Is anybody else's newborn gassy?

[chlobo]

Is there anything that will help? The poor guy is up a lot at night, most particularly, with gas pains. I don't know what to do for it.

[artgirl]

The three things that worked best for my ds when he was gassy were:

1. Tummies drops (or something like them)
2. Dr. Sears Baby book describes a baby stomach massage called the "I love you" massage that helps work gas bubbles through their intestines. Basically, you lay baby on his back. With your right hand draw the the letter "I" down the right side of of his belly. Then you draw an upside down "L". start from the top left of his belly and move across and then down the right side again. Finally the "U"... again upside down. Starting down on lower left of baby's belly... up, across and then down right side.
You do this slowly and I always said "I... love... you..." as I was doing the motions. I could FEEL the bubbles moving.

3. Also, lay baby on back. Take both of his ankles in your hands and bend his knees up to his chest. Straighten his legs back out... slowly with this.. and repeat.

The "I love you" massage seemed to me to work out burps and the knees to chest worked out farts.

Obviously, don't force anything. If your little guy really starts crying when you move his legs that way.. maybe do one leg at a time. Or starts gently with the pressure on his belly with the massage and increase as he can tolerate it.

Hope that helps.

[ashleep]

Bicycle his legs gently. That usually helped dd some. Also, check your diet. Some babes are particularly sensitive to broccoli and cabbage, onions, garlic. Some dairy.

DD was just a gassy baby no matter what. We got over the counter gas drops from the drug store. They are not absorbed into the bloodstream so they are OK for little babies. Mylicon is the brand name, simethicone is the active ingredient.

[ashleep]

Thanks artgirl! Those are great tips!

[Alohamelly]

Mine is gassy a lot at night. I'm trying to watch what I eat. We also use the Mylicon drops and Gripe Water, both with some success.

[Yuba_River]

Mine seems to get gassy around 4 or 5 every morning. Changing his position a lot seems to help a little, as does putting him belly-down on my chest for a while. He doesn't seem miserable, just really grunty and uncomfortable. It's so sad!