The Best Natural Remedies for Baby Gas and Colic Relief (Backed by Science & Parents)

August 5, 2025

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The Best Natural Remedies for Baby Gas — Src

Colic or gas can be one of the most common and heartbreaking situations to be in as a new parent. When your baby cries for hours, nonstop, arches their back, clenches their fists, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure.

My newborn was usually a happy baby. But the only time he wailed and cried was during colic pain. As a new parent, I felt helpless and tried every trick in the book to soothe him. Though the pediatrician prescribed colic medicines, I sometimes relied on natural remedies too, and gladly, they worked!

The good news? These issues are temporary. And better still, many gentle, natural remedies can help your baby feel more comfortable without medication.

This article combines the top science-backed fixes and calming tricks relied upon by parents around the globe. Whether you’re attempting massage, changing feeding positions, or probing probiotics, you’ll discover step-by-step guidance here.

Gas vs. Colic: What’s the Difference?

Before you attempt any remedies, it’s useful to know what’s going on in your baby’s body. Here’s a quick comparison between gas and colic.

Gas:

Caused or triggered by swallowed air or unabsorbed milk.
Results in bloating, rumbling tummy, or discomfort.
Typically happens after eating or during crankiness.

Colic:

Unexplained, severe crying bouts, with no gaps.
Occurs at the same time every day (usually evening).
Lasts more than 3 hours a day, 3 plus days a week, for longer than 3 weeks.
Baby might look red-faced, fists clenched, legs curled up, or scream continuously.

Key difference: Gas is periodic. Colic is more frequent, intense, and continuous.

Why Do Babies Get Gassy or Colicky?

These are the most frequent reasons:

Immature Digestive System:

Infants are born with an underdeveloped gut. They don’t process food (or milk) well, which makes them more prone to trapped air and tummy cramps.

Swallowed Air:

It might be from rapid feeding, crying, or gulping with a bottle, but air can become trapped.

Feeding Issues:

Poor latch during breastfeeding
A formula that doesn’t sit well with the baby
Overfeeding or underfeeding
Reaction to dairy, caffeine, or cruciferous veggies in mom’s diet (if breastfeeding)

Gut Bacteria Imbalance:

New research indicates that colicky babies could have unique microbiomes compared to fussier babies.

Overstimulation:

Too much light, sound, or interaction can overstimulate a newborn’s nervous system, resulting in colicky crying spells.

Here are a few ways that help relieve colic and gas pain in babies, naturally:

1. Baby Massage to Relieve Gas

One of the most potent and calming treatments you can attempt is baby massage. It stimulates digestion, mobilizes stuck air, and makes your baby feel relaxed and secure.

When to do it:

Wait at least 30–45 minutes after feeding.
Pick a quiet time—such as after a bath or nap.
Place the baby on a warm, soft surface.

How to do it (step-by-step):

2. Clockwise Tummy Circles

Use your fingertips to massage your baby’s tummy gently in slow, clockwise circles. This is the natural flow of digestion in the large intestine and encourages gas to move downward.

“I Love U” strokes:

Trace the letter I on the left side of your infant’s belly (your right).
Then draw an L with your hand, from the top of the tummy across and down.
Lastly, a large U, from the bottom right to the left side.

This stimulates intestinal movement and promotes the release of the bowels.

Bicycle Legs:

Hold both legs and circle them gently in a cycling motion. This compresses the belly and allows gas to pass.

Knees to Chest:

Bring the knees toward the belly and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5–10 times. This massages and stretches intestines from the outside.

3. Tummy Time: More Than Muscle Building

Tummy time does more than strengthen neck and shoulder muscles for your baby—it eases gas, too.

Why it works:

The pressure on your baby’s belly helps move trapped air through the intestines.
It stimulates natural movement and digestion.

How to do it safely:

Begin with 3–5 minutes, 2–3 times daily.
Place the baby on your chest, across your lap, or on a play mat.
Supervise tummy time at all times.
If your baby resists, use a mirror or toys to distract them.

Read More: When Do Babies Start Teething?

