5 Safe Massage Techniques To Soothe A Gassy Baby

Your newborn may start experiencing gas a few days or weeks after birth. While this condition may typically resolve on its own in at least six to seven months, in some cases, it may last longer. The common causes of gassiness in your baby could be air swallowed while crying or feeding, possible food allergies, and hypersensitivity toward formulas. If you are breastfeeding, then your diet could also impact your munchkin’s stomach and cause gas. 

Nevertheless, gas formation can cause pain and discomfort in your little one’s tummy and turn them fussy. To soothe their uneasiness, you can try certain massage techniques that release the trapped gas and ease their digestive system. Read on to know more about baby massage to release trapped gas and other helpful tips to manage this condition in your munchkin. 

Common Symptoms of Gas in Babies

Passing gas is normal for your baby. But how do you determine that there is trapped gas inside your munchkin’s tummy, which is making them uncomfortable? Watch out for the following symptoms.

• Irritability and fussiness
• Bloating
• Crying as if they are in pain
• Passing gas frequently

5 Safe Massage Techniques to Help Relieve Gas in Your Baby

Massaging your baby’s stomach helps move the gas toward their bowel, and relieves conditions like colic, gas, and constipation. You can use nourishing baby oil to ensure proper movements and less resistance. We have discussed some daily massage techniques that can help ease your little one’s gassiness and offer comfort.

BabyChakra

Nourishing Baby Massage Oil

₹ 299

Add To Bag

• Hands of a clock: This massage technique must be performed in a circular motion. Using your right hand, make the bottom half of a semi-circle from your left to right on your baby’s tummy. Then with your left hand, make a full circle in a clockwise motion. Always perform this massage in a clockwise direction, with your left hand following your right.
• Paddling: Use the sides of your palms to make downward strokes on your baby’s tummy, from the rib cage to their pelvis. Make sure that each hand follows the other in a continuous motion.
• Fulling: Place your thumbs flat on your baby’s tummy and move them in a push-and-pull motion to the sides. Make two strokes each above and below your baby’s naval, and one stroke on either side of their tummy while moving out of their naval.
• Knees up: Hold your little one’s calves and knees gently, push their legs together toward their tummy, and hold it for around five seconds. Repeat this technique three to five times a day.
• Moonwalking: For this, you need to use your fingertips to walk across your baby’s abdomen from left to right. You can also do this above their naval area in a push-and-pull motion without poking.

Other Tips for Managing Gas in Babies

Other than the massage techniques discussed above, you can also use the following ways to manage gas in your baby.

• Ensure that your baby swallows less air while feeding by slowing down the milk flow. You can try different types of bottles or nipples to do this.
• Keep tummy relief oil handy at your home, such as BabyChakra’s tummy relief roll-on, which is formulated with natural and organic oils like ginger oil, fennel oil, and hing oil to relieve your baby’s tummy ache, bloating, gas, and acid-reflux issues. The tummy relief oil is calming for your baby and ensures a restful night’s sleep as well.
• Always burp your baby during and after their feeding session to remove excess gas from their stomach.
• You can also try laying your baby flat on their back, holding their legs in your hands, and moving them in a bicycling motion. In addition to this, you can try giving them some tummy time to pressurise the gas out of their body.
• If certain foods in your diet are causing gas in your baby, then refrain from consuming them. However, make sure to consult your doctor before doing so to avoid discontinuing beneficial foods.
• If you formula-feed your baby, then hold off on feeding them powdered formula, and use ready-to-feed formula instead.

The Moms Co.

Tummy Relief Roll On

₹ 167

Add To Bag

Conclusion

It is not uncommon for your newborn to develop gas, but this condition can cause a lot of discomfort in them, making them cranky and fussy. So keep an eye out for the symptoms we mentioned above and use the safe massage techniques to release the trapped gas from your little one’s tummy. If your little one’s gas symptoms persist even after massaging and trying other remedies, then consult a paediatrician immediately. 

Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com