My Baby Cries When Passing Gas

If your baby cries when she is passing gas, she is probably experiencing pain due to trapped gas in her abdomen.

Small babies often suffer from uncomfortable gas bubbles that form in their stomach and cause pain and irritation. Gas is especially prevalent in babies between 3 and 6 weeks of age, according to "Parents" magazine. If your little one cries when she passes gas, you may be able to help ease her pain by treating or preventing her gas.

Symptoms

If your baby cries and pulls his knees up to his chest, especially when he is passing some gas, it's likely that his stomach is hurting him due to the gas. Your baby may also lie on his side in a curled up position to try and help express his gas.

Causes

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Infant gas pains are caused when your baby has gas bubbles trapped in her digestive tract. These bubbles often form when your baby takes in excess air while eating.

If your child is breastfeeding, a change in your diet could also cause her to develop gas. Switching between types of formulas can also cause intestinal upset in infants.

Treatments

Talk to your doctor if your baby frequently cries when passing gas. She may recommend giving your child infant gas medicine made with simethicone.

You can also try more natural techniques to relieve your baby's pain.

Carry your child upright or lay him on his stomach to help him more easily pass gas without discomfort. Lay your baby on his back and pump his legs up to his chest in a bicycle motion. Let him relax in a warm bath to try and ease his pain. You may be able to help your baby get relief by laying him face down on your forearm or across your legs, allowing your arm or leg to place slight pressure on his abdomen and help him more easily release gas.

Prevention

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Ideally, you can prevent your child from developing gas in the first place. If you are breastfeeding, try eliminating caffeine and dairy from your diet and see if that helps your baby's stomach.

If your baby is bottlefed, use the appropriate size nipple to prevent her from taking in air while she eats.

Burp your baby frequently during feedings to keep air from getting into her digestive tract in the first place. After a feeding, keep your baby calm and still for at least 20 minutes to give her body time to properly digest her meal.