Baby gas and colic causes: Baby Gas & Colic: Why Some Babies Are Gassier Than Others & What Actually Provides Relief

Written by Dr. Emily Hartwell, MD, FAAP | Medically reviewed March 15, 2026 | Last updated June 2, 2026

There’s a reason gas is the number one digestive complaint in babies. Your baby’s digestive system is, for lack of a better term, brand new. It’s running software that hasn’t been fully installed yet. The gut motility patterns that adults take for granted — the coordinated waves of muscle contraction that move food and gas through the digestive tract efficiently — are still being calibrated.

The result? Gas gets trapped. Pockets of air build up. Your baby’s tummy feels bloated and uncomfortable. And you’re left holding a screaming infant at 11 PM, wondering if anything will help.

I’m going to explain exactly why this happens, which babies are most prone to it, and — critically — which remedies actually work based on evidence and which are just marketing.

PART 1: Why Babies Get Gassy: The Biology of Infant Digestion

Looking for the best options? Check out Best Baby Gas Relief Products: Drops, Gripe Water & Anti-Colic Bottles Reviewed by a Pediatrician.

Let’s start with the science, because understanding the “why” helps you understand which interventions make sense.

1. Immature gut motility

Your baby’s intestines use a process called peristalsis — coordinated, wave-like muscle contractions — to move food, liquid, and gas through the digestive tract. In newborns, these contractions are uncoordinated and inefficient. Instead of smooth, directional waves, you get disorganized, sometimes contradictory contractions. Gas doesn’t move through the system efficiently, so it accumulates.

This is why babies often seem gassiest in the first 3 months and why gas improves significantly as the nervous system matures.

2. Underdeveloped gut microbiome

Your baby’s gut is being colonized by bacteria from birth. These bacteria play a crucial role in digestion — they break down complex carbohydrates that the baby’s own enzymes can’t handle, producing gas (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and sometimes methane) as a byproduct.

In the first months, the microbiome is still establishing its composition. During this settling period, gas production can be higher because the bacterial community isn’t yet optimized. Breastfed babies tend to have less gas because breast milk promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium, which produces less gas than some other bacterial species.

3. Small digestive tract

A newborn’s entire intestinal tract is roughly 3 meters long (compared to about 7.5 meters in adults). But proportionally, babies swallow a lot of air relative to their digestive tract size. Every gulp of air during feeding takes up a larger percentage of the available space in a tiny belly.

4. Swallowing air during feeding

This is the most modifiable cause of gas. Every baby swallows some air during feeding, but the amount varies enormously depending on:

• Feeding position
• Bottle design
• Latch quality (for breastfed babies)
• Feeding speed
• Crying before/during feeds (crying babies swallow large amounts of air)

5. Diet and digestion

Certain components of breast milk or formula can produce more gas when fermented by gut bacteria:

• Lactose (the primary carbohydrate in both breast milk and formula) is fermented by gut bacteria if not fully absorbed — producing gas
• Cow’s milk proteins (in formula or passed through breast milk) can cause digestive discomfort in sensitive babies
• Foremilk/hindmilk imbalance (excess lactose from foremilk) can overwhelm lactase capacity, leading to gas production

PART 2: Gas vs. Colic vs. Reflux: Telling Them Apart

These three conditions overlap significantly, and parents often use the terms interchangeably. But they’re different, and the distinction matters for treatment.

Important note: These conditions can coexist. A baby can have gas AND colic, or gas AND reflux. Treating one may not resolve the other.

When “gas” might be something else:

• If your baby’s symptoms are severe and persistent, consider cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA)
• If crying is truly inconsolable and lasts for hours, consider colic
• If there’s significant spitting up with arching and feeding refusal, consider reflux
• If there’s blood in stool, eczema, or vomiting beyond typical spit-up, consider CMPA or other pathology

PART 3: The Most Common Causes of Excess Gas

1. Swallowed air during feeding

This is the #1 cause of excess gas. Every milliliter of air swallowed is air that needs to come out — either as a burp or as flatulence. The amount of air swallowed depends on:

• Bottle angle: if the bottle is too horizontal, the baby sucks in air with every pull
• Nipple flow rate: too fast = gulping = more air; too slow = excessive sucking = more air
• Latch quality: a shallow latch allows air to enter around the nipple
• Crying: a crying baby can swallow enormous amounts of air
• Feeding position: a reclined position promotes air swallowing; upright reduces it

2. Overactive letdown (breastfed babies)

If the breastfeeding parent has a strong, fast letdown, the baby may gulp milk rapidly, swallowing air in the process. Signs include: baby pulling off the breast during letdown, clicking sounds during feeding, choking or coughing at the breast, and green, frothy, gassy stools.

