Pediatric Nutrition: William J. Klish

My 6-week-old seems to really be bothered by gas. Should I consider changing her formula?

By William Klish, M.D.

A formula change will probably not help. The most frequent cause of gas in babies is swallowing air, either during feeding or periods of fussiness. Many babies are aggressive feeders who gulp their formula, which increases the intake of air. If you notice your infant doing this, try feeding her in a quiet environment, help slow her pace by interrupting frequently, and be sure to burp her often.

Also check the opening of the nipple. If it's too big, your baby will be flooded with formula and tend to take in air. If the nipple is too small, too much air can also be ingested, since a baby needs to suck harder to get the formula. Lactose intolerance can also cause gas, but is extremely rare in infants. This condition is almost always associated with diarrheal stools described as foamy because they are mixed with gas.

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