Gas & Spit-Up

Jaclyn Olson

Updated July 03, 2025 14:39

Is it normal for my breastfed baby to be this gassy and spit up so much?

This is a great question—and a common concern. Most newborns have some gas, spit up, and fussiness. This is usually normal and can happen because a baby’s digestive system is still developing.

One reason for frequent spit-up is a loose valve at the top of the stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This valve helps keep milk in the stomach, and before it’s fully developed, milk can come back up easily.

Another part of development is called gut closure, where the baby’s intestines begin sealing small gaps so they can better digest food and keep germs out.

Fussiness and spitting up can also be caused by other factors, including growth spurts or other minor digestive issues. It’s important to work with your baby’s doctor to rule out these normal causes of gas and spit-up.

Could It Be an Allergy?

A true allergy to breast milk is very rare. If a baby shows signs of an allergy or intolerance, it’s usually not the breast milk itself. It may be a reaction to a food in the mom's diet—most often dairy or soy, but sometimes other triggers like eggs, wheat, or nuts—that pass into the milk.

Click here to read more about allergies and intolerances.

Common Causes and What You Can Do

1. Feeding Position and Latch

- A shallow latch (or baby not having a good seal) can cause your baby to swallow more air.
- Signs of a poor latch include hearing clicking sounds, seeing milk leak from the corners of the mouth, or your baby losing suction.
- Use proper positioning techniques to help achieve a good latch. Make sure your baby’s lips are flanged outward and the latch is deep.
- Tongue or lip ties can also lead to poor latch and extra air intake. Talk to your doctor, dentist, or a certified lactation consultant if you suspect a tie.

2. Bottle-Feeding Issues

- A fast-flow nipple may cause baby to gulp milk and swallow air. Choose a slow-flow nipple instead.
- Try paced bottle-feeding to slow the flow and reduce air intake.
- Avoid letting your baby suck air when the bottle is empty.

3. Overfeeding

- Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, babies may take in more milk than they can comfortably digest.
- If you think you're dealing with oversupply, check out tips for managing it here.

Tips to Relieve Gas

Try a few simple techniques to relieve gas and help your baby feel more comfortable. These tips often make a big difference for babies with normal digestive issues.

Burp baby often during and after feeds.
Gently massage baby’s tummy.
Do bicycle kicks (moving baby’s legs in a circular motion).
Hold your baby upright and still for at least 15 minutes after feeding. Avoid bouncing or using a swing immediately afterward.
Try the “magic hold”: Lay baby tummy-down along your forearm, with their head near your hand and their bottom tucked in your elbow.
Check your milk flow: Sometimes spit-up or gas happens when milk comes out too fast for your baby to handle. If you have a strong letdown, try nursing in a more laid-back position or letting the first letdown spray into a cloth before latching baby.

When to Call Baby’s Doctor

Spit-up often comes up with a burp. Most babies who spit up are “happy spitters”—they’re content, growing well, and have no breathing issues. If that sounds like your baby, they likely don’t need medical intervention.

Call Your Doctor if Your Baby:

- Seems very uncomfortable when spitting up
- Cries or arches before spit-up
- Has frequent coughing or choking spells
- Projectile vomits large amounts
- Spits up blood or has pink/red spit-up
- Is losing weight or gaining very slowly

Note: In rare cases, repeated forceful vomiting (especially if it’s projectile) may be caused by a condition called pyloric stenosis. This happens when the muscle at the bottom of the stomach becomes too tight, blocking food from passing into the intestines. It usually shows up in the first few weeks of life and needs medical treatment, so always check with your doctor if you're concerned.

Final Thoughts

Gas and spit-up are usually part of normal baby development and often improve as your baby grows—especially around six months, when they start sitting up on their own.

Still concerned? You’re not alone. Reach out to your pediatrician, lactation consultant, or your WIC breastfeeding peer counselor for support. Most of the time, babies with gas and spit-up don’t need their mothers to change what they eat or undergo special treatments. Still, it’s always okay to ask for help when something doesn’t feel right.