Gas is often the culprit behind a fussy baby. Many moms would recognize the high-pitched, red-faced cry of an infant with stomach pain, or the way she might arch her back or straighten her little legs. It can be a helpless feeling, watching your baby cry in pain, but there are things you can do to help.

1. Try “laid back nursing.” Position yourself slightly reclined, and hold baby tummy-to-tummy on top of you. This slows down the spray of the milk, reducing air bubbles, and the pressure on baby’s stomach may relieve some discomfort.
2. When you feel your milk letting down, remove the breast from baby’s mouth momentarily and catch the milk in a burp cloth or diaper. This way, your baby won’t have to gulp down milk when the flow is at its fastest.
3. Burp your baby often during feedings.
4. Avoid caffeine and foods that may cause gas. It might also help to keep a food diary so that you can track foods that may be contributing to the problem.
5. Don’t wait until baby is crying to nurse- look for early hunger cues, like rooting or putting hands in mouth. An upset, crying baby will take in more air before and during a feeding.

Of course, these methods help a lot, but sometimes there’s just not much you can do to prevent gas. For a gassy baby, you might try using gripe water, bicycling his legs, and keeping him upright, with legs in froggy position.