Gas, Fussiness and Reflux in Newborns: What it Means & What to Do
This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown's.
The newborn phase is one filled with a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. Feeding, while a beautiful way to bond with your little one, can also be a source of frustration, especially when your baby seems uncomfortable. Fussiness, gas, and reflux are common concerns, but understanding what's happening can help you navigate this time with more confidence and ease.
Understanding Your Baby's Digestive System: The Root of Discomfort
Newborns have immature digestive systems, making them more prone to gas and reflux. This can lead to fussiness, sleep disruptions and frustration for everyone. While crying is a normal communication tool for your newborn, excessive crying may warrant a feeding and timing assessment to help you identify underlying causes.
Gas Explained
A gassy baby is often a fussy baby. Because of their immature digestive system, babies may struggle to release trapped air without your help and encouragement. There are several reasons why a baby might have gas:
- During breastfeeding with a fast flow, overactive letdown or shallow latch due to feeding technique and/or oral restrictions.
- During bottle feeding, if the nipple flow is too fast or in the traditional cradle hold for bottle feeding. The Dr. Brown's Baby Bottle Silicone Nipples provide clinical consistency within the flow rate, so baby's feeding experience is constant and comfortable. They come in six different flow levels from Preemie to a Y-cut nipple.
Reflux Explained & When to Worry
Reflux occurs when stomach contents back up and cause baby to spit up. This is normal in healthy infants, but many cases of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or (severe reflux) are misdiagnosed as Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER). Frequent reflux can irritate the esophagus and cause your baby discomfort. Signs to watch for include:
- Excessive spitting up or vomiting
- Irritability during and/or after feeds
- Difficulty swallowing or eating
- Abnormal arching of the back
- Disrupted sleep
- Failure to gain weight
Important Note: International pediatric societies advise against using acid-suppressive medications routinely for healthy infants with fussiness or spitting up. These medications lack proven benefits and can have side effects. If you're concerned about reflux, it's important to consult your pediatrician to determine the cause.
Beyond the Colic Label: Exploring Other Possibilities
What happens if your baby is healthy, growing and feeding well, yet,, they still spend many hours of the day crying? This is known as colic or The Period of Purple Crying – a diagnosis given to healthy, growing and thriving infants who cry for three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks. Here are some other factors to consider:
- Oversupply: An abundance of breastmilk can sound like a blessing, but may also lead to fussiness, gas and poor sleep for some babies. It is important to not treat oversupply prior to doing an in-depth feeding assessment, as it could potentially cause a drop in your supply which may not always be the best course of action.
- Oral restrictions: Think of your baby's tongue like an ocean wave. When you achieve a deep latch, your baby's tongue should roll under the nipple in a wave-like motion. If their tongue is restricted, the wave motion is restricted, and in turn the stimulation may not be enough to fully empty the breast. This can result in sore, damaged nipples and/or a decreased milk supply. If your baby has a tongue tie and/or lip tie, it can interfere with proper latching and swallowing, leading to excess gas intake, body tension and fussiness. Seek help from a lactation consultant and/or feeding specialist if you suspect any type of oral restriction.
- Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA): While uncommon, some breastfed babies may be sensitive to proteins in their mother's diet. If a breastfed baby is sensitive to a particular food group, they may have an increase in fussiness after a feeding, tend to spend more time crying, struggle with sleeping and weight gain and seem uncomfortable as well as gassy. Talk to your pediatrician if you suspect this is happening with your baby.
- Misreading cues: Newborn hunger cues can mimic tiredness. Overtired babies often become fussy and inconsolable in the evening if they are not napping enough during the day. Ensure your baby gets enough sleep to avoid overstimulation and crankiness, especially during the evenings. Feeding a baby when they are actually tired can lead to overfeeding and discomfort.
Oftentimes, even a well-intentioned healthcare provider overwhelmed by a distressed baby and family might default to a colic diagnosis. However, a thorough feeding and timing assessment should be done before reaching this conclusion – especially if the baby is gaining weight well.
Helping Your Fussy Baby: Strategies and Support
There's no "one-size-fits-all" solution, but here are some strategies to promote a more comfortable feeding experience:
- Feeding assessment: A lactation consultant/counselor or healthcare provider can assess your baby's feeding habits, techniques, timing oral function and your confidence.
- Positioning: Experiment with breastfeeding positions that encourage a deeper latch and slowing down the flow (e.g., side-lying or laid back in a football hold).
- Paced feeding (via bottle): Mimic breastfeeding by allowing your baby to control the flow and pace of feeds. The Dr. Brown's Anti-Colic Options+ Baby Bottles include an anti-colic vent system, which is proven to reduce colic and decrease spit-up, burping and gas.
- Slow-flow nipples: Use age-appropriate slow-flow nipples to prevent overfeeding and gas. If your child is taking in more milk than they can swallow, (e.g. spilling or dripping milk from their mouth), is having problems swallowing, and/or appears to be gagging, coughing or sputtering with feeds- then it's likely that they need a slower flow rate. Dr. Brown's offers a variety of flows from Preemie to a Y-Cut Nipple.
Feeding Challenges? Know You're Not Alone
If your baby struggles with gas, reflux, or fussiness, reach out for professional support. Feeding your baby is a journey, filled with both joys and challenges. By understanding gas, reflux, and other potential causes of fussiness, you're equipped to manage these issues and promote a more comfortable feeding experience for your little one. Remember, there's no shame in seeking help!
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.