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If you've chosen to bottlefeed, you'll want to choose
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experts
How
can I ease my baby's gas?
Q: Our 1-month-old
seems to be experiencing a lot of gas-type of discomfort. Any suggestions?
A: The peak age for gas discomfort for children is 3 to 6 weeks. The
extra gas usually comes from swallowing air, which may lead to crying,
which may lead to swallowing more air. In some kids it may come from
something in mom's diet (if they are nursing) or from difficulty with
the formula, if they take formula.
Several things
may help. The more babies are carried throughout the day, the less
gas discomfort they have, especially in the evening. The gentle jostling
seems to help the gas find its way out. Tummy time also helps many
babies. The gentle pressure on the abdomen moves gas along when the
gas has built up. Laying the baby on his back and bicycling the legs
can help, as can sitting in a little warm water. Try getting caffeine
and caffeine-like products (including chocolate) out of your diet
if you breastfeed; this helps for most babies. And for some babies,
getting nuts or dairy out of your diet would help.
Simethicone drops
are safe and gentle. The studies about their effectiveness are plus/minus,
but many moms report that they work great for their babies.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.