Management: let the initial letdown happen into a cloth or catch, then latch baby when the flow has slowed. Try laid-back breastfeeding positions that let gravity slow the flow.

3. Foremilk/hindmilk imbalance

If a baby gets too much foremilk (high-lactose, low-fat first milk) and not enough hindmilk (higher-fat later milk), the excess lactose can overwhelm the baby’s lactase capacity. Undigested lactose ferments in the colon, producing gas. Signs include: green, frothy, explosive stools; frequent, gassy, uncomfortable baby; and mother may notice engorgement or oversupply.

Management: offer one breast per feeding or use block feeding (same breast for 2-3 hours).

4. Cow’s milk protein sensitivity

Even without a full allergy, some babies are sensitive to cow’s milk proteins passed through breast milk or present in formula. This can cause increased gas production, bloating, and fussiness. A trial elimination of dairy (from the breastfeeding parent’s diet or by switching formula) can help identify this.

5. Immature gut bacteria

As mentioned above, the developing microbiome produces more gas during the establishment phase. This is self-limiting and improves as the bacterial community matures.

PART 4: Remedies That Work (Evidence-Based)

1. Burping Techniques

Effective burping removes swallowed air from the stomach before it passes into the intestines, where it causes more discomfort.

Three effective positions:

Over-the-shoulder:

• Hold baby upright against your shoulder, with their head resting on or just above your shoulder
• Support their bottom with one hand
• Gently pat or rub their back with your other hand
• Keep a cloth over your shoulder (you may get spit-up)
• Duration: 1-2 minutes, or until burp occurs

Sitting upright:

• Sit baby on your lap, facing forward
• Lean them slightly forward
• Support their chest and chin with one hand (support the chin, NOT the throat)
• Gently pat or rub their back with the other hand
• Good for babies who prefer seeing what’s in front of them

Face-down on lap:

• Lay baby face-down across your lap, with their head slightly elevated above their body
• Support their head with one hand
• Gently pat or rub their back with the other hand
• The pressure on the tummy can help release gas
• Some babies prefer this position

When to burp:

• During feeding: every 1-2 oz for bottle-fed babies, or when switching breasts for breastfed babies
• After feeding: always attempt a burp for 1-2 minutes
• If baby seems uncomfortable during feeding: pause and attempt burping

2. Bicycle Legs / Knee-to-Chest

This movement helps move trapped gas through the intestines by mechanically compressing and releasing the abdomen.

How to do it:

• Lay baby on their back on a firm, safe surface
• Hold baby’s ankles gently
• Move legs in a bicycling motion: alternate bringing one knee toward the chest, then the other
• 10-15 repetitions
• Can also do both knees to chest simultaneously: gently press both knees toward the belly, hold for 5 seconds, release
• Repeat 5-10 times
• You may hear/feel gas being released

Best timing: when baby seems gassy, before feeding (to clear existing gas), or as part of a routine after feeding (after attempting burp first).

3. Tummy Time (Timed Correctly)

Tummy time puts gentle pressure on the abdomen, which can help move gas. However, timing matters:

• Wait at least 20 minutes after a feeding before tummy time
• Placing a baby on their tummy immediately after feeding increases spit-up risk
• Short sessions (2-5 minutes) several times a day
• Supervised only — always place baby on their back for sleep

4. Proper Feeding Position

Feeding baby in an upright position (at least 30-45 degrees) reduces air swallowing. This applies to both breast and bottle feeding:

• For bottle feeding: hold baby semi-upright, not flat on their back
• For breastfeeding: try upright or laid-back positions
• Avoid feeding baby while they’re lying flat

5. Anti-Colic Bottles

Bottles with vented systems allow air to enter the bottle without the baby having to swallow it. The air goes through a vent into the bottle rather than through the nipple into the baby’s mouth. I review the best options in the Gas Relief Products guide [C3].

6. Simethicone Drops

Simethicone (active ingredient in Mylicon, Little Remedies Gas Relief) works by reducing the surface tension of gas bubbles in the digestive tract. This causes small bubbles to merge into larger ones that are easier to pass — either as burps or flatulence.

Key facts about simethicone:

• NOT absorbed into the bloodstream — it works entirely within the digestive tract
• Considered very safe for infants
• Available over the counter
• Typical dose: 0.3-0.6 mL per feeding, up to 4 times daily (check product label)
• Evidence: mixed. Some studies show modest benefit; others show no difference from placebo. However, the safety profile is excellent, so a trial is reasonable.
• Works best as part of a comprehensive gas management plan (not as a standalone solution)

PART 5: Remedies That Might Work (Limited Evidence but Low Risk)

1. Gripe Water

Gripe water is a traditional remedy that has been used for generations. Modern formulations typically contain a combination of:

• Ginger (carminative — may help reduce gas)
• Fennel (traditional digestive aid)
• Chamomile (mild calming effect)
• Sometimes dill, peppermint, or other herbs

Evidence: limited. There are no large, rigorous clinical trials of gripe water for infant gas. Parent reports are mixed — some swear by it, others notice no effect. Some small studies suggest modest benefit for colic symptoms.

