Gas is a distressing situation for most people. For a baby, internal gas pressure can be confusing, scary, and uncomfortable for both him and the parents. In most babies, gas is caused by air that has entered the body during feeding or simply by crying. This gas can also be caused by formula or breast milk that has not yet been digested. There are many ways to help relieve a baby’s gas. All natural approaches to help relieve these gases are simple and will not add unnecessary chemicals to a baby’s fragile body.
A totally natural remedy that is used to relieve a baby’s gas and help calm him, is with a technique called Reflexology, or in other words, a very gentle but effective foot massage. Massage has been used for centuries as a natural healing method. When this massage is applied very lightly to a baby’s foot, it not only soothes it, but also releases some internal gas pressure. To perform reflexology / foot massage: Find the point of the foot associated with the intestines, rub gently in a gentle circular motion for a few minutes. Try to put minimal pressure on the baby’s foot, as the skin in this area is still quite thin.
Fresh herbs and aromatherapy are natural ways to help a baby relieve gas from his little body. Aromatherapy also calms and helps digestion. Create a warm mint and fennel compress by wrapping fresh mint and fennel leaves in a soft cloth and soaking in warm water for two minutes. Squeeze out the excess water and place it on the baby’s abdomen for 20 minutes, making sure to re-wet the washcloth with warm water every 5 minutes.
Helping to move gas around your baby’s tiny stomach is another way to help your little one release it. With this method, you would simply lay the baby on your thighs on the stomach to exert a little extra pressure. Rubbing the baby’s lower back while on your lap will help move and break the gas. With this method you can also rock the child back and forth on the thighs while lying on their stomach to further break up the gas bubbles. It is also easier to burp the baby during feeding with this method.
When it comes to helping a baby relieve gas pressure from his tiny body, the first preferred method is usually an all-natural approach. The methods mentioned above, reflexology massage, aromatherapy, and placing the little one on your lap will help to expel gas from the tiny body, but these methods will also help calm and comfort him.