So you’ve tried everything to reduce the chances of your baby getting trapped wind. Unfortunately, many babies are still prone to uncomfortable gas bubbles getting stuck in their tummies.
It’s hard watching your little one grunt, strain, go red-faced and pull their legs up in discomfort. So what can you do to help move the gas on….or out?

1- Try a Warm Bath

A nice warm bath (never more than 37°C we don’t want to burn their sensitive skin), can help relax your babies muscles. This can help trapped gas move more easily through their digestive system and hopefully find its way out.

2- Do Some Tummy Time

Place your baby on their tummy. The gentle pressure on their stomach can be comforting. They also have the opportunity to wiggle and move those bubbles around.

3- Do Some Bicycle Kicks

Gently move your baby’s legs and circle them around like they are riding a bike, do this for around 10 seconds and then push both knees into their chest.

4- Try Certain Medicines or Herbal Supplements

You can buy medicines that are meant to help your baby get gas out of their system. Infacol works by helping join tiny air bubbles together to form a large one, making it easier for your baby to burp up. Another option is Gripe Water this is a herbal supplement and can help soothe digestive discomfort.

When using these always make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions. Speak to your healthcare professional if you are unsure which is suitable for your baby.

5- Tummy Massages

A gentle massage of your baby’s stomach works by you moving the gas through your baby’s digestive tract, below I will go through some different techniques to help alleviate the pain.

Massage Techniques

1- Circle Around the Belly Button

With gentle pressure use your hand to massage around your baby’s belly in a clockwise motion. Repeat for 10 circles or continue if it is relieving your baby’s discomfort.

2-Stroke Down Their Belly

Starting at the top of their bellies gently pull your hands down to the top of their nappy. Keep repeating for 10 passes, or continue if it seems to be providing a lot of relief

3- I Love You Massage

Step 1- ‘I’ Starting on the right side of your baby gently pull down from the top of their stomach to the top of their nappy.
Step 2- ‘Love’ Starting on their left side at the top of their stomach drag across to the right, then  down to the top of their nappy (you are making an upside down L)
Step 3- ‘You’ Starting on the left at the top of their nappy drag upwards to the top of their stomach, then curve down and drag to the top of their nappy on the right side ( you are making an upside down U ).
While making the letters you can repeat the words “I Love You”. Repeat this 10 times or continue if it seems to be helping.

Remember, while sad to see, trapped wind is incredibly common in young babies and usually improves as their digestive system matures.

If your baby seems unusually distressed, is feeding poorly, vomiting frequently or you are worried for any reason, it’s worth reaching out to a professional.

And if all else fails sometimes a well-timed fart is the cure everyone was waiting for.