6 Home Remedies For Gas Troubles In Babies

I remember the time when my nephew was 8 months old, he used to be uneasy during the day, sometimes in the evening and then for that matter even in the night with his incessant crying. When I look at him today, He’s a happy child, so why did he cry so much as a baby at those odd times? Was this colic? I saw my sister-in-law struggling at every step as her child grew. My nephew took the gas troubles to a completely different level. So there we were, looking for all sorts of remedies to ease my baby nephew’s discomfort. We did get lucky with a few good ones. I am sharing the 5 effective and easy remedies from all my findings and my nephew’s satisfaction to help you tackle with gas troubles for your baby.

1. Burp Burp: Hold the baby against your shoulder and gently rub her back in soothing motions starting from top of the back to the bottom.Once the baby has burped she will feel comfortable. Burping should be done post every feed. While feeding your baby, burp your baby when shifting her from one breast to another. Your doctor will also tell you to burp the baby after every feed.

2. Heeng (Asafoetida): We found this home remedy to be effective. You can mix a pinch of asafoetida (heeng, hing) in two tablespoons of warm water and apply on your baby’s navel in an anti-clockwise motion. Please make sure that the water temperature is lukewarm, and not hot for the baby. Asafoetida is renowned for its gas relieving properties and once applied to the baby’s navel, it releases the trapped gas.

3. Tummy time: Tummy time is effective to release the trapped gas. Once the baby lies flat on her stomach, it puts pressure on the stubborn gas bubbles thus forcing them to break down and pass through flatulence. On another note, tummy time is also effective in developing your baby’s motor muscles. More on building your baby’s motor skills in an upcoming blog.

4. Let’s go cycling: Yes, you got it right. You can help your baby cycle while she lies comfortably on her back. You could also do this when you massage your baby. It is an easy and effective way to relieve the baby of trapped gas. The tucking of knees into stomach puts a pressure on the stomach lining thus forcing the trapped gas to break down and pass through and relieves the baby. You already know this – Be gentle.

5. Tummy massage: When you give that oil massage to your baby, you could also massage her stomach in an anti-clockwise motion. Apply gentle pressure with the back of your fingers. I remember how I just loved finger writing the alphabets I, L and U on my baby’s tummy. This technique puts a pressure on the trapped gas resulting in its breakdown& relieving the baby.

6. Ajwain water: Adding the 6th point, as suggested by Harpreet (see in the comments section below) -- one of the proparents, we can boil a pinch of ajwain and a little pinch of salt in 10 spoons of water. Boil it to the point where only 5-6 spoons of water is left. Let it cool down till it becomes lukewarm. You may give this water to your baby to relieve her of colic.

I found these 6 remedies to be handy while I helped my nephew be relieved from his gas troubles. I learnt some of these from my sister-in-law while she raised her baby to a toddler. However, in case you observe that none of these remedies are helpful, then it’s time to consult your paediatrician. Have you got some more handy hacks you found effective while dealing with your baby’s gas troubles? Please do share them here in the comments section and let’s add to this list.