If your baby is gassy, you'll notice that they pass a lot of gas and seem to feel better afterward. Gas troubles often start right away or when babies are just a couple of weeks old. Fortunately, most babies outgrow them by the time they're 4 to 6 months old, though for some, baby gas can last longer.

Almost all babies get gas as they often swallow air when feeding. Gas happens when air gets into the digestive tract, such as when a baby sucks on a bottle and it is common for them to pass gas 13-21 times each day!

Babies have plenty of chances to swallow air, like when they:

• Eat, whether food comes from a breast or bottle.
• Suck a dummy/pacifier.
• Cry

When air gets trapped in your baby's belly, you may notice that they:

• Burp
• Get fussy
• Are bloated
• Cry
• Fart
• Have a hard tummy

If your baby is generally happy and only fusses for a few seconds while passing gas, that's a sign that it's normal. When you're nursing or bottle-feeding, try to keep the baby's head higher than their stomach. One of the easiest ways to ease gas pains is to burp them during and after they feed. If they don't belch right away, wait for a few minutes and then try again. If you're bottle-feeding, switch to a slower-flow teat.

Another recommendation is to gently massage your baby, pump their legs back and forth (like riding a bike) while they're on their back, or give them tummy time, but not after a feed (watch them while they lie on their stomach). A warm bath can also help them get rid of extra gas.

If you are planning to switch baby formula, or have already switched, please be aware that it may take a little while for your baby to completely adjust to the new formula. We generally recommend a transition period of 7 - 14 days during which you can gradually introduce the new baby formula by introducing it with feeds of the ‘old’ existing baby formula.

Gas and constipation are fairly common side effects that can occur until your baby adjusts.