Newborn babies cannot tell you when their tummy hurts. Instead, they communicate discomfort through crying, squirming, pulling their legs toward their tummy, becoming fussy during or after feeds, or having difficulty settling.
Gas is common during the early weeks of life because newborns are still developing their feeding and digestive patterns. Babies can also swallow air while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, particularly when they are very hungry or feeding quickly. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that excess gas can be uncomfortable for newborns and tends to peak around 6–8 weeks before improving significantly by around 3 months.
If you're searching for a newborn baby stomach pain home remedy, it's important to focus on gentle, low-risk comfort measures rather than giving your baby unverified medicines, herbal preparations or traditional remedies.
Here are some practical ways parents can try to ease mild gas and tummy discomfort at home.
Is Gas Normal in Newborn Babies?
Yes. Gas is a normal part of digestion, and newborns are still learning how to coordinate feeding, swallowing and passing gas.
A baby may swallow air while:
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Breastfeeding
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Bottle-feeding
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Crying
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Feeding very quickly
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Using a bottle nipple with an unsuitable flow
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Becoming extremely hungry before a feed
You may notice your baby passing gas frequently, becoming restless or drawing their knees toward their tummy.
However, crying does not always mean that your baby has gas. Newborns cry for many reasons, including hunger, tiredness, needing a diaper change, being too hot or cold, overstimulation and illness.
If your baby seems to be in pain or has persistent symptoms, speak with your pediatrician rather than assuming that gas is the cause.
1. Burp Your Baby During and After Feeds
One of the simplest approaches to newborn gas is burping.
Your baby may swallow air while feeding. Burping can help release some of that swallowed air.
You can try burping your baby:
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During a feed
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After finishing a feed
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When your baby appears uncomfortable during feeding
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When your baby pauses or becomes restless
Hold your baby upright against your chest or shoulder and gently pat or rub their back.
You don't need to pat forcefully. Gentle movements are enough.
For bottle-fed babies, the NHS recommends burping during and after feeds and keeping the baby relatively upright while feeding to help reduce swallowed air.
2. Keep Your Baby Upright After Feeding
After feeding, hold your baby upright for a little while rather than immediately placing them flat.
An upright position may help your baby's stomach settle and can make it easier for trapped air to move.
This can be particularly useful if your baby tends to spit up frequently.
Remember, however, that when it is time for sleep, your baby should always be placed on their back on a safe, flat sleep surface. Do not use an inclined sleep position as a treatment for gas or reflux.
3. Feed Before Your Baby Becomes Extremely Hungry
A very hungry baby may feed quickly and swallow more air.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding feeding only once a baby has become extremely hungry, because frantic feeding can increase swallowed air.
Look for your baby's early hunger cues, such as:
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Moving their head toward the breast
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Opening their mouth
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Bringing hands toward their mouth
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Making sucking movements
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Becoming increasingly alert
Responding to early hunger cues may help create a calmer feeding experience.
4. Check the Feeding Position
Your baby's position during feeding can affect how much air they swallow.
During bottle-feeding, keep your baby in a comfortable, relatively upright position. Make sure the teat remains filled with milk rather than allowing your baby to suck in air.
If your baby frequently seems uncomfortable during bottle feeds, talk to your pediatrician about feeding technique and whether the bottle or nipple you're using is appropriate.
Avoid making frequent formula changes without professional advice. The NHS specifically advises parents not to change formula for colic unless advised by a healthcare professional.
5. Try Gentle Bicycle Leg Movements
Gentle movement can sometimes help your baby pass gas.
Place your baby on their back while they are awake and supervised. Carefully move their legs in a slow, bicycle-like motion.
You can also gently bend the baby's knees toward the tummy and then release them.
Keep the movements slow and comfortable.
Never force your baby's legs into a position they resist.
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists bicycle leg movements among techniques parents can try to help move gas through a baby's intestines.
6. Give a Gentle Tummy Massage
A gentle tummy massage can be another comforting option.
Place your baby safely on their back while awake. Using clean hands, make very soft circular movements over the tummy.
Keep the pressure extremely light.
You can try the massage for a short period and watch your baby's reaction. If your baby becomes more distressed, stop.
Some babies may find gentle massage relaxing even when they are not experiencing gas.
If your baby has a swollen, hard or unusually tender abdomen, however, do not massage the area. Contact your pediatrician instead.
7. Try Supervised Tummy Time
Tummy time is an important activity for babies when they are awake and supervised.
It can also involve gentle pressure against the abdomen, which may help some babies move gas.
Place your baby on their tummy only when they are awake and directly supervised.
Never use tummy time as a sleeping position.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that placing an infant tummy-down while awake and supervised, along with tummy time, can help move gas through the intestines.
For sleep, always return your baby to their back.
8. Try a Warm Bath
A comfortably warm bath can sometimes help a fussy baby relax.
Keep the water at a safe temperature and stay within arm's reach of your baby at all times.
The purpose is comfort rather than treating a medical condition.
If your baby enjoys baths, you can make it part of a calming evening routine.
The American Academy of Pediatrics lists warm baths among techniques parents can try when comforting a fussy or colicky baby.
The Mom Store offers baby bathing products, including the Nuluv Baby Bather, which is listed for babies from 0–6 months. You can explore the Baby Bather Collection when choosing bathing essentials.
