Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
Most newborn gas is uncomfortable but not dangerous, and the things that help are simple: burping during and after feeds, keeping your baby upright while feeding, slowing down a fast bottle, gentle leg movements and supervised tummy time. The American Academy of Pediatrics says in its page on abdominal pain in infants that gas pain typically peaks at 6 to 8 weeks and improves considerably by 3 months.
A crying baby who pulls up their legs is not always gassy, though. The NHS lists hunger, a dirty nappy, wind, reflux and constipation among the everyday reasons babies cry. If the crying does not fit a pattern, or your baby seems unwell, the warning signs at the end of this page matter more than any remedy.
Less air in, more air out
Babies swallow air while feeding and crying. The AAP guide to gas relief for babies suggests:
- Burp during and after each feed. Hold your baby upright against your shoulder and pat or rub their back gently. Some babies protest at being interrupted, so pause at a natural break, such as when you switch sides.
- Slow the flow from the bottle. A teat that pours too fast makes babies gulp. Trying a different teat or bottle shape is a matter of trial and error.
- Let formula settle. Shaking powdered formula hard adds bubbles. Letting the mixed bottle settle before feeding lets some of them rise.
The NHS page on colic adds two things that help many gassy babies: hold or sit your baby upright during feeds, and wind them afterwards.
Gentle movement
With your baby awake and lying on their back, move their legs slowly in a cycling motion. The AAP describes this as a form of massage that helps move gas along. Go gently and stop if your baby resists or cries harder.
Supervised tummy time on a firm surface can also help, because the light pressure on the tummy helps gas on its way out. Only do this while your baby is awake and you are right there. For sleep, your baby always goes on their back.
Calming a crying baby
When gas and general fussiness overlap, comfort helps even if it does not fix the cause. The NHS suggests holding or cuddling your baby, gently rocking them over your shoulder or in a cot or pram, a warm bath, and gentle background white noise. The NHS guide to bathing your baby says to test the water with your elbow so it feels like body temperature, use plain water for the first month, and never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second. A baby bather can make it easier to hold a slippery newborn, but it is never a reason to step away.
Evening crying is especially common. The NHS notes that colic crying is often worse in the afternoon and evening, which is also when everyone at home is most tired.
Gripe water, gas drops and diet changes
Gripe water, janam ghutti and other traditional mixtures are often handed down in Indian families. The NHS says anti colic drops and herbal or probiotic supplements are not recommended and there is no evidence they help colic. The AAP says it cannot find good evidence that infant gas drops work either. Do not give your newborn any herbal water, drops or medicine without speaking to your paediatrician first.
If you are breastfeeding, the NHS says you do not need to change your diet for colic. The AAP suggests noticing whether one particular food clearly seems to upset your baby, without cutting out so many foods that your own diet suffers. If your baby is formula fed, talk to your paediatrician before switching formula.
The NHS also advises against spinal manipulation or cranial osteopathy for colic: there is little evidence they work and they may hurt your baby.
When to call your doctor
Gas alone does not make a baby ill. The AAP says excessive sleepiness, weight loss, poor feeding, vomiting and dehydration are not part of colic and need a check by your paediatrician. Call your doctor promptly if your baby:
- has blood or mucus in their stool
- vomits forcefully soon after feeds, or keeps vomiting
- has a swollen tummy
- has a fever, breathing problems or is unusually sleepy
- is feeding poorly, has fewer wet nappies, or is not putting on weight as expected
- still has colic symptoms after 4 months
Seek care right away if your baby has sudden bouts of intense pain where they cry abruptly and draw their legs up to their chest, especially with vomiting or dark, bloody stools. The AAP lists this pattern as a sign of intussusception, which needs urgent medical care. The NHS also says to go to an emergency department if your baby has a weak or high pitched cry, or a cry that does not sound like their normal cry.
Long crying spells are exhausting. If you are finding it hard to cope, or nothing you try seems to help, the NHS advises speaking to your GP or health visitor. Never shake a baby, however tired or upset you feel.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
