Definition
Flatulence is the accumulation of gas in the intestine. In babies they are mainly caused by increased air swallowing during feeding or by fermentation processes of food components during digestion. These are naturally occurring gas mixtures of oxygen, nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. They are transported with the stool in the direction of the rectum and can escape through it. Depending on the quantity and composition of the gas, the flatulence can cause pain or take on an unpleasant smell.
Causes
The causes of flatulence in babies can be many and varied. The most common cause of flatulence is increased air swallowing during feeding. If the baby swallows air in addition to breast milk as a result of a hasty drink, this leads to an increased accumulation of gas in the stomach.
Normally a large proportion of gases can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal mucosa and then breathed out through the lungs. However, if the proportion of gas is too high or if the air is trapped in the food in the form of small bubbles, the air reaches the intestines. The resulting flatulence is rather odourless.
Flatulence only becomes odour-intensive when its gas is present in mixtures. Mixtures are mainly caused by fermentation processes during digestion. These are mainly caused by naturally occurring intestinal bacteria that decompose nutrients.
It is mainly the breakdown of protein that can lead to malodorous flatulence in the form of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia or butyric acid. Reduced peristalsis favours the development of flatulence, as the stool remains longer in one part of the intestine. Bacteria thus have more time to produce gases from food components, which lead to a widening of the intestinal loops.
Visually, this manifests itself in babies with a bloated, round belly. This is also often present when there are food intolerances. If food components such as lactose or fructose cannot be digested, these nutrients remain in the intestinal lumen. Bacteria therefore only digest them and cause increased gas development.
Can breastfeeding be the cause of flatulence?
Breastfeeding can lead to flatulence in the baby. One reason for this is the increased air swallowing during feeding. Especially when drinking hastily, babies do not completely enclose the nipple or the nipple with their mouth, so that they swallow air in addition to milk.
For this reason, babies usually burp after feeding by gently patting their back after feeding. If the gas cannot be excreted in this way, it enters the intestine and is excreted through the rectum. Another reason may be the still incomplete maturation of the baby’s gastrointestinal system.
Although the baby’s intestine is present as an organ at birth, it does not yet function as in an adult. It is only with breast milk and food that it comes into contact with nutrients for the first time and has to break down the food on its own. This process must be learned and requires some practice.
In addition, colonisation of the intestine with natural intestinal bacteria can be reduced. Especially bifidus and lactic acid bacteria are important for a regulated digestion. The child obtains these through contact with the external environment and through the administration of breast milk. The task of the bacteria is, apart from supporting the immune system in the intestine, to break down dietary fibres. If this natural component is missing, flatulence is also increased.
