Gas Pain in Newborns

Gas Pain in Newborns: Why It Happens and How to Help

Increased gas production (flatulence) is a completely normal part of the newborn’s digestive system adapting to a new type of feeding. The immature intestine is still learning to digest breast milk or formula, and the process of colonisation by beneficial bacteria can be accompanied by increased gas release. Sometimes this gas builds up, stretching the intestinal walls and causing pain and discomfort, which leads to crying.

Causes of increased gas production

• Swallowing air. This is the most common cause. The baby can swallow excess air while feeding (due to improper latch to the breast or a too‑large hole in the bottle nipple) or during intense crying.
• Immature digestive system. The child’s enzyme system is not yet fully developed, which can lead to incomplete breakdown of lactose (milk sugar) and increased fermentation in the gut.
• Sensitivity to the mother’s diet. Some breast‑fed infants may experience increased gas as a reaction to certain foods in the mother’s diet (e.g., cabbage, legumes, cow’s milk).

How to distinguish gas pain from colic?

Gas pain and colic are very similar in presentation and are often interrelated. However, gas pain usually has a clearer link to feeding and often eases after the baby manages to release gas or have a bowel movement. The baby may grimace, turn red, and pull the legs up. Colic, on the other hand, often appears as unexplained crying bouts that are hard to soothe.

Help methods

The main task is to help the gas escape. Effective techniques include placing the baby on their stomach before feeding, clockwise abdominal massage, the “bicycle” exercise, and holding the baby in an upright position (“vertical hold”) for burping. Read about evidence‑based help methods in our article.