Safety considerations:

• Choose alcohol-free formulations (most modern products are)
• Avoid products with sucrose or artificial sweeteners
• Check for allergens in your baby’s specific product
• Generally considered low risk, but not risk-free
• Do not give to babies under 1 month without pediatrician guidance

2. Probiotic Drops (L. reuteri)

The probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) has the strongest evidence for reducing crying time in colicky infants, particularly breastfed infants. Multiple randomized controlled trials have shown a reduction in crying time of approximately 30-50 minutes per day compared to placebo.

Evidence: moderate to strong for colic; less clear for gas specifically

Onset of effect: may take 1-2 weeks of daily use

Safety: excellent — this is a naturally occurring probiotic strain

I review the best L. reuteri products in the Baby Probiotics guide [C1].

3. Warm Bath

A warm bath relaxes the abdominal muscles and can provide comfort. The warmth may help relax the intestinal muscles, allowing trapped gas to move more easily. This is more of a comfort measure than a targeted treatment, but it’s low-risk and many parents report benefit.

4. White Noise

White noise doesn’t directly affect gas, but it can calm a baby who is distressed by gas pain. A calm baby swallows less air (crying babies swallow a lot of air), so there’s an indirect benefit. Use white noise at a safe volume (under 50 dB at the baby’s ear).

PART 6: Remedies That Don’t Work (Save Your Money)

1. Homeopathic “Gas Relief Tablets”

Homeopathic products are, by definition, diluted to the point where no active ingredient remains. They contain only sugar pellets. They cannot and do not treat gas, colic, or any other condition. The FDA has warned against using homeopathic products for infant conditions. Save your money.

2. “Gas-Relief” Pacifiers

Some pacifiers are marketed as “gas relief” or “anti-colic” pacifiers, claiming that their shape reduces air swallowing. There is no evidence that pacifier shape affects gas. Pacifiers can actually help by providing a calming sucking reflex (calm babies swallow less air), but any pacifier does this — you don’t need a special “gas relief” version.

3. Special “Anti-Gas” Positioning Devices

Wedges, inclined sleepers, and special positioning devices marketed for gas relief have no evidence base. Many are not recommended by the AAP due to safe sleep concerns. Your arms, a football hold, or an upright carry position work just as well — and they’re free.

PART 7: Prevention: Reducing Gas Before It Starts

The best gas treatment is prevention. Here’s how to minimize gas from the start:

Feeding technique:

• Feed baby in an upright position (at least 30-45 degrees)
• Ensure a deep latch for breastfed babies (mouth wide open, lips flanged, chin touching breast)
• For bottle feeding: use paced bottle feeding — hold the bottle horizontally so milk fills the nipple but doesn’t flow too fast
• Keep the bottle at an angle that keeps the nipple full of milk (not air)
• Take burping breaks every 1-2 oz (bottle) or when switching breasts (breast)

Managing overactive letdown:

• Let the initial letdown happen into a cloth before latching baby
• Try laid-back breastfeeding positions
• Consider block feeding if oversupply is the issue

Reducing crying time:

• Respond promptly to hunger cues (a crying, hungry baby feeds frantically and swallows air)
• Watch for early hunger signs: rooting, hand-to-mouth, lip smacking
• Keep baby calm before feeds when possible

Dietary considerations (breastfeeding parent):

• Some babies are sensitive to dairy in the breastfeeding parent’s diet
• A 2-3 week trial of dairy elimination can help identify sensitivity
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) in the parent’s diet are often blamed for baby gas, but evidence is limited — the gas-producing compounds don’t pass into breast milk in significant amounts
• Keep a food/symptom diary if you suspect dietary triggers

PEDIATRICIAN’S TAKE

“Gas is the most common digestive complaint I hear about, and I want parents to know two things. First: some gassiness is completely normal. Babies have immature digestive systems, and they’re going to be gassier than adults. This improves with time — almost always by 3-4 months. Second: the remedies that work best are the simple ones. Good burping technique, proper feeding position, and bicycle legs will do more than any product you can buy. Simethicone drops are safe and may help a little. Probiotics (specifically L. reuteri) have decent evidence for colic. Everything else — gripe water, special bottles, gas-relief pacifiers — is somewhere between ‘might help a little’ and ‘save your money.’ If your baby’s gas is severe, persistent, or accompanied by poor weight gain or blood in stool, we need to look deeper — this could be a protein allergy or something else that needs medical attention.”

