8 Ways to Prevent Gas in Babies and Toddlers

Rumbling little tummies are fun for no one. Protect your baby or toddler's stomach with these doctor-recommended strategies to help prevent gas.

RELATED: Signs Your Baby Has Gas

Offer a Pacifier

Sucking on a Binky is comforting and “wakes up” the GI tract, which may help gas get moving. —Samira Armin, M.D., a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Pediatrics in Houston

Zen Out

Teach your child deep breathing, and offer a shoulder massage or a tummy rub. Any type of relaxation can lessen his abdominal pain. —John Rosen, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Mercy, in Kansas City, Missouri

Schedule Bathroom Trips

Take advantage of the tendency to have a bowel movement after eating by having your kid spend five minutes, but no more than that, on the toilet after meals. —Dr. Rosen

Get Her Off the Couch

When kids are sitting around all the time, so are their intestines. The GI tract just plain functions better when there is regular cardio activity in a child’s day. —Jeremiah Levine, M.D., director of pediatric gastroenterology at NYU Langone Health

RELATED: Foods That Cause Gas in Babies

Soften Things Up

If constipation accompanies your kid’s gas, you may want to mix tasteless, odorless MiraLAX into his beverage each day to draw more water into the colon and soften the stool. Talk to your pediatrician about the right dose for your child’s age. —Jean Molleston, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist with Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health

Cut Out Gum and Soda

Chewing gum and drinking carbonated beverages allows big kids to take in excess air that contributes to gas. —Dr. Levine

Serve More Fiber

Offer more nuts, whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Fiber is a prebiotic that is used by intestinal bacteria and can improve motility. —Dr. Levine

RELATED: The Best Remedies for Gas & Reflux

Try Probiotics

If you don’t see improvement in three to four weeks, stop spending money on it. —Dr. Rosen