How to Stop Baby Gas, Colic & Fussiness During Feeding

Every mother must have experienced this several times when their baby starts to cry during mid-feed, and their face gets all red. New moms often get worried, but it's usually because their baby has either gas or colic. A lot of babies are even hungry but can't feed peacefully due to the discomfort. 

In this guide, we will share different techniques for soothing baby gas during feeding. We will also share time-tested methods linked to ancient wisdom, like how to hold your baby, how to burp them, and how to use gentle movement to make them comfortable.

 

Quick Guide: 30-Second Relief for Feeding Fussiness

If the Baby...	Try This Immediately:
Arches their back	Stop feeding; use the "Over-the-Shoulder" hold for 3 mins.
Pulls legs up / Screams	Lay them down for 30 seconds of "Bicycle Legs."
Makes Gulping / Clicking sounds	Baby swallowing air while feeding; sit them more upright.
Falls asleep but wakes crying	They have a "hidden" burp. Relatch briefly or burp again.

 

Fussy Baby During Feeding? How to Tell Gas from Colic

If you have a fussy baby during feeding, then it could mean one of two things. They have either gas or they are suffering from colic. Many times, the fussiness is due to the baby swallowing air while feeding. Babies' stomachs are tiny, and sometimes air gets trapped under the milk in their stomach and it creates a “gas block” that causes sharp discomfort.

Difference between gas and colic in Babies
It’s helpful to know the difference between gas and colic:

• Baby Gas: the reason for gas in a baby is something that most parents don't pay attention to. While feeding the baby can swallow gas that gets trapped in their stomach. This can happen both while breastfeeding and while feeding from a bottle.

If your baby is restless and you don’t understand if they gas then you can identify the cause by observing the baby’s movements. If they arch their back, pull their legs up, or make sounds like gulping, then they have gas. To relieve your baby from this gas issue, you need to burp your baby, give them a gentle tummy massage, or try another feeding position.

 

• Signs of Colic in Babies: There is a common rule that you can use to understand the signs of colic in babies. The rule is: if the baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, and for the time period of 3 weeks, then they have colic. Pediatric studies have reported this rule of colic in infants (NHS Colic Guidance). Colic can also happen even if the baby is not feeding. Learn more about colic here and how to treat it.

Common Causes of Gas During Feeding
If your baby is pulling off the breast and crying, then it might be due to these common reasons. 

• Aerophagia: Aerophagia is the condition when baby swallows air while feeding. Most of the time, the cause of this is having the flow of the nipple too fast, so that the baby swallows air due to it.
• Overfeeding: When a baby overfeeds, their small stomach gets extra full, which does not leave any space for the air to escape and can cause gas.  
• Poor Latch: A poor latch means the nipple size of the bottle is not the right size for the baby, and it is causing air to come into the baby's stomach.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), aerophagia and overfeeding are the most common causes of infant discomfort during feeding (AAP Feeding Guidelines). That’s why it is really important to reduce the air intake. 

One practical way to reduce this is to use a well-designed feeding bottle like Mubsie. This bottle has a venting system that takes the air back into the bottle instead of into the baby’s stomach. The nipple size is according to the baby’s age, so they can have a natural latch. This reduces the intake of air while feeding from the bottle.

 

Simple remedies for baby gas and colic

You don't have to always give your baby some drops to comfort them. Instead, you can use these simple remedies for baby gas and colic from ancient wisdom. They work well with the baby’s body as they are focused on using gravity and warmth to move bubbles along naturally.

Use the best feeding position for gassy baby

You need to use the best feeding position for gassy babies.

• The Upright Cradle: You need to make your baby close to your chest while their legs are lying flat. Their head should be higher so that the milk goes to the bottom of the stomach and the air stays at the top. 
• The "Football Hold": you need to tuck your baby under your arm, which allows you to control the flow and prevent gulping.

So, if you're questioning why is my baby fussy while breastfeeding, then feeding them in the wrong position could be the reason. 

How to relieve baby gas and baby crying while feeding

If you have a baby crying while feeding, then you should not force them to finish feeding. You need to stop immediately. A fussy baby during feeding is usually a baby who needs a "reset."

• The "Slow-Motion Pivot" Burp: Instead of slowly patting your baby, you need to use this "Slow-Motion Pivot" burp from an ancient technique. It is the most gentle way to help your baby release trapped gas. Instead of just patting their back, start with your baby leaning a little forward, then slowly turn them upright so they sit tall against your chest. This slow movement helps the air in their tummy rise so they can burp more easily. It is one of the most effective remedies for baby gas and colic passed down through generations.

• The Warm Cloth Press: warm a cotton cloth and place it over the baby's tummy. You need to place it above their shirt and make sure the cloth is not too hot. The slight heat of the cloth will give relaxation to the baby and will also help to loosen the muscles.
• Interruptive Burping: Don’t wait to burp your baby till the end of feeding. If you have a baby gassy and fussy at night, then you should burp them after feeding them every 2 ounces or every time you switch sides while breastfeeding.
• The Sensory Reset: If your baby colic during feeding, then doing a sensory reset will help him. You should go to a dimly lit room where there is no noise so their nervous system can relax. 

When to worry about the baby's gas

It is common for babies to be fussy and have colic or gas, but there are times when it is necessary to go to a pediatrician. 

When to see a doctor for colic

Talk to a pediatrician if your baby isn't gaining weight or if you notice:

• Projectile vomiting or blood in the stool.
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher.
• Crying that lasts long after the feeding is over.

Knowing when to worry about baby gas can help you understand the difference between when it is common for a baby to cry and when there might be something wrong with the baby. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my baby fussy while breastfeeding?

A baby may be fussy while breastfeeding due to the fast milk flow or the latch being weak, and they are swallowing air with the milk that can cause gas and discomfort in babies. 

Why is my baby fussy while bottle feeding?

A baby fussy while bottle feeding is due to the bottle nipple not according to their age. The flow might be too slow for a toddler or too fast for a newborn baby. Choosing the right bottle, like Mubsie, which has perfect flow for your baby's needs, can make the feeding calmer. 

How to reduce gas in babies naturally?

To naturally reduce gas in babies, you need to do it with slow, gentle movement. Try to lean your baby forward and then upright to your chest to move the bubbles naturally. You can also put a warm cloth on the baby's tummy to relax the muscles. While feeding, you need to burp your baby after every 2 to 3 ounces so the air does not get trapped in their tiny stomach. 

For more tips, see our article on the best baby bottles that help with colic.  

What is the main difference between gas and colic?

The difference between gas and colic is intensity. Gas causes short bursts of fussiness that end after a burp or fart. Colic is a long-term pattern of intense, long hours of crying that usually happens in the evening.

Conclusion: 

Calming a fussy baby during feeding can feel hard, but it does not have to be. Simple methods like the Slow Motion Pivot and the Warm Cloth Press can really help. You can also burp your baby during feeds so air does not build up in their tummy. Choosing the right bottle matters too because trapped air often causes discomfort. Mubsie’s anti-colic bottle is designed to send air back into the bottle instead of your baby’s stomach, which can make feeding more comfortable and peaceful for both of you.

 

[Shop Mubsie Anti-Colic Bottles Here] – Designed to bring peace back to your feeding routine.