A baby bather is a bathing aid and should never be treated as a substitute for hands-on supervision.
9. Use Gentle Rocking and Comforting
Sometimes what looks like stomach discomfort may actually be general fussiness.
Holding your baby close, gently rocking them or walking slowly while carrying them may help them settle.
Other calming techniques include:
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Speaking softly
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Singing
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Gentle back rubbing
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Swaddling safely
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Using quiet white noise
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Dimming bright lights
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends several of these approaches for soothing fussy babies.
Try one approach at a time rather than rapidly switching between several techniques. Too much stimulation can sometimes make an already upset baby harder to settle.
10. Consider Your Baby's Feeding Pattern
If your baby frequently becomes uncomfortable during or after feeds, keep track of when the symptoms occur.
A simple diary can include:
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Feeding time
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Breast or bottle feeding
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Approximate feeding duration
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Burping
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Spitting up
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Bowel movements
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Crying episodes
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Sleep
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Any foods or formula changes
This information can be useful when discussing your baby's symptoms with a pediatrician.
It can also help you identify whether the discomfort consistently occurs at a particular point in the feeding routine.
What About Gripe Water and Gas Drops?
Parents often hear about gripe water, gas drops and other products marketed for newborn gas or colic.
However, you should not automatically assume that a product is safe simply because it is labelled "natural" or designed for babies.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends discussing products such as gas drops or probiotics with your pediatrician, while also noting that they are not always helpful.
Its guidance on calming babies also notes that research has not shown gripe water or gas drops to be effective for crying.
For this reason, don't give your newborn herbal water, digestive mixtures, supplements or medicines without first speaking with your pediatrician.
Newborns are particularly sensitive to incorrect doses and inappropriate ingredients.
What About Changing a Breastfeeding Mother's Diet?
You may hear that breastfeeding mothers should completely avoid foods such as cabbage, onions, beans or spicy foods whenever a baby has gas.
There is not enough evidence to recommend automatically eliminating these foods.
If your baby consistently appears uncomfortable after feeds, discuss the pattern with your pediatrician or lactation professional before making major dietary changes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that dietary changes may sometimes be considered when food sensitivity is suspected, but commonly blamed "gassy" foods have not been scientifically proven to cause colic.
What About Formula-Fed Babies?
If your baby is formula-fed and frequently experiences gas or feeding discomfort, speak with your pediatrician before changing formulas.
Different formulas may be appropriate for different babies, but repeatedly switching products without professional guidance can make it difficult to identify what is causing symptoms.
Your pediatrician can assess feeding patterns, growth, stool changes and other symptoms before recommending whether a change is necessary.
How to Tell If It May Be Colic
Colic is one possible explanation for prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy young baby.
It commonly begins during the first few weeks and generally improves by around 3–4 months. The NHS describes colic as crying for three or more hours a day, on at least three days a week, for at least three weeks.
Signs may include:
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Long periods of crying
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Difficulty calming the baby
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Clenched fists
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Drawing knees toward the tummy
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A flushed face
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Increased windiness
Colic can be exhausting for parents, but it generally improves with age.
If you are unsure whether your baby's crying is colic, speak with your pediatrician so other causes can be considered.
When Should You Call the Pediatrician?
This is one of the most important sections for parents looking for a newborn baby stomach pain home remedy.
Do not try to manage significant symptoms at home if your baby appears genuinely unwell.
Contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby:
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Has persistent or severe abdominal discomfort
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Is feeding poorly
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Has repeated vomiting
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Has blood in vomit or stool
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Has a swollen or unusually hard abdomen
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Is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
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Has fewer wet diapers
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Is not gaining weight appropriately
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Has a fever
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Has a sudden change in their normal behavior
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises medical evaluation when abdominal discomfort is accompanied by concerning symptoms such as poor feeding, vomiting, dehydration, excessive sleepiness or weight loss.
For very young babies, fever deserves particular attention. If a newborn has a fever or you are concerned that your baby may be ill, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
Seek urgent medical attention if your baby has difficulty breathing, becomes unresponsive or floppy, develops blue or grey coloring, or has another severe or sudden change in their condition.
What Parents Should Never Do
When a baby cries for hours, it can be incredibly frustrating. But never shake, jerk or roughly handle your baby.
If you feel overwhelmed, place your baby safely in their crib on their back and take a short break while another responsible adult takes over if possible.
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that keeping the baby safe is the priority when crying becomes overwhelming.
Remember that asking for help is not a sign that you are doing something wrong.
Final Thoughts
Gas and fussiness are common during the newborn period, but parents should avoid assuming that every episode of crying is caused by stomach pain.
If your baby otherwise appears well, simple measures such as careful feeding, regular burping, keeping your baby upright after feeds, gentle bicycle movements, supervised tummy time, light massage and calming techniques may provide comfort.
Most importantly, avoid giving your newborn herbal remedies, gripe water, supplements or medicines without professional advice.
Your baby's pediatrician is the best person to determine whether the symptoms are normal newborn gas, colic, feeding-related discomfort or something that needs treatment.
With patience, observation and a gentle routine, you can gradually learn which techniques help your baby settle. And remember: if your baby's behavior seems unusual or you simply feel that something isn't right, it is always appropriate to contact your healthcare provider.