4. Bicycle Legs and Knee-to-Tummy Moves

These easy exercises benefit squirmy, restless babies or those who look bloated.

Step-by-step:

Place the baby on their back on a soft blanket.
Cradle their ankles gently.
Slowly pedal legs, as in a bicycle.
Next, bring your knees to your tummy and hold for just a moment.
Do this cycle for 5–10 minutes.

These exercises can assist your baby in passing gas naturally and even help mild constipation.

5. Warm Compress or Bath

Heat relaxes the muscles of the abdomen and calms discomfort.

Two ways to try:

Warm Compress:

Soak a washcloth in warm (not hot) water.
Squeeze it out and fold.
Put it on gently over the baby’s tummy for 5–10 minutes.

Always try it on your wrist first!

Warm Bath:

Fill a baby bath with warm water.
Put your baby in gently, supporting the head.
Allow them to soak and kick—this usually gets rid of stuck-on gas.
You can have a massage immediately after the bath for added relief.

6. Probiotics for Colic Relief

Probiotics might rebalance gut flora, which could alleviate colic and gas in some infants.

How It Helps:

Reduces crying time in breastfed infants.
Most effective after around 3 weeks of daily supplementation.
Safe and well-tolerated if used properly.

How to Take:

Currently available as liquid drop
Put directly into the baby’s mouth or add to milk.
Use only baby-specific strains.
Consult a pediatrician first.

Feeding Techniques That Reduce Gas

Occasionally, gas begins with the way you feed your baby. These hints can be helpful:

If you bottle-feed:

Use slow-flow nipples with anti-colic bottles.
Tilt the bottle so the nipple is always full of milk.
Burp your baby halfway through and after each feed.

If you breastfeed:

Ensure the baby’s latch is tight and deep.
Don’t switch sides too frequently during the feed.
If your milk comes out too fast, express a little first before feeding.
Keep the baby upright after and during feeding.

Burping positions to try:

Over-the-shoulder: Pat the baby’s back gently while they are resting upright.
Sitting on your lap: Support their chest and chin, lean forward a bit, and pat their back.
Tummy across knees: Place the baby across your knees and rub their back.

Some babies burp with ease. Others require time and patience.

Natural Gripe Water and Herbal Remedies

Several parents swear by gripe water—but not all gripe waters are made equal.

What’s in gripe water?

Typically, these herbs include:

Fennel: May calm the digestive tract. Fennel works like magic, trust me!
Ginger: Can ease nausea.
Chamomile: Provides a calming effect.

Safety precautions:

Skip products containing alcohol, sugar, or peppermint oil (will cause reflux).
Choose products that are pediatrician-recommended.
Test a few drops first and observe for side effects.

Always ask your pediatrician first before trying any of the above to avoid a reaction.

Homemade remedy that I use for my baby:

Steep ¼ tsp fennel seeds in boiling water, let it cool, and give 1–2 teaspoons, but only after consulting your physician/pediatrician.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

Most gas and colic are normal, but there are times when medical help is needed.

Call your doctor if:

Crying is constant, and nothing helps
Baby has fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
Baby is vomiting forcefully or repeatedly
Stools have blood or mucus
Baby is losing weight or feeding poorly
You suspect a milk allergy or acid reflux

When in doubt, ask. You’re not overreacting—you’re protecting your baby.

When my son had colic, I wept alongside him some evenings. What aided me most was establishing a small routine—bath, massage, upright feeding, and merely remaining calm.

For several days, there were few results. But gradually, his system came of age. By month four, the crying episodes decreased. He smiled more often. We all slept peacefully.

If you’re in the midst of it presently, please understand—it gets better.

Conclusion: Gentle Support for Your Baby’s Tummy

Gas and colic are tough—on babies and parents. But with calm, observation, and natural remedies, you can make a significant impact.

Whether through massage, warm baths, probiotics, or feeding adjustments, comfort can be found. Each baby is unique—what soothes one may not soothe another. Trust your instincts, be consistent, and rely on your pediatrician for advice.

You’re doing a great job. And you’re not alone.

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