Gas is air that comes out of the body, either by passing through the mouth (burping) or through the bottom (farting). Gas pain in babies is usually not a concern, but it can make them uncomfortable. Here are some things you can do to try to help with your baby's gas pains.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for: 

• Giving your baby any medicines 
• If you need to change your baby's diet
• When to follow up

To help prevent or get rid of gas: 

• Don't overfeed your baby. If they are gulping their feedings, try to give them smaller amounts more frequently. 
• Burp your baby often. You can burp your baby in these positions: 
  • Upright on your chest: Hold your baby against your chest, with their chin on your shoulder, and gently pat their back.
  • Sitting on your lap: Support your baby's chest and head with one hand and gently pat their back with the other.
  • Belly down on your lap: Lay your baby on their belly, support their head higher than their chest, and gently pat their back.
• While your baby is lying on their back, gently push their knees toward their chest or bicycle their legs a few times.

Gas pain can make babies fussy. Here are some tips for soothing your baby:

• Give them a pacifier (as long as they have learned to breastfeed well).
• Take them for a walk in a stroller or a baby carrier.
• Take them for a ride in the car. Be sure your baby is rear facing and strapped in safely in their car seat. 
• Play soft music or "white noise."
• Rock or hold your baby.
• For babies under 2 months old, swaddle your baby. Ask your health care provider how to do this safely.

Your baby:

• Spits up more often than usual or has poops that are looser than usual
• Isn't breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or eating as much as usual 
• Has hard, pellet-like poops or strains to get the poop out 
• Is over 3 months old and gets a fever (babies under 3 months old with a fever need to go to the emergency room) 
• Is crying for more than 3 hours a day

Your baby:

• Is very fussy and can't be comforted
• Becomes less active or very sleepy
• Has a hard or swollen belly
• Is 3 months or younger and has a rectal (taken in the bottom) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

What causes gas pain in babies? There isn't always a clear reason why babies get gas pains, but it may be from swallowing too much air while feeding or a problem digesting some foods (for example, wheat or dairy products).