Is a Gassy Baby Normal?

Most parents are concerned when their newborn is gassy, but it is entirely normal. 

Sarah Sobik, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, NABBLM-C, an outpatient breastfeeding medicine specialist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, consults new and expectant moms about breastfeeding and other pregnancy and newborn topics at the Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Clinic at ACH Southwest Little Rock Clinic.  She shared necessary information for new parents regarding gastrointestinal health in newborns.  
 
A newborn’s gas is rarely connected to what the mom eats.  

"Their gut has been fed through an umbilical cord for nine to 10 months, and now all of a sudden, it's being fed rich nutritious milk. It's learning how to digest that. So, newborns are just gassy, and that's usually pretty normal," Dr. Sobik said.  

If a baby is gassy but still enjoys eating and soothes easily to sleep, it's likely not a concern. However, there are warning signs the gas could indicate something more if a baby is: