Infants passing gas frequently without having bowel movements can make them feel uncomfortable. The cause may be due to breastfeeding, formula milk, or eating a lot of solid foods... So, how can parents improve this situation? The article below will provide information to help parents reduce their worries.
1. What is excessive gas in infants?
According to pediatric experts, infants a few weeks to a few months old often have fewer bowel movements than newborns. This is considered a normal variation, and parents should not be overly concerned. When infants reach two months of age, they typically have bowel movements once a day or every few days.
Beyond this age, bowel movement frequency depends on the infant's diet. Breastfed babies may not have daily bowel movements as their bodies efficiently absorb all the nutrients from breast milk. The frequency of bowel movements may change as infants begin eating solid foods. Parents should observe which foods cause their babies to become gassy.
Additionally, newborns' digestive systems are still developing, making them more prone to gas and indigestion when exposed to external factors. Furthermore, infants who do not receive adequate nutrition and sleep may experience hindered growth and development. Prolonged gas and indigestion can also negatively impact the digestive system and overall health.
Therefore, if parents notice their baby is passing gas more frequently than usual, or if the gas has a strong odor, it indicates an underlying digestive issue. Parents should seek prompt intervention to alleviate their baby's discomfort.
2. Reasons for Excessive Flatulence in Infants
There are several reasons why newborns frequently burp and pass gas without having a bowel movement, and constipation might be one of them. This is common as hard, small, and dry stools can make it difficult for infants to defecate, leading to increased gas. However, in addition to constipation, diet can also contribute to excessive flatulence in infants.
For breastfed babies:
Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns. When exclusively breastfed for the first six months, infants rarely experience constipation because breast milk is easily digestible and provides all the necessary nutrients.
Moreover, in the first six weeks of life, breast milk contains a high amount of colostrum, which boosts the baby's immune system and protects against infections. Colostrum also helps newborns have easier bowel movements in the early days of life. When this substance is lacking, infants may have more difficulty defecating. Therefore, parents may notice their babies burping frequently but not having a bowel movement.
In cases where infants pass gas frequently, it may be due to the use of formula milk
Not all babies can be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Some babies require formula. When formula-fed, babies are more likely to swallow air, which can accumulate in the stomach and cause excessive gas without bowel movements. This is quite normal as the infant's digestive system is still developing. If a newborn experiences this without any accompanying symptoms of constipation or other digestive issues, parents do not need to worry excessively.
When starting to eat solid foods and transitioning to other types of food, infants may not have bowel movements but may pass gas frequently. This is completely normal as the baby is getting used to new foods other than breast milk or formula.
This change in food can make the baby's intestines unfamiliar, leading to gas. At this time, parents need to pay attention to the baby when they are getting used to any type of food to quickly identify foods that cause gas and avoid using those foods to prepare meals for the baby.
3. Some solutions parents can apply to help their baby burp less
Infants who pass gas more than 10 times a day can be considered completely normal. This is a natural reflex that helps expel gas from the stomach, making the baby feel comfortable and at ease. This situation is similar to the phenomenon of infants burping.
Most babies who experience frequent gas will gradually reduce as their digestive system fully develops. However, if the baby shows additional signs related to digestion, parents need to consider and intervene promptly.
Taking infants to see a pediatrician
For infants under 6 weeks old who pass gas frequently and do not have bowel movements for several days, parents should take them to see a doctor immediately. Frequent gas in infants can be related to several health issues such as high fever, skin rash, vomiting food, abdominal distension or bloating, excessive crying after eating, or refusal to breastfeed. Parents may also encounter cases where the baby is constipated, has hard stools, and has difficulty passing stools.
Other measures
After taking your baby to the doctor, parents can apply some additional improvement measures at home such as:
- Supplementing water for babies over 6 months old. Drinking plenty of water will help your baby overcome constipation, making the stool softer and easier to pass during bowel movements. In addition, parents should also consult their doctor about using laxative juices such as apple juice, pear juice...
- Parents need to adjust their child's diet when they enter the weaning stage. According to experts, babies should be fed from thin to thick foods, from little to much. At the same, parents should choose a variety of foods rich in fiber to help babies have easier bowel movements.
- Having babies do small exercises will help support the digestive system through leg movements.
- Parents can massage and bathe their baby with warm water. Both activities help the baby relax and massaging the abdomen can help relax the abdominal muscles, preventing bloating and making bowel movements easier.
- If parents have applied the above methods but the baby's burping condition still does not improve, the doctor may recommend using glycerin suppositories. The medicine will help the baby have easier bowel movements and reduce burping symptoms.
Therefore, frequent burping in babies can be caused by many factors and is also related to the baby's age and diet. However, if babies experience this burping condition, parents do not necessarily need to take their child to the hospital immediately as this can make the child more susceptible to infections from the hospital. Instead, parents should find out the exact cause to help their child improve the condition properly.
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