A squirming, red-faced baby pulling their legs to their tummy after a feed is one of the most common sights in those early weeks. Baby gas is extremely common — almost every newborn deals with it to some degree — and while it can be distressing to watch, it is very rarely a sign of anything serious. Here is everything you need to know to spot it, understand it and help your baby feel more comfortable.
How do I know if my baby has gas?
Babies cannot tell you what is wrong, so you end up becoming a detective. The most common signs that your baby has trapped gas include:
- Pulling the legs up toward the tummy, or drawing them to the chest
- Arching the back, especially during or after feeds
- Crying or fussiness that starts during or shortly after a feed
- A firm or bloated tummy when you gently feel it
- Passing wind (sometimes loudly) and looking more settled afterward
- Difficulty settling flat — baby may seem more comfortable being held upright
Keep in mind that these signs can overlap with other things: hunger, overstimulation, colic, or just the natural, jerky movements of a newborn. If your baby is gaining weight, feeding well and has calm stretches in the day, occasional gassy spells are almost certainly nothing to worry about.
Why do babies get so much gas?
There are a few reasons why newborns are particularly prone to gas:
Their digestive system is brand new. The gut bacteria, enzymes and muscle coordination needed for smooth digestion are all still developing in the first few months of life. This is the biggest factor — and why gas almost always gets easier with time.
They swallow air while feeding. Whether at the breast or a bottle, babies take in some air with every feed. Bottle-fed babies tend to swallow more air than breastfed ones, especially with fast-flow teats.
Crying makes it worse. When a baby cries — often because of gas — they swallow even more air, which creates more gas. A vicious cycle that eventually breaks once you find a way to soothe them.
Gentle relief techniques that actually help
- 1
Burp during and after feeds
Pause halfway through a feed to burp — not just at the end. Try upright over the shoulder or sitting upright with chin supported.
- 2
Bicycle legs
Lay your baby on their back and gently move their legs in a cycling motion for 30–60 seconds. This helps move trapped gas through the bowel.
- 3
Tummy massage
With your baby on their back, use two fingers to gently massage their tummy in clockwise circles — following the direction of the bowel.
- 4
Tummy time (when awake)
Supervised tummy time creates gentle pressure on the abdomen that can help move gas. Never leave baby unattended on their tummy.
1. Burping
The single most effective thing you can do. Burp your baby during and after every feed — not just at the end. Try pausing mid-feed if your baby seems uncomfortable.
Three positions worth trying:
- Over the shoulder — chest to chest, baby looking over your shoulder; rub or gently pat the back in upward circles.
- Sitting upright on your lap — support the chin (not the throat) with one hand in a Y-shape; use the other hand to rub the back.
- Face-down across your knees — lay baby tummy-down across your thighs, with the head slightly higher than the tummy; rub the back gently.
Not every feed ends in a burp — if your baby seems comfortable and no burp comes after a few minutes, it’s fine to move on.
2. Bicycle legs
Lay your baby on their back on a safe flat surface. Gently hold their legs and move them in a slow cycling motion — alternating legs as if they are pedalling a bicycle. This helps move trapped gas along and is often soothing too. You can also try bringing both knees up to the tummy at once and holding for a few seconds.
3. Tummy massage
With warm, clean hands, gently massage your baby’s tummy in slow clockwise circles (following the direction of the gut). You can also try the “I Love You” stroke: trace an “I” down the left side, an “L” across the bottom and up the left side, and a “U” across the bottom and up both sides. Do this when your baby is calm and not immediately after a feed.
4. Tummy time (when calm and awake)
Supervised tummy time puts gentle pressure on the abdomen and can help move gas along. Even a few minutes at a time, a few times a day, builds up — and has the bonus of strengthening your baby’s neck and arm muscles.
5. Adjust feeding position
If you are bottle feeding, try tilting the bottle so the teat is always full of milk (not air), and look for anti-colic bottles with venting systems. If breastfeeding, check your latch — a baby who is not latched deeply enough tends to swallow more air. Our tips on how often to feed a newborn also cover pacing and positioning basics.
You can track feeds and note gassy periods with the Baby Feeding Planner to spot any patterns — like whether gas is worse after longer gaps between feeds or with certain times of day.
6. What about gripe water and gas drops?
Gripe water (often containing fennel or ginger) and simethicone gas drops are widely used and generally considered safe, but the evidence that they work beyond a placebo effect is fairly limited. If you want to try them, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider first, and make sure any product is appropriate for your baby’s age. They are not a substitute for the techniques above.
Is it colic, or just gas?
Gas and colic overlap, but they are not the same thing. Colic is defined as crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks in an otherwise healthy baby. Gas is often part of what makes a colicky baby uncomfortable, but colic involves inconsolable crying that can happen even after a good burp and a settled tummy.
If you are struggling with extended crying and nothing seems to help, our article on colic and the witching hour goes deeper into what colic is and how to survive those tough stretches.
When does baby gas get better?
Here is the most reassuring thing: almost every baby’s gassiness improves significantly by 3–4 months. By then, the digestive system has matured, the gut microbiome is establishing itself, and your baby has much better muscle control. It can feel like a long time when you are in the thick of it — but it really does pass.
When should I talk to my doctor?
Gas is normal, but reach out if:
- Your baby is not gaining weight, seems unwell, or is refusing feeds
- The crying is inconsolable and lasting many hours a day
- You notice blood in the stool or your baby has not had a bowel movement in several days
- Your baby’s tummy looks visibly swollen or hard
- Something just does not feel right — trust your instincts
You can also find helpful guidance on what constipation looks like (versus normal infrequent poo) in our baby constipation relief guide.
Baby gas is very common in the first 3–4 months and almost always resolves on its own as digestion matures. Burping well and bicycle legs are your two most reliable tools.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.
