Explosive Bowel Movements

Explosive bowel movements and passing gas are common in any baby. Some babies exhibit explosive bowel movements more than others. When your baby has a bowel movement, they sound as if an explosion has taken place. You may find it quite alarming. The gas passed can also be quite loud. Both explosive bowel movements and passing gas are quite normal and pass off in a couple of months. They occur due to your baby's immature digestive system. As long as your baby appears happy and active without any signs of being lethargic, you need not worry. However if your baby passes gas with repeated bouts of crying, she may be a colicky baby.

How does gas enter my baby and make her a gassy baby?

Gas can enter your baby in a number of ways. Some ways that gas can enter your baby are:

• Through gas producing foods that can pass from you to the baby. You can try eliminating or reducing the intake of such food in your diet.
• When she starts her first feed of breast milk or formula. This is due to the air bubbles that are formed because of the suction created.
• Over-stimulation that can cause extended crying. This causes her to swallow air.

Will the gas cause pain or discomfort to the baby?

Usually, the gas formed causes no pain or discomfort as it is pushed out through the digestive system. However as the digestive system is still immature, excess gas may get trapped in the upper and lower intestines. This prevents the flow of gastric juices and the accumulated gas causes bloating and swelling of the abdomen. When this happens, it may cause pain or discomfort to the baby.

How can I comfort my gassy baby?

You can adopt the following tips to soothe your gassy baby:

• If you have a breast feeding baby, make sure she latches firmly on to the back of the areola.
• If you are bottle feeding her, make sue that her lips cover the whole teat and not just the tip.
• Feed the baby lesser quantities but more often.
• Burp the baby often. If your baby is a breast feeding baby, burp her every few minutes during a feed or between breasts. If she is bottle feeding, ensure that the teat of the bottle is of the right size.
• Hold the feeding bottle at an angle so that the gas moves to the end of the bottle.
• Do not allow your baby to lie down while feeding her and also for a short while after feeding.
• Avoid prolonged usage of pacifiers.
• Do not allow her to cry for a very long time.