Dealing With Gas and Colic: Experienced Parents Share Their Tricks
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Gas and colic might sound like one of those “common baby things” everyone goes through—but that’s little consolation when you’re pacing the nursery at 2 a.m. after four hours of crying. While gas may come and go, colic (when a baby under 3 months cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, and more than three weeks in a row) can be especially challenging to navigate.
But whether it meets the definition of colic or not, when baby’s tummy hurts, it’s heartbreaking, exhausting and loud. The good news? There are ways to ease their discomfort and get everyone back to calm. Here’s what real parents swore by when it came to soothing those tiny tummies.
When my daughter was 6 weeks old, we tried baby yoga. I thought it would be yoga for me, but surprise—it was for babies! It might sound a little out-there, but we learned some amazing gas-relieving moves, like bicycling her legs or gently bringing her knees to her chest. I picked up the techniques quickly, and they really seemed to help her feel better. Plus, it turned into a fun bonding experience for both of us. Annabelle, 38
When my baby seemed extra uncomfortable, a warm bath often did the trick. I’d gently swirl the water around his belly and sometimes even lay a warm washcloth across his tummy. The combination of warmth and relaxation seemed to help ease the gas and settle him down. Yvonne, 35
I had gotten gripe water as part of a newborn kit, and gave it a try one day. I gave him a small amount as directed, and moments later, the crying started to ease. He even let out a burp, which felt like a victory. Bianca, 35
My lactation consultant suggested paying attention to my baby’s cues and feeding him before he got too hungry. When she observed us, she felt like he was gulping too quickly, and that was contributing to gas buildup. So I began really watching him, noticed he would do this little mouth-opening motion, and that became my signal to feed him—even if it wasn’t exactly on schedule. Responding to his cues ended up working so much better for both of us than sticking to a strict feeding routine and seemed to stave off the endless crying sessions. Robin, 37
Tummy time, about 30 minutes after eating, worked wonders for us. I started when my baby was about 8 weeks old since, before that, he’d fall asleep right after eating. The tummy time helped him burp or pass gas, which made him calmer and led to longer, more restful naps. He especially loved doing tummy time in front of a mirror—it was his favorite spot! Amina, 29
My yoga ball became my go-to for soothing my newborn. I’d gently bounce for about 20 minutes—especially when she was really worked up. The movement and being snuggled against me seemed to help. I’d also play loud music, which did wonders to calm me down. Eventually, she’d let out a burp, so I’m convinced the bouncing helped work the gas out of her system. Sarah, 29
After a day of nonstop crying, a new mom friend gave me gas drops. I called our pediatrician to see if it was OK, and got the OK to try. A few minutes later, my son emitted the loudest fart I had ever heard. Best sound ever. Gas drops quickly earned a permanent spot in our diaper bag. Gabby, 34
After what felt like endless trial and error, we switched to a slow-flow bottle with an anti-colic vent. It made a huge difference. He stopped gulping as much air during feedings, and I noticed he wasn’t as fussy afterward. Cheyenne, 34
My newborn was very fussy after every feed, and burping only helped him minimally. My lactation consultant recommended tweaking my diet—especially focusing on my caffeine and dairy intake. I ended up cutting out caffeine entirely and drastically reduced dairy. That did the trick. For me, keeping a food journal of what I ate and subsequent behaviors was helpful in the early days. My son is now 2 and doesn’t have any allergies, but there were definitely foods he was very sensitive to as an infant, so it was worth it to pay extra attention. Denise, 38
Two top products to try:
1. Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water Made with organic ginger and fennel, Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water can help gently settle tiny tummies and is safe for babies 2 weeks and up. Its trusted formula has been used by moms for over 25 years and is free from added sugar, colors, alcohol and the top nine allergens. You can give your infant this herbal supplement with the included syringe or in an empty slow-flow bottle to soothe your baby from occasional fussiness or stomach discomfort.
Buy now: Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water, $12.99
2. Mommy’s Bliss Gas Relief Drops Made with simethicone, these gas drops help break up bubbles in baby’s tummy within minutes. This gentle formula is Clean Label Project Verified, and contains no dyes, artificial colors or flavors. With a sweet (sugar-free) taste, the liquid is easy to measure and give to baby orally with the included syringe or mixed with formula or breastmilk in a bottle.
Buy now: Mommy’s Bliss Baby Gas Relief Drops, $9.99
For a great value, get both of these, as well as Vitamin D drops and saline drops with the Mommy’s Bliss Newborn Essentials Gift Set, $24.99.
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Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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