Babies naturally become gassy at times when they drink anything other than purified water. It usually happens when they swallow air during feedings or cry. Gas occurs when air gets into the baby’s digestive tract when they swallow air. But how do you resolve such a thing from happening?
Reasons Why Babies Become Gassy
Swallowing Air
Latching onto the mother’s breast incorrectly can cause babies to swallow air. The same thing can happen when you let them drink infant formula from a bottle in a particular position. Babbling can also cause them to eat air.
Too Much Crying
Babies also swallow air when they cry. Thus, causing them to consume gas as it passes after crying. However, since babies will often find it discomforting when they’re gassy, it’ll be hard to distinguish whether they’re crying because of something else or if it is crying causing their gas. Either way, a caregiver or parent must address their baby’s needs in the best way possible.
Digestive Issues
Constipation can also cause babies to have gas. When they don’t get enough purified water for baby formula, babies can also become gassy. So, if you feel your baby has a minor digestive problem, it’s best to see a pediatrician about it. It’s also highly advisable to read the label if you need to boil water when preparing your baby’s infant formula.
Adapting to New Foods
There are also times when foods can cause babies to become gassy. Some infants can be sensitive to particular foods, thus causing an immediate reaction in their digestive system. It usually happens when older infants start eating solid foods besides infant formula.
Gastrointestinal Virus
Viral infection can trigger various stomach problems such as diarrhea and gas. That’s why boiling tap water is highly advisable to prepare baby formula safely. You should also get the water tested to know if it contains too much fluoride. Doing so ensures that you can safely prepare baby formula while protecting them from any potential health concern.
Primary Symptoms of Gas in Babies
Although gas isn’t a medical condition, it can have painful symptoms for babies. Here are a few of the telltale signs that your baby may be experiencing gas:
- face looking red when crying
- frequent body twisting
- inability to sleep well or eat well
- positions their legs up near their chest
- appearing discomfort
If your baby exhibits these symptoms, it’s best to see a board-certified pediatrician. They’ll ask you to keep tabs on what your baby is eating, whether they consume infant formula or breastfeeding. They’ll also check for any other signs of viral infection and examine the baby’s stool.
The Effect of a Baby’s Diet With Gas
Breastmilk is the primary source of food for most babies. It’s also the healthiest choice when available. However, incorrect posture may cause babies to become gassy. Infant formula can also cause gas.
When powdered formula gets mixed with bottled or purified water, it creates air bubbles, increasing gas chances. So, instead of powdered formula, you can use a liquid concentrate formula to feed your baby.
Can You Use Bottled Water for Formula?
Yes, you can use bottled water when mixing baby formula. However, it’s highly advisable to determine the fluoride level in the water to ensure your child won’t be at risk of developing dental fluorosis.
Fluorosis is a dental condition that creates faint white markings on a person’s teeth due to exposure to too much fluoride. It usually happens when you use tap water or any other type of water source when preparing infant formula for your baby.
Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the risks of acquiring dental fluorosis. Choose low-fluoride bottled water when you prepare baby formula [1]. You may read the bottled water label to see how much fluoride is in the regular bottled drinking water.
Meanwhile, if you’re using tap water, consider boiling it for one minute to eliminate harmful pathogens. Also, ensure it’s warm enough for your baby by putting a few drops on your wrist to see if it’s almost the same as your body temperature.
It’s also highly advisable to look for a baby formula product with DHA and ARA. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid). These are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids commonly found in plant oils and other sources. DHA promotes brain function and cognitive growth, while ARA supports your child’s immune system [2].
How Bottled Water Can Help with Gassy Babies
As previously discussed, gastrointestinal viruses are present in places you’d likely expect them to be, even in a purified water. So, choosing a water source with the least amount of pathogens is best to ensure your baby’s safety.
Most purified water products go through different processes to ensure that little to no chemicals or pathogens will be left in them. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most common water sources you can use for baby formula.
Different Types of Water
1. Tap Water
Tap water comes from a municipal piped water supply available in almost every area in the country. The same water goes through the kitchen sink or the water you use for your dishwasher. Though many people are hesitant to use tap water for their baby’s formula, tap water in the country is safe to drink.
However, there are times when contamination may happen despite the industry regulations meant to prevent any contamination of harmful substances in place. So, boiling tap water before using it for your prepared formula is highly advisable.
2. Mineral Water
Another option that you can consider is mineral bottled water. Manufacturers often source this bottled water from mineral springs, an excellent source of various minerals, including sulfur and calcium.
However, one primary downside of using mineral water is the cost. Compared to tap water, mineral water can be expensive, primarily when used for your prepared formula.
3. Spring Water
Theoretically speaking, spring or glacier water should be clean and toxin-free. It should also have various minerals also found in mineral low-fluoride bottled water.
However, same with mineral water, spring water can be expensive. So, spring water could get pricey depending on how much you use for your concentrated liquid formula.
4. Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is an infusion of water and carbon dioxide gas under pressure. Aside from the fizzy mouth feel, it also comes with sweeteners. It is also more expensive than tap water and other types of drinking water.
5. Distilled Water
Distilled water is an excellent option if you’re planning to visit an area where the municipal tap water supply has possible contamination. Although it lacks vitamins and minerals, it’s an excellent source of liquid concentrate formula since you no longer need to boil water.
6. Alkaline Water
Compared to other types of water, alkaline water has a higher pH level. It also contains alkaline minerals and negative oxidation-reduction potential, which may help neutralize the acid in the person’s body and may even help slow the aging process. However, it can also lead to metabolic alkalosis, which may cause a person to feel nauseated.
7. Well Water
The last one on the list is well water. Well water is sourced from the ground. It’s also untreated, so there’s a massive potential to carry harmful pathogens, bacteria, and even chemicals. Because of this, one essential step in disease control is to boil water.
When boiling water, you need to ensure that it’s to let it stays boiling for a minute to get rid of the harmful pathogens in the water. It’s also best to install a filtration system to turn it into distilled or purified water.
Key Takeaways
Gas is normal for a baby. However, it’s still essential to discuss it with your pediatrician, especially if you feel that it’s disrupting their daily lives. However, it’s best to contact a pediatrician who’s an active American Academy of Pediatrics member if your baby is experiencing constipation, bloody stool, or diarrhea.
Although most babies don’t seem affected by their gas, it can be frustrating for some babies and their parents or caregivers. So, in the meantime, you can always look for a few home remedies to relieve your baby’s stomach pain.
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