To get gas out of a newborn, burp during and after feeds, keep upright, and use gentle tummy time and leg cycles when awake.
New babies swallow air while feeding and crying. Trapped bubbles can stretch tiny bellies and spark fussing. You can help. This guide shows safe ways to move that air along, what to try first, and when to call the doctor. Here’s how to get gas out of a newborn safely at home.
Seven Proven Burping Positions (Quick Reference)
Use these simple holds during and after feeds. Rotate until you learn which one your baby likes best.
| Position | How To Do It | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Over Shoulder | Hold baby upright on your shoulder; support head and neck; pat or rub up the back. | Mid-feed and after feeds |
| Seated On Lap | Sit baby on your thigh, one hand to support chin and chest; lean baby slightly forward; pat or rub. | Mid-feed and after feeds |
| Across Lap | Lay baby face-down across your knees, head turned to the side; gentle patting. Use a towel. | After feeds |
| Football Hold | Cradle baby’s chest and chin in your hand, forearm along the belly; walk and pat. | After feeds |
| Upright In Carrier | Use a soft carrier; baby stays vertical; walk and pat. | Short mid-feed breaks |
| Mid-Feed Pause | Pause every 2–3 ounces or when latch slips; burp, then resume feeding. | During feeds |
| Post-Feed Upright | Keep baby upright 10–20 minutes after feeding. | After feeds |
Getting Gas Out Of Newborns Safely: Step-By-Step
1) Set Up The Feed
Pick a calm spot. Hold your baby at a slight angle so the head is above the belly. If you bottle-feed, start with a slow-flow nipple. Tip the bottle so milk fills the nipple to reduce air. With breastfeeds, bring the baby to your chest rather than hunching over. A deep latch means less air.
2) Use A Paced Rhythm
Watch for steady swallows. Give short breaks when gulping speeds up or when cheeks dimple. Tilt your baby slightly forward, burp, and return to the feed. Frequent tiny burps beat one long session later.
3) Add Two Burps Per Feed
Aim for one mid-feed and one at the end. Use the positions above. Gentle pats in an upward motion help small bubbles rise. Some babies need three or four pauses; follow your child’s cues.
4) Keep Baby Upright
After feeding, hold your baby upright for 10–20 minutes. A light bounce while walking is fine. Skip car seats and swings for routine naps right after a feed. Flat and on the back is the safe sleep position; use swings only for awake time.
5) Daytime Tummy Time
Awake, supervised tummy time presses on the belly and can move gas along. Start with a few minutes, a few times each day, and build up as your baby enjoys it. Place a rolled towel under the chest for comfort. Never place a baby face-down for sleep. See the AAP’s Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play guidance for safe routines.
6) Gentle Motion Moves
Try bicycle legs. Lay your baby on the back, bend the knees, and pedal for 20–30 slow cycles. Then try knees-to-tummy: bring both knees toward the belly for five seconds, then release. Repeat several times.
7) Warm Bath And Massage
A short warm bath relaxes tight muscles. Follow with a light belly massage. Use two fingers to trace small clockwise circles around the belly button, then sweep outward in a U-shape. Stop if your baby tenses or cries.
Bottle And Latch Tweaks That Pay Off
- Nipple Flow: Pick the slowest flow that still keeps the suck-swallow rhythm. Faster flow can flood the mouth with air.
- Bottle Angle: Keep milk covering the nipple opening. With angled or vented bottles, follow the brand’s setup.
- Latch Depth: For breastfeeds, wait for a wide-open mouth. Bring the baby to you, chin first, with more areola in the mouth.
- Short Sessions: Marathon feeds can bring extra air. Shorter, more frequent feeds can be easier on the belly.
- Burp Clock: Set a reminder for mid-feed burps until it becomes habit.
How To Get Gas Out Of A Newborn At Night
Night feeds feel tricky when everyone is tired. Aim for calm and efficient. Dim lights. Keep movements gentle. Burp at the halfway mark and at the end. Hold upright before laying your baby back in the crib on the back. If your baby drifts off while burping, keep the position another minute, then lower to sleep. Many parents ask how to get gas out of a newborn without medicine; the steps in this guide cover the most useful moves.
What’s Normal And What’s Not
Babies pass gas many times a day. A round belly that softens after a toot is common. Spit-up often rides along with trapped air. Red flags: a hard belly that stays that way, blood in stool, fever, poor feeding, weight loss, or green vomit. Call your pediatrician for any of these.
