Have you ever wondered if a baby's cry is caused by gas or if it's just their way of communicating? In this article, we're going to dive into the topic headfirst and uncover everything there is to know about babies crying from gas.
The Basics
Let's start with some basics - what exactly is gas? Simply put, gas refers to air that gets trapped in your digestive system. It can cause discomfort and even pain, depending on how much builds up. This isn't limited to adults either - babies can experience gas too.
But does this mean that every time a baby cries, it’s because they have gas? Not exactly. Crying is one of the only ways a newborn baby can communicate discomfort or distress.
Myth Busting: Common Misconceptions
Before we go any further down this rabbit hole, let’s clear up some misconception surrounding infants' crying behavior:
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All Cries Are Caused By Hunger
While hunger could be one reason for your sweet little bundle of joy to blubber like an emotional wreck over an ice cream shop closing early, but not all tears are related to food intake.
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Only Colic Infants Cry Due To Gas Pain
Colic may contribute significantly towards intestinal distress syndromes which leads illness due cramping sensation within them causing intense sobbing episode among lapsing through here and there sleep times throughout day/night cycles; yet many other infant issues arise very frequently during feeding periods alone (i.e., gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) where stomach acid mixes with milk leading adverse symptoms such as gagging, excessive fussiness).
Moving on......
What Causes Gas in Babies?
Several factors contribute towards high volumes of G.I tract gases developing inside our gut regions alongside others escaping outside collectively via multiple channels including nose or down below (if you know what we mean!). Oxygen swallowing, improper latching on to the breast during breastfeeding, and even allergies can cause gas in infants.
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Milk Proteins Can Cause Gas Pains
After a baby drinks milk, protein molecules are broken down into smaller bits by enzymes present naturally in their GI tract. In case these proteins fail to get digested properly it might lead towards accumulation of excess gases along with other adverse symptoms affecting physique (restlessness; including recurring belching/slow yet painful bowel motions).
Signs Your Baby Might Have Gas
How do you tell whether your baby is suffering from gas? Well, the truth is that it’s not always easy. However, here are some signs that might indicate there's a build-up of G.I tract gases inside:
- Excessive crying
- Arching back during burping
- Pulling legs up to chest repeatedly
- Fussiness/distress
But keep in mind - just because your child has one or more of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean they have gas!
How To Treat Gas in Babies
If your little one does indeed have gas issues, there are several strategies you can use to help relieve their discomfort:
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Burp Them More Often During Feeding Sessions
Burping helps release air trapped within intestines which leads towards better digestion responses restoring normalcy quite fastly amongst fussy babies.
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Massage Their Tummy
Rubbing gently around tummy regions smoothly alongside incorporating your hands’ slight pressure through circular movements could also lead to alleviating most arising woes seamlessly inflicting upon tykes due excessive internalized gasses.
In conclusion; irrespective for any unjustified reasons why only an infant particularly cries without apparent stimuli provided resulting chaotic situations between parents while taking care afterwards may take quite a toll. What's essential is not to lose sight whatsoever regarding the fact that newborns communicate through crying primarily and there are several ways parents could support them along with attaining solutions convivially during moments of distress.