How do I get my baby to stop swallowing air?

Understanding Air Swallowing in Babies
Swallowing air, medically known as aerophagia, is a common issue among infants, often leading to discomfort and fussiness. This phenomenon occurs when babies inadvertently ingest air during feeding, crying, or even laughing. The swallowed air can accumulate in the digestive tract, resulting in symptoms such as excessive burping, gas, and abdominal pain.
Causes of Air Swallowing
Babies are particularly prone to swallowing air due to their feeding habits. Whether breastfed or bottle-fed, the way they latch onto the nipple or bottle can significantly influence the amount of air they swallow. Additionally, crying or laughing can exacerbate the situation, as these activities naturally lead to increased air intake.
Strategies to Minimize Air Swallowing
To help your baby reduce the amount of air they swallow, consider the following strategies:
1. Feeding Position: The position in which you feed your baby can play a crucial role. Keeping your baby in a more upright position during feeding can help minimize air intake. This position allows gravity to assist in keeping the milk down and reduces the likelihood of air bubbles forming.
2. Pacing the Feed: If you are bottle-feeding, try using a slow-flow nipple. This can help control the flow of milk, allowing your baby to suck and swallow at a more manageable pace, which can reduce the amount of air swallowed.
3. Frequent Burping: Regularly burping your baby during and after feeds is essential. This practice helps release any trapped air before it can cause discomfort. Aim to burp your baby after every few ounces of milk or every few minutes during breastfeeding.
4. Avoiding Overfeeding: Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues and avoid forcing them to finish a bottle or continue feeding if they seem full. Overfeeding can lead to more air swallowing as the baby may gulp down milk quickly.
5. Calm Environment: Creating a calm feeding environment can also help. If your baby is anxious or upset, they may swallow more air. Try to minimize distractions and keep the atmosphere soothing during feeding times.
6. Consulting a Pediatrician: If your baby continues to experience significant discomfort despite these measures, it may be beneficial to consult a pediatrician. They can provide tailored advice and check for any underlying issues that may be contributing to the problem.
Conclusion
While air swallowing is a common occurrence in infants, it can lead to discomfort and distress. By implementing strategies such as adjusting feeding positions, pacing feeds, and ensuring regular burping, parents can help alleviate their baby’s discomfort. If issues persist, seeking professional guidance is always a wise step to ensure your baby’s health and well-being.

How do I get air out of my baby’s stomach?

If your baby is lying on her back, gently move her legs back and forth to imitate riding a bicycle. This exercise helps with intestinal motion and can expel trapped gas. You can also bend her legs and gently push her knees up towards her tummy.

How do I keep my baby’s airway open?

Hold the baby on their side with their head slightly tilted back, supported and lower than their bottom. Holding them on their side with their head back helps keep the airway open. It ensures their tongue falls forward and any fluid drains out. This will help the baby to continue to breathe.

How can I help my baby clear the airway?

To clear the airway of a choking infant younger than age 1:

1. Sit and hold the infant facedown on your forearm.
2. Thump the infant gently but firmly five times on the middle of the back.
3. Turn the infant faceup on your forearm if breathing hasn’t started.
4. Give five gentle but firm chest compressions with your fingers.

Can a baby swallow too much air?

Swallowing air may cause bloating, burping, gas, and abdominal pain. Swallowed air that is not released by burping passes through the digestive tract and is released as gas (flatus). Babies often swallow air during feeding. It is important to burp your baby during and after feeding.

How do you relieve the airway of an infant?

If they are still choking, give up to five chest thrusts: turn the baby over so they are facing upwards. Place two fingers in the middle of their chest just below the nipples. Push sharply downwards up to five times. Chest thrusts squeeze the air out of the baby’s lungs and may dislodge the blockage.

How do you fix swallowing air?

Belching: Getting rid of excess air

1. Eat and drink slowly. Taking your time can help you swallow less air.
2. Don’t drink carbonated drinks and beer. They release carbon dioxide gas.
3. Skip the gum and hard candy.
4. Don’t smoke.
5. Check your dentures.
6. Get moving.
7. Treat heartburn.

Will babies move their head if they can’t breathe?

Your baby’s head and neck control are still developing, so it’s harder for them to roll or to lift or move their head if their airways become blocked.

What causes a baby to swallow air?

A baby who cries for a long time can swallow extra air, especially if the crying is intense (colic). Swallowing air when sucking. A baby may swallow excess air during bottle-feeding when drinking too fast or when lying down. A baby may also swallow excess air if the nipple has holes that are too big.

How do I get my baby to stop gulping air?

Try these tips if your young baby is bothered by gas:

1. Start feedings before your infant cries a long time from hunger. When infants cry from hunger, they swallow air.
2. Burp after your infant is done feeding.
3. Pay attention to positioning.
4. Increase tummy time.