Gas pain in infants

Gas pain in infants: Physiology and causes of discomfort

Increased gas production (flatulence) and the associated pain is an extremely common problem in infants, especially during the first 3–4 months of life. Parents often see their baby suddenly start crying, grimacing, reddening, and pulling their legs toward the abdomen. In most cases this is not a sign of illness, but merely a manifestation of the physiological immaturity of the digestive system, which is actively adapting to new conditions. Often this condition is part of the broader concept colic, but it can also exist as an independent issue.

Why do infants accumulate gas?

The reasons for increased gas production in infants can be divided into two major groups: swallowing excess air (aerophagia) and processes within the intestine itself.

• Aerophagia (air swallowing): This is the primary cause. Newborns and infants swallow a significant amount of air and cannot always get rid of it effectively.
  • During feeding: Improper latch to the breast, when the baby does not tightly encompass the areola, allows air to enter the mouth. With bottle feeding, the cause may be an excessively large hole in the nipple or an incorrect bottle angle. This is discussed in detail in our guide on the basics of breastfeeding.
  • During crying: Intense crying is always accompanied by swallowing a large amount of air, creating a vicious cycle: pain triggers crying, and crying intensifies the pain.
• Immaturity of the digestive system:
  • Enzymatic deficiency: Functional lactase deficiency leads to incomplete breakdown of milk sugar, causing fermentation and gas production.
  • Microbiome development: Active colonization of the intestine by microflora is a complex process that can also be accompanied by increased gas production.

Accumulated gas bubbles stretch the walls of the immature intestine, causing spasms and pain, which makes the baby cry and exhibit behavior similar to abdominal pain.