How to Stop Your Baby from Taking in Air When Bottle-Feeding

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Keep your newborn from getting gassy before & after feedings
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If your baby has gas or an upset tummy from swallowing air, you’re in the right place. We know how frustrating it can be, so we’ve rounded up the best advice on getting rid of bubbles in their bottle and stopping them from gulping air. We’ll even cover how to relieve your baby’s gas when they start acting fussy. Whether you’re feeding them breast milk or formula, we’ve got solutions for you. From lowering the angle of the bottle to mixing formula more gently, keep reading to find out how to make your baby’s mealtime gas-free.

Things You Should Know

  • Put the formula or breast milk into an angle-neck bottle with a slow-flow nipple . Stir or swirl the formula in the bottle to mix it together instead of shaking it.
  • Hold your baby upright while feeding them. Position the bottle horizontally so the formula or milk fills the end of the nipple to stop your baby from taking in air.
  • Take breaks while feeding your baby to burp them and get rid of excess gas. Stop feeding your baby once they’re full and turn their head away from the bottle.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Preparing a Bottle to Prevent Air Bubbles

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    Use an angle-neck bottle to stop your baby from sucking in air. Choose a bottle that has a slight bend in the middle, which helps the breast milk or formula collect in the end of the nipple. Because the milk or formula completely fills the nipple, your baby won’t be able to gulp up as much air when they’re feeding. [1]
    • Try using a vented bottle with an inner straw that releases air bubbles from inside, or opt for a collapsible bottle that has a disposable plastic liner that compacts while your baby drinks.
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    A slow-flow nipple prevents the milk or formula from coming out too fast, which could cause your baby to take in air during their mealtime. [2] Start off with a nipple labeled with the number 1 to pick the one with the slowest flow. If your baby takes a long time to finish eating or the bottle nipple collapses, then move up to the next nipple size . [3]
    • Every baby is different, so don’t be afraid to try different styles and sizes of bottle nipples to see which one your newborn likes the best.
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    If you’re preparing formula and need to mix it with water, use a clean spoon or fork to break apart all of the clumps. Alternatively, hold the top of the bottle and gently swirl the formula around until it dissolves. That way, the formula won’t look foamy or have as many air bubbles as if you had shaken it. [4]
    • Mix the formula in a different container if it’s easier to stir that way. Just be sure to pour the formula slowly into the bottle so it doesn’t form air bubbles.
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    Right after you finish stirring the formula, set it down and leave it for a couple of minutes. The air bubbles will rise to the top and pop so they aren’t in the formula anymore. After that, you’re ready to feed your baby and have a happy mealtime. [5]
    • Tap the bottom of the bottle against a hard surface to help force the bubbles to the top.
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    Add gas drops to the bottle to help prevent gas buildup after feeding. Gas drops contain simethicone, which helps relieve gas and bloating in babies. [6] Follow the dosage instructions on the package because they may vary by brand, and add the drops directly to your baby’s formula while you’re mixing it.
    • Gas drops are safe to use for every mealtime.
    • The only known side effects to gas drops are allergic reactions like rashes, itching, or swelling. If you notice your baby has any of these symptoms, stop using the drops and contact a doctor. [7]
    • Gas drops work best as a preventative measure, and they won’t be very effective if your baby already has gas.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Stopping Your Baby from Gulping Air while Feeding

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    When you’re getting ready to feed your baby, find a comfortable sitting position and nestle them up in the crook of your arm. Make sure to keep their head upright and slightly tilt their back so they’re sitting up. [8] That way, your baby can drink the milk or formula slowly instead of taking big gulps with air bubbles. [9]
    • Avoid laying your baby down while you’re feeding them because they could choke on the formula or milk.
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    Hold the bottle horizontally so the milk or formula completely fills the end of the nipple. This helps prevent air bubbles from getting into the formula while your baby drinks so they don’t get as gassy. [10]
    • Holding the bottle upright could make the formula come out too quickly and cause your baby to gulp air while they’re drinking.
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    As you’re feeding your baby, watch where they latch onto the bottle. If you notice they only have the tip of the nipple, then slowly guide it further into their mouth. That way, they form a good seal and don’t suck in any air bubbles while they eat. [11]
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    If your baby closes their mouth or turns away from the bottle as you’re feeding them, it may be a sign that they’ve had enough to drink. They may also relax their hands or push the bottle away from them to signal they’re done eating. Don’t try to force a newborn to drink the entire bottle if they’re full because it could make them gassy or more prone to spitting up. [12]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Relieving Gas

