Published: July 14, 2025

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

If your newborn is fussy and seems uncomfortable, especially after feeding, you might wonder whether they’re sick or just gassy. If it is normal gas, then what’s the best gas relief for babies?

“Newborns cry for many reasons, and gas is often one of them,” said Heather M. Felton, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group. “Gassiness can be completely normal and addressed with simple home remedies, but it’s also important to recognize when something more might be going on.”

What is normal gassiness in newborns?

Many babies experience gas as their young digestive systems are developing. Often, it is caused by swallowing air during feeding or crying. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s often not indicative of illness and may mean your baby could use some gas relief.

Common signs of normal gas include:

• Burping after feeding
• Straining, grunting or pulling legs toward the belly
• Frequent passing of gas
• Temporary fussiness that improves after passing gas
  
  

Gas also can be caused by normal gut bacteria development or sensitivity to formula or your breastfeeding diet. Tracking your baby’s feeding habits sometimes can reveal what worsens gassiness. Your pediatrician may suggest trying a different formula or looking into possible intolerances.

How to soothe a gassy baby

You can provide gentle gas relief for babies at home with several simple methods, such as:

• Burping baby during and after feeds
• Holding your baby upright for at least 15 to 30 minutes after feeding
• Using bicycle legs (gently move your baby’s legs in a pedaling motion toward their stomach to release gas)
• Giving a gentle tummy and body rub to help them relax
• Giving a warm bath to relax muscles
• Adjusting bottle nipple flow (too much can increase swallowed air)
• More tummy time throughout the day
  
  

Talk to your pediatrician about the techniques you have used to reduce your baby’s gas. They may be able to offer other suggestions or investigate any underlying issues.

Gassy baby versus colic

Many parents confuse normal gassiness in babies with colic. Here are several signs to recognize the difference.

Signs of a gassy baby:

• Crying follows feeding or occurs in short spurts.
• Discomfort improves after passing gas or burping.
• Baby is consolable with cuddling or movement.
• No other concerning symptoms are present.
  
  

Signs of colic:

• Intense crying lasts more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or more.
• Crying often happens at the same time of day, usually in the evening.
• Baby is difficult to soothe with typical calming strategies.
• Baby may appear to be in pain, but feeds and gains weight normally.

While both conditions can be stressful, colic tends to be more intense and less responsive to typical baby gas relief methods.

 

Signs that something more is going on

Most gassy babies remain healthy and continue to grow normally, but sometimes excessive fussiness can signal something more serious. Symptoms to look out for include:

• High-pitched or persistent crying
• Fever (100.4 F or higher if baby is 3 months or younger)
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Poor feeding or refusal to eat
• Noticeable change in alertness or sleep
  
  

When to seek immediate medical care

When trying to determine whether your newborn is sick or just needs gas relief, it’s important to understand the signs of an urgent medical issue.

Go to the emergency room (ER) immediately if your baby has:

• Fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months old
• Bright green vomit — may be a sign of bowel obstruction
• Extreme sleepiness or lethargy — baby is difficult to wake or unresponsive
• Rigid or floppy limbs, unusual body posture — possible sign of a neurologic issue
• Labored or irregular breathing — grunting, flaring nostrils, pulling in the ribs, pauses in breathing
• Hard, distended belly or signs of abdominal pain, especially if the baby is crying inconsolably or looks visibly uncomfortable
• Blood in vomit or stool — could signal internal bleeding or serious gastrointestinal issue
• Persistent diarrhea or dehydration — no wet diaper in six or more hours, dry mouth or sunken fontanelle (“soft spot” in the skull)
• Intense or recurring vomiting after feedings combined with other red flags, such as lethargy, dehydration or a distended belly

Call or see the pediatrician if your baby has:

• Fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby older than 3 months, or mild fever lasting more than two to three days
• Refusal to eat or multiple missed feedings, especially if lasting more than one feeding cycle or accompanied by other concerns
• Intense or recurring vomiting after feedings, without other urgent symptoms (such as green color or blood)
• Persistent diarrhea or signs of mild dehydration, such as some wet diapers but fewer than usual
• Mild lethargy or unusual behavior – if your baby is less playful or alert but still responsive