Gas In Infants

Just like adults suffer from problems of abdominal gas, so do infants. The question that arises of course, is how does the gas build up in an infant’s stomach when the little thing has consumed nothing but his mother’s milk? An infant can get gas from the very first time he/she drinks milk the first time, whether it is breast milk or formula. This is a natural consequence of the digestion of the lactose content consumed by the infant. Apart from the lactose content, infants are also affected by the mother’s diet. If the mother has consumed gas-producing foods, foods high in acidity or dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt and the likes, the infant can suffer from gas problems. Thus all new mothers are advised to carefully monitor their diet in the first six months till the infant has settled and has a stronger digestive system. Infants who are suffering from gas are usually in pain and cry incessantly. Apart from being irritable and cranky, they are unable to sleep peacefully.

There are several simple ways to relieve the gas in an infant’s stomach. One of the most effective methods to reduce the gas in an infant’s stomach is by making the baby burp. After every feed, the baby should be placed on the shoulder and his/her back should be patted, so that she/he burps. However this does not get rid of all that gas in the baby’s stomach and when the baby has excessive gas in the stomach she/he can be in intense discomfort. It is thus important to use other methods to relieve this build up of gas in the infant’s stomach. Asafetida is extremely beneficial for treating this problem, so 1 tsp of asafetida seeds can be mixed with some warm coconut oil and this oil can be used to gently massage the infant’s abdomen. It helps the baby to pass the gas and the baby feels relaxed and is able to sleep. Another way to ensure that the gas is passed is by placing a small amount of this asafetida mixed in some oil, on the belly button of the infant and covering it with a piece of cloth. If the asafetida is left there while the infant sleeps, it ensures that the baby is not troubled by the gas. Similarly cumin seeds are also helpful in treating gas in infants. Water prepared by mixing a few seeds of asafetida or cumin seeds in boiling water is also beneficial for relieving gas. Once a baby starts taking some water after a few months, this water can be given orally every few hours to the baby, to help relieve the gas.