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    Burp your baby 2–3 times throughout a feeding session. After a few minutes of feeding, take the bottle out of your baby’s mouth and set it aside. Put a towel under their chin and sit them up on your lap, using one hand to support their chest. Gently rub their back with your other hand until they burp. Then, continue with feeding your baby. [13]
    • It’s completely normal for a baby to spit up a little formula or breast milk when you burp them. Just wipe up the mess and continue feeding them after.
    • Be sure to burp your baby once you finish feeding them too.
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    If your baby is acting fussy after feeding them, try laying them on their back and holding onto their feet. Slowly move their legs up and down so it looks like they’re pedaling a bike. Keep moving their legs around until they burp or relieve some of their gas.
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    Give your baby tummy time to work out gas. Wait about 20–30 minutes after your baby finishes eating so the formula or milk settles in their stomach. Then, lie them on their tummy on the floor or on your lap. Laying on their tummy may help push out gas and help soothe your baby. [14]
    • It may also help to gently rub your baby’s belly to help break apart gas bubbles.
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    Switch to a different kind of formula . If your baby keeps getting gassy when you’re using one formula, it may help to try out a different brand or variety. Try going with a sensitive formula with lower lactose to prevent your baby from feeling uncomfortable and bloated when they finish eating. [15]
    • When you switch to a new formula, do it gradually. Start by mixing 1 scoop of the old formula with 1 scoop of the new formula for the first 2–3 days. Then, make the full switch to the new one. [16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How long should you hold your baby upright after feeding?
    Denise Stern
    Parenting Specialist
    Denise Stern is a Parenting Specialist and the CEO of Let Mommy Sleep, the country’s leading Baby Nurse and Postpartum Care service. After her own postpartum challenges, Denise started Let Mommy Sleep in 2010 to lend an extra hand to families with newborns. The service started by hiring Baby Nurses and Newborn Caregivers to provide childcare and education to parents during night hours. To this day, Denise and her company specialize in providing nurturing care to newborns and evidence-based education to their parents. Denise was the US Chamber of Commerce Leading Woman-Owned Business in 2013, a Washington FAMILY Magazine Mother of the Year in 2016, and on the elite White House Summit for Working Families hosted by the President and First Lady Obama in 2014. Let Mommy Sleep is the only company in the US that has developed a postpartum care curriculum that has since won a local government contract. Denise continues to be a leader in the in-home newborn care industry by building and maintaining a team of newborn care experts, baby nurses (RN/LPN) and postpartum doulas across the US. She received a BA in Public Relations from North Carolina State University.
    Denise Stern
    Parenting Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Hold them upright for a minimum of 20 minutes, but if you can do it for closer to 30-45 minutes, that's even better. They might fall asleep, but that's okay—the air can still come up. When they're upright, gravity is at work for them.
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  • Question
    How can I relieve my baby's gas fast?
    Denise Stern
    Parenting Specialist
    Denise Stern is a Parenting Specialist and the CEO of Let Mommy Sleep, the country’s leading Baby Nurse and Postpartum Care service. After her own postpartum challenges, Denise started Let Mommy Sleep in 2010 to lend an extra hand to families with newborns. The service started by hiring Baby Nurses and Newborn Caregivers to provide childcare and education to parents during night hours. To this day, Denise and her company specialize in providing nurturing care to newborns and evidence-based education to their parents. Denise was the US Chamber of Commerce Leading Woman-Owned Business in 2013, a Washington FAMILY Magazine Mother of the Year in 2016, and on the elite White House Summit for Working Families hosted by the President and First Lady Obama in 2014. Let Mommy Sleep is the only company in the US that has developed a postpartum care curriculum that has since won a local government contract. Denise continues to be a leader in the in-home newborn care industry by building and maintaining a team of newborn care experts, baby nurses (RN/LPN) and postpartum doulas across the US. She received a BA in Public Relations from North Carolina State University.
    Denise Stern
    Parenting Specialist
    Expert Answer
    In addition to holding them upright and putting a little bit of pressure on their abdomen, you can also lay them on their back and do bicycle kicks, which is exactly what it sounds like. You gently hold each of their little feet in your hands and you do that bicycle motion to create a rhythmic sort of pressure on the abdomen. This helps the gas travel and hopefully come out.
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      Tips

      • Try to feed your baby before they get angry or start crying because they may end up swallowing excess air before they’re even fed. Watch for hunger cues, like putting their hands in their mouth, licking their lips, or moving their head around. [17]
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      Warnings

      • If your baby doesn’t finish their formula or milk within an hour, pour the leftovers out so bacteria doesn’t form. [18]
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about bottle feeding, check out our in-depth interview with Denise Stern .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/special-topic/buying-and-caring-for-baby-bottles-and-nipples
      2. ↑ https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/the-first-year/how-to-prevent-and-relieve-baby-gas
      3. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/choosing-a-bottle-flow-rate
      4. ↑ https://www.babycenter.com/health/conditions/gassy-tummy_10393850
      5. ↑ https://www.babycenter.com/baby/formula-feeding/can-i-change-from-ready-to-feed-to-powdered-formula_5404
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-relieve-baby-gas/
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19746-simethicone-suspension-drops
      8. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bottle-feeding
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/ThW_0qB7OIg?t=241
      1. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bottle-feeding
      2. ↑ https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/the-first-year/how-to-prevent-and-relieve-baby-gas
      3. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9693-feeding-your-baby-the-first-year
      4. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bottle-feeding
      5. ↑ https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/the-first-year/how-to-prevent-and-relieve-baby-gas
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-relieve-baby-gas/
      7. ↑ https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/recall/transitions.pdf
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9693-feeding-your-baby-the-first-year
      9. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bottle-feeding-formula-preparation

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you feed your baby from a bottle, you’ll want to keep air out of it so your baby doesn’t become gassy. Mix the milk or formula in a separate bowl or cup to decrease the risk of air bubbles forming. Once the milk or formula is ready, get the bowl or cup as close to the lip of the bottle as possible and slowly pour it in to keep bubbles at a minimum. If you have to prepare the formula in the bottle, stir it rather than shake the bottle so fewer air bubbles form. Let the bottle stand for 5 to 10 minutes before giving it to your baby to help it settle. When it’s time to feed your baby, hold the bottle so it’s horizontal and parallel to the floor so the milk fills the entire nipple. To learn how to choose the right bottle to minimize air getting into your baby’s tummy, keep reading!

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