GASSY newborn

[loliac]

Man, I'm posting on here a lot!

I know that their little tummies aren't developed until something like 12 weeks. So, I'm keeping that in mind. My DS is having a LOT of trouble with his naps because of gas. We have tried all the tricks, burping, bicycling legs, and keeping him upright after feeds. But short of holding him all the time, eventually when he is into his nap, he'll get gassy and start crying and getting all worked up. Do we rush in right then and try to eliminate the gas? It's very hard to put him back down after that but he needs the sleep! Thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Samuel's mum]

Just be aware that optimum latch minimizes gas so if you have any question marks with your latch get some support. But it doesn't have to mean there's a problem and if you are not sore that's probably not the issue.
It helps to reduce gas if his upper body is slightly higher than his lower body during the feed. So if you are using the traditional cradle hold just put one more small cushion under his head end.
Is he bobbing on and off? That can also contribute. Is he's struggling with fast flow?

Also important to make sure he isn't just filling up on the thinner part of the feed (i.e. the foremilk) as that contains more lactose and that contribute to more gas. So if he is falling asleep before a feed is finished use some breast compressions (see the FAQ board). And just be conscious of the need to 'finish' one side (although it's never completely emptied). Sometimes babies are gassier if mums are double-sided feeding and have been advised to switch to the second side after a certain length of time. Or when mums have oversupply and babies fill up on the foremilk (some mums let the first flood of milk go into a cloth or even pump an oz prior to a feed if that's the case).

Mum's diet can contribute to gas but that is rare. Due to his age it's much more likely to be related to foremilk excess, supply settling down, positioning or simply be developmental.
There are products you can use - like gas drops - but obviously they contain additives and are a last resort in my view.

To answer your question directly I wouldn't always rush right in as some babies squirm and adjust gas in their systems without fully waking. But you could put a hand on his tummy and apply a little pressure or pat to see if that helps.

[loliac]

What a GREAT reply. Thank you soooooo much. I am not sore, so I'm not thinking it's latch but I will make sure that I am aware of DS getting the hind milk and also to elevate his head. We'll see if that works today!

[Tamar A]

I didn't know that about the foremilk; I've been switching DS because he slows down after a few minutes on a side. Could explain the gas, since diet modification didn't work. Good luck loliac!

[Lex444]

Good luck! My lo is 15 weeks now and we had this from 2 weeks until, well, it still happens occasionally now. Everything Sam's mum says is great, particularly about draining the first breast first, which really helped me. I had an oversupply and ended up doing one-sided feeding which helped us.

My only other addition would be to hang in there. I KNOW it sucks, but it really does get better over time, as the baby's gut matures.