints are added, for example, abdominal pain or stool irregularities. In this case, a doctor should be consulted. Personal lifestyle habits and current complaints are investigated. All cards must be on the table, even if it is sometimes embarrassing. This is followed by a physical examination and possible further diagnostic measures. First of all, the general state of health is checked. The baby’s abdomen is looked at, palpated, tapped and listened to with a stethoscope. The anal canal may also be examined. If a particular diagnosis is suspected, further examinations often follow for confirmation, for example metabolic or breathing tests to detect food intolerance. A food diary can also be helpful in this regard to determine which foods may be associated with the symptoms. Other options include laboratory analysis of stool and blood or an endoscopy to provide insight into the organs.

Complications

Flatulence in babies is harmless in most cases, even if it is uncomfortable for the baby. Complications can arise in babies who are already difficult to breastfeed or feed, because when they are unwell, they drink less or, in the worst case, not at all. However, small babies in particular need new food regularly and quickly become even sicker if they do not want to take it.Fortunately, parents quickly develop their very own methods of still whetting the baby’s appetite – and in this way, they may not even recognize it when flatulence in the baby becomes a little too frequent. Special care is needed in the first three months of life, because this is when the abdominal pain known as three-month colic can occur. Even though they usually do not need to be treated, the pediatrician should still have a look at them. Frequent flatulence in the baby is therefore a reason for clarification by the doctor. Furthermore, there is a risk that intolerances to certain foods and ingredients of baby porridges may be overlooked, leading to flatulence in the baby, because the parents are already aware of them and assume that everything is fine. So again, when the baby is first given porridge foods, to identify intolerances, the more accurate documentation of how the baby reacts to each new ingredient should be done.

When should you go to the doctor?

Typically, flatulence in babies occurs during the first 3 to 5 months. Parents recognize this by the fact that their child then strongly tightens his legs, whines or cries and generally seems restless. Flatulence in the baby is often associated with pain. The abdomen feels tense and hard. Between 25% and 50% of babies are affected by flatulence. This is often referred to as three-month colic. The cause of flatulence in babies is not yet fully understood. It is assumed that a still developing intestinal flora triggers the complaints. In addition, babies do not yet have all the digestive enzymes they need, so their intestines are initially still overloaded with various food components, which leads to the flatulence. If parents think that their baby is suffering a lot from flatulence or are worried that there is a disease behind it, it is best to take their infant to a pediatrician. If there is an illness, it will be treated immediately. If everything is fine, the parents are reassured. The pediatrician also knows advice on how to reduce flatulence in the baby, for example, through an optimal breastfeeding technique, fennel tea, caraway suppositories or a certain movement of the legs by the parents.

Treatment and therapy

A good help against flatulence in the baby is physical closeness by the parents. The so-called fly-grip therefore works very well. For this, the belly is placed on the forearm and the free hand is placed under the belly. The light pressure and warmth often relieve the baby’s tummy ache. Other good ways to relieve the bloating are a belly massage and warmth, for example by a hot water bottle or a cherry pit pillow. The pillow goes on the child’s belly, which is then massaged with a light pressure and circular movements. Light gymnastic exercises are also helpful. For this, the baby is placed backwards on the changing mat without a diaper. The bent legs are pressed lightly against the abdomen. The baby should remain in this position for about half a minute. Then the legs are slowly stretched out again. This exercise can be repeated several times. Tension in the abdomen can thus be released and the air can escape. Herbal teas, administered between meals but not replacing them, soothe the digestive organs. Fennel, anise and caraway have an antispasmodic effect. Simeticon and dimeticone (active ingredients) are sometimes administered in cases of very severe flatulence. For this, the pediatrician can advise.

Outlook and prognosis

Flatulence in babies is a normal part of the development of their metabolism. Therefore, they occur mainly in the first months of life of the little earthling, as long as the metabolism has not yet become accustomed to liquid and solid food. They are not problematic and will improve on their own, even if they occasionally cause the baby to cry. However, parents should pay attention, especially in the first weeks of life, to whether flatulence is frequent and associated with pain, which the baby will express by crying frequently. This, in turn, may indicate that there is an intolerance to the food. This does not usually occur with breast milk, but can occur with bottle feeding. In these cases, the baby needs a different bottle feed. If the baby is given solid food for the first time and reacts to it with flatulence, it helps to stop offering the triggering food at first.Probably the metabolism is not yet ready – if it is offered again a few weeks or months later, the baby already tolerates it much better. It is also advisable to feed babies only one type of vegetable or fruit at a time in the beginning. Firstly, this helps the metabolism to get used to the new food, and secondly, it is easier to determine what a baby reacts to with flatulence in order to stop offering corresponding foods at first.

Prevent

When feeding the baby with the bottle, it is important that there is no more foam in it from shaking. Regularly applied light, circular massages in a clockwise direction relax the abdomen. Additional caraway oil enhances the effect. The so-called burp after feeding makes it clear that the bloating has dissipated. There should be a sufficient interval between breastfeeding, because if new milk is constantly added, this can lead to digestive problems. It is also important that the baby’s mouth surrounds the nipple or the teat of the bottle well, so that as little air as possible gets into the stomach. Fennel tea or massages with caraway oil can prevent flatulence.

What you can do yourself

Babies often suffer from flatulence and are difficult to calm down. Here, proven home remedies provide relief. The fly handle is especially good for babies with flatulence. They enjoy being carried around, preferably in a sling. With the fly-grip, the baby is placed on its stomach on the forearm. The free hand is placed under his belly. The resulting warmth as well as the slight pressure relieves the abdominal pain. Furthermore, warmth reduces abdominal pain caused by flatulence. It makes sense to bathe the baby and then put on thick stockings. A warmed cherry stone or spelt grain pillow also provides relief. However, this should not be too hot! Alternatively, a hot water bottle is recommended. However, the hot water bottle should be covered with a cloth. The baby is then placed on it with its stomach. Parents should make sure that the cap is properly closed and that the temperature is not too high. Flatulence in the baby can also be reduced with light massages. Parents massage their baby’s belly with a little oil or ointment. In order for the gases to come out, the abdomen must be massaged in a circular and gentle clockwise motion. Midwives recommend helpful techniques. Afterwards, warm compresses can provide a comfortable feeling and reduce flatulence.