Smart Feeding Habits That Reduce Gas
Feed on early hunger cues like rooting or hand-to-mouth. Latch deeply and keep the body in a straight line: ear-shoulder-hip. Avoid bouncing right after feeds. If using formula, mix as directed and let foam settle. Try a different bottle or slower nipple if you see frequent gulping.
Do Gas Drops Help?
Over-the-counter simethicone drops are common. Some families see relief; studies are mixed. Use the label dose during or right after feeds. If there’s no change after a few days, stop. The AAP’s notes on gas relief for babies explain limits and safe use.
About Probiotic Drops
Some studies suggest Lactobacillus reuteri drops can ease crying in breastfed babies with colic. Results are mixed with formula. Ask your pediatrician about brand, dose, and trial length.
Safety Guardrails You Should Always Follow
- Back To Sleep: Always place your baby on the back for sleep, in a bare, flat crib.
- Tummy Time Only When Awake: Use tummy time only while awake and watched.
- No Add-Ons In The Crib: Skip wedges, positioners, or inclined sleepers.
- Massage Boundaries: Use light pressure only; stop if your baby resists.
- Heat Caution: Warm baths are brief; test the water on your wrist.
Common Cues And Quick Actions (Your Cheat Sheet)
| Cue | What It Can Mean | What To Try |
|---|---|---|
| Pulling Legs Up | Gas cramp or tummy tension | Bicycle legs; knees-to-tummy; mid-feed burp |
| Arching Back | Swallowed air or fast flow | Slow the nipple; pause to burp; hold upright |
| Hiccup Runs | Air after a big feed | Burp and keep upright 10–20 minutes |
| Frequent Spit-Up | Overfull belly or reflux | Smaller, more frequent feeds; upright hold |
| Firm Belly | Trapped gas or stool | Warm bath; clockwise belly circles; call the doctor if firm stays |
| Crying With Feeds | Latch or flow issue | Re-latch; change nipple; mid-feed pause |
| Grunting At Night | Normal processing | Gentle tummy time during the day; extra burp before bed |
When Gas Seems Like Something Else
Not all crying is air. Hunger, a wet diaper, or the need to wind down can look the same. Check the last feed and diaper. If a cuddle settles your baby, it may not be gas. A belly that stays hard, green vomit, or blood in stool needs a same-day call to your pediatrician.
Reflux adds another layer. Many babies spit up and still grow well. Smaller feeds, more burps, and upright time often help. If feeds seem painful or weight gain stalls, ask about next steps. Some babies also strain with normal stools; that can look like belly pain. If stools are soft and regular, straining can be part of normal learning.
Sample Burping Routine For The First Months
Weeks 1–4: Pause every 5 minutes with breastfeeds or every 1–2 ounces with bottles. Use the over-shoulder or seated-on-lap hold. Keep the upright hold for 15 minutes after feeds.
Weeks 5–8: Swallowing improves. Keep one mid-feed pause and one end-of-feed burp. A brief upright walk can free stubborn air.
Weeks 9–12: Many babies need fewer breaks, but don’t skip the final burp. A quick across-lap pat can release leftover bubbles after bigger evening feeds.
When To See The Doctor
Reach out for care with any of the red flags above. Also book a visit if gas comes with poor weight gain, if crying pushes beyond three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks, or if you feel your daily life is being upended by fussing. Your doctor can check for reflux disease, milk protein allergy, or constipation and tailor a plan for your baby.
Realistic Expectations
No single tip works every time. Aim for a small toolkit you can rotate through the day: good latch, paced breaks, two burps, upright hold, tummy time, bicycle legs, warm bath, and light massage. Keep notes on what helped after each feed. Small wins add up across a week.
Your Two-Week Game Plan
Days 1–3: Study latch and flow. Add one mid-feed burp to every feed.
Days 4–7: Keep baby upright after each feed. Add two short tummy time sessions.
Week 2: Add daily bicycle legs and light belly circles. Adjust nipple flow if gulping continues. Review your notes and keep the moves that bring calm.
Bottom Line
Gentle, consistent habits move air along. Use smart feeding setups, two burps per feed, upright holds, and playful daytime moves. If trouble sticks around or you spot red flags, see your pediatrician.