Why is My Baby So Gassy? Understanding Newborn Digestive Discomfort.

In the early weeks and months of parenting, one of the most common concerns I hear from families is about babies who seem gassy, unsettled, and uncomfortable. It’s a topic that comes up often—and yet, it’s one that we don’t talk about enough.

If you love podcasts make sure you listen to Episode 71 of the Changing Birth Podcast - Digestive Discomfort in Newborns where I dive into this topic in more detail.

Many parents find themselves worrying that something is wrong with their baby when they see frequent squirming, grunting, or their baby goes red in the face when doing a poo. But once we understand the incredible changes happening in a newborn’s body, things start to make a lot more sense.

The Newborn Gut

Newborns are born with incredibly immature digestive systems. Their gut has never had to digest milk before, and the process of building a healthy microbiome and developing digestive maturity takes time. This immaturity is one of the main reasons babies can appear to struggle with wind, poo, and general tummy discomfort.

Babies also spend a lot of their time lying flat - which, as we know from our own bodies, isn’t ideal for digestion. While true that constipation is rare in breastfed babies, it’s still very normal for babies to grunt, squirm, draw up their knees, or make distressed faces as they try to pass wind or a bowel movement. These behaviours are not only normal—they're actually helpful strategies your baby uses to move things along in their body.

My 8 week old snoozing in the carrier.

But they look like they're in pain!

Some parents say to me, 'It looks like my baby is in pain.' And the unfortunate truth is that it might actually feel that way to them. When babies are born, the myelin sheath (the protective coating around the nerves) in their gut is still developing. Think of it like cotton wool which is patchy and incomplete at first. So when wind or a poo stimulates those immature nerve endings, it can feel quite intense for a baby.

The good news? By around 3 to 4 months of age, this myelin sheath has usually matured significantly, and many of those uncomfortable sensations ease.

When to Seek Support

Of course, while digestive discomfort is usually completely normal, there are some situations where it’s helpful to dig a little deeper. If your baby seems unusually unsettled, or you're concerned about their feeding, weight gain, or output, it’s worth speaking with a midwife, lactation consultant, or GP.

Sometimes feeding difficulties, allergies (such as cow’s milk protein allergy) or reflux can be at play, and it’s important to rule these out. There may sometimes be an underlying feeding issue that is contributing to more unsettled behaviour in a baby.

Once you've had professional guidance to confirm there's nothing concerning going on, it becomes easier to lean into the normal (but often tiring) reality of early newborn life.

Five ways you can Support Your Baby when They Are Unsettled

While we can’t rush the development of a baby’s digestive system, there are things we can do to support them through this stage:

• Offer a feed - feeding is calming for babies, and offering a feed when they seem unsettled or distressed can be a great idea. Sometimes parents try not to feed as often because they are worried about 'overfeeding' and making the gassiness worse - but this isn't something you need to be concerned about. You can't overfeed a breastfed baby, and feeding more often isn't going to make the gassiness worse. By offering a breastfeed flexibly and frequently throughout the day and night you might find overall that your baby is more settled.

• Movement – Baby wearing while walking, rocking, or gentle bouncing on a yoga ball can help. Some babies prefer to be held in more upright positions - which is where a baby carrier can be super handy.

• Baths or showers – A warm bath (or skin-to-skin shower cuddles) can help calm your baby and relax their nervous system. Particularly helpful if they are crying and you've tried a breastfeed or some movement and they're still upset. A warm bath or shower can work as a 'circuit breaker' for those really unsettled periods.

• Time outdoors – Fresh air, sunshine, and a change of scenery can help regulate both you and your baby. You could go for a carrier/pram walk, or even just lay down in your backyard on a picnic mat/beach towel.

• Tummy time – Supervised tummy time can strengthen core muscles for your baby, and we often find babies are more settled in a prone/tummy to mummy position on their parents chest. Try the 'sloth position' shown in the photo below - it works well for many babies!

  
  
  

  

  Left photo - many babies prefer being held in more upright positions such as this, they often feel safe and warm when tucked into your chest which helps them feel more comfortable (important reminder - this is not a safe position for unsupervised sleep and is only recommended when you are fully alert and not sleeping yourself). Right photo - the 'sloth hold', can also be reversed with baby's head being cradled in your hand, and their body laying along your forearm. Many parents find this a handy position to try for when their baby is unsettled.

Most of all, trust that this phase will pass. Your baby is doing what babies are designed to do, and your support and calming presence are powerful - even when it feels like nothing is working.

I promise one day you'll wake up and realise this phase of unsettledness has passed! Hang in there, you’re doing a brilliant job!

Need some extra support during this season? Our team offers gentle, practical guidance for feeding, sleep, postnatal recovery, and everything in between. If you’d like to talk through what’s normal or get tailored support for your baby, Book an appointment or reach out to us at hello@heldmidwifery.com.au - we’d love to support you.

Article written by Hannah Willsmore, Registered Midwife, IBCLC and NDC (Possums) Practitioner and is current at May 2025.