What is the best position to breastfeed to avoid gas?

Understanding Breastfeeding Positions to Minimize Gas
Breastfeeding is a natural and nurturing experience, but it can sometimes lead to discomfort for both mother and baby, particularly when gas becomes an issue. Many parents wonder how to position their baby during feeding to help reduce the likelihood of gas.
The Importance of Positioning
Proper positioning during breastfeeding is crucial not only for ensuring a good latch but also for minimizing the amount of air that a baby swallows. When babies swallow air, it can lead to gas, which may cause discomfort and fussiness. Therefore, selecting the right breastfeeding position can play a significant role in reducing gas.
Optimal Positions for Reducing Gas
1. Cradle Hold: This classic position involves holding the baby in your arms, with their head resting in the crook of your elbow. This position allows for close contact and can help the baby latch on properly, reducing the chances of swallowing air. Keeping the baby’s body aligned with yours can also help them feed more efficiently.
2. Football Hold: In this position, the baby is tucked under your arm, with their legs extending behind you. This hold can be particularly beneficial for mothers who have had a cesarean section, as it avoids pressure on the abdomen. The football hold also allows for better visibility of the baby’s latch, which can help ensure they are feeding correctly and not gulping air.
3. Side-Lying Position: This position involves lying on your side with the baby facing you. It can be a comfortable option for nighttime feedings and allows for a relaxed feeding experience. This position can help reduce the amount of air the baby swallows, as gravity assists in keeping the baby’s mouth aligned with the breast.
4. Upright Position: Holding the baby in an upright position against your chest can also help minimize gas. This position allows gravity to assist in keeping the milk flowing downwards, which can help prevent the baby from gulping air. It’s particularly useful for babies who tend to be gassy or have reflux issues.
Additional Tips for Reducing Gas
In addition to choosing the right position, there are other strategies that can help manage gas in breastfed babies. Ensuring that the baby is latched on correctly is essential, as a poor latch can lead to increased air intake. Additionally, taking breaks during feeding to allow the baby to burp can help release any trapped air, further reducing discomfort.
Conclusion
While gas in breastfed babies is a common issue, careful attention to breastfeeding positions can significantly alleviate the problem. By experimenting with different holds and ensuring a proper latch, mothers can create a more comfortable feeding experience for their little ones. Ultimately, finding the right position not only enhances the breastfeeding journey but also fosters a deeper bond between mother and child.

Can a bad latch make a baby gassy?

One of the most common ways that babies get gas in their digestive system is by taking in excess air. This can happen when there is: Poor latch. If your baby doesn’t have a tight seal around the areola, air can get in along with the milk.

What position helps baby gas?

Some positioning tips: Feed your baby as upright as possible; lay your child on their back and pedal their legs with your hands to help expel gas from below; if your child is awake after a feeding, place them on their belly. Increase tummy time.

What is the best position to reduce gas?

Knees to Chest Pose
The knees-to-chest pose, also known as the wind-relieving pose, puts gentle pressure on the abdomen and helps get trapped gas moving. Start by laying on your back with the legs extended out in front of you and the arms alongside the body.

How can I prevent gas while breastfeeding?

What can I do to help my baby with gas?

1. Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air.
2. Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas.
3. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly.
4. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet.

What position should you avoid while breastfeeding?

A baby cannot suckle or swallow easily if their head is twisted or bent. Your baby is held close to your body. A baby cannot attach well to the breast if they are far away from it. Your baby’s whole body is supported with your arm along their back.

What breastfeeding position reduces air intake?

Breastfeeding position to reduce gas
“This air has to be released in one direction or another. If baby doesn’t burp, they’ll likely become gassy,” Long says. Good news: This can be remedied with the proper breastfeeding positions, including upright or semi-upright positions, like the laid-back breastfeeding position.

What is best for gas while breastfeeding?

Medicines to treat gas and bloating, such as Gas-X, Maalox, Mylanta, and others, are safe to take while breastfeeding. They contain simethicone, which is sometimes given to infants. It is also not absorbed into the mother’s system, so wouldn’t be transmitted in breast milk.

What foods can make a baby gassy while breastfeeding?

Foods That Make Breastfed Babies Gassy

• Fiber. Foods like bran, beans, and whole grains.
• Fruit. Citrus fruits, prunes, plums, peaches, or apricots.
• Vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
• Garlic. Garlic-seasoned foods like pasta dishes or garlic bread.
• Dairy.
• Carbonated beverages.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

What breastfeeding positions prevent gas?

And upright breastfeeding positions like laid-back breastfeeding and cradle hold are also good if your child is frequently gassy.