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— Dr. Emily Hartwell, MD, FAAP

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

Call your pediatrician if:

• Gas is accompanied by poor weight gain
• Your baby seems in severe pain that isn’t relieved by usual measures
• Gas is accompanied by blood in stool
• Your baby is vomiting forcefully (not just spit-up)
• Your baby has a distended, firm abdomen
• Gas symptoms persist beyond 4-5 months (most babies outgrow it by then)
• You suspect a food allergy or intolerance

Seek urgent care if:

• Your baby is inconsolable for hours and you can’t identify the cause
• Green (bilious) vomiting
• Blood in stool with severe fussiness
• Signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers, no tears, sunken fontanelle)

RELATED ARTICLES

• The Pediatrician’s Baby Poop & Digestive Health Guide [P]
• Baby Poop Color Guide: What Green, White, Red & Black Stools Really Mean [I1]
• Baby Constipation: How to Identify It, What Causes It & What Actually Helps [I2]
• Best Baby Gas Relief Products: Drops, Gripe Water & Anti-Colic Bottles [C3]

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Best Baby Gas Relief Products: Drops, Gripe Water & Anti-Colic Bottles [C3]
• Best Baby Probiotics for Digestion & Colic Relief: Strain-by-Strain Review [C1]
• Top 5 Gentle Formulas for Sensitive Tummies: Pediatrician-Reviewed [C2]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Is it normal for my newborn to be so gassy?

A: Yes. Newborns have immature digestive systems, and gas is extremely common in the first 3 months. Most babies are gassiest between 2-8 weeks and improve significantly by 3-4 months as gut motility matures and the microbiome stabilizes.

Q: Does my diet cause my baby’s gas?

A: Probably less than you think. The idea that everything the breastfeeding parent eats will cause baby gas is largely a myth. The gas-producing compounds in foods like broccoli, cabbage, and beans are created by bacterial fermentation in YOUR gut — they don’t pass into breast milk. However, cow’s milk protein CAN pass into breast milk and cause digestive discomfort in sensitive babies. A 2-3 week dairy elimination trial can help determine if this is a factor.

Q: When should I switch formula for gas?

A: Try other interventions first (burping technique, feeding position, anti-colic bottle) before switching formula. If gas is persistent and severe, talk to your pediatrician about trying a partially hydrolyzed formula. Give any formula change at least 2 weeks before judging effectiveness. Frequent formula switching can actually worsen digestive symptoms.

Q: Can probiotics help with baby gas?

A: There’s moderate evidence that Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) can reduce crying time in colicky babies, particularly breastfed babies. The effect on gas specifically is less well-studied. Probiotics are safe to try, but don’t expect dramatic results. They work best as part of a comprehensive approach.

Q: How long does colic last?

A: Colic follows a predictable timeline: it typically starts around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks around 6 weeks, and resolves by 3-4 months in the vast majority of babies. It’s a developmental phase, not a disease, and it does end. If your baby’s symptoms persist beyond 5 months, talk to your pediatrician about other causes.

Q: Is gripe water safe for newborns?

A: Modern gripe water formulations (alcohol-free, sugar-free) are generally considered low risk for babies over 1 month. However, there’s limited evidence of effectiveness, and the FDA does not regulate gripe water as a medication. Talk to your pediatrician before giving gripe water to a baby under 1 month. Choose products from reputable manufacturers with clear ingredient lists.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The content in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your baby’s health. Never delay seeking medical advice based on information you have read online. If you think your baby may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. Product recommendations are based on available evidence and professional opinion but should not replace individualized medical guidance. Every baby is different, and your pediatrician is the best resource for decisions about your child’s specific needs.

END OF I3

Related Pediatrician-Reviewed Resources

This article is part of ChildBloom’s pediatrician-reviewed Digestive Health series. Continue reading:

• Best Baby Gas Relief Products: Drops, Gripe Water & Anti-Colic Bottles Reviewed by a Pediatrician
• Top 5 Gentle Formulas for Sensitive Tummies: Pediatrician-Reviewed for Gas, Reflux & Constipation
• Best Baby Probiotics for Digestion & Colic Relief: Strain-by-Strain Pediatrician Review
• Baby Diarrhea: Dehydration Signs, Home Management & When to Go to the ER

Trusted Authority Sources

• AAP – Baby Poop Guide
• AAP – Food Allergies and Intolerances
• AAP – Infant Constipation

Related: Best Baby Bottles For Colic And Gas Relief

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