Can Tummy Time help to Get Rid of Constipation and Gas in Babies?

Just when you thought that your baby is crying of hunger, the reason could be otherwise. As the babies can’t move much so they frequently encounter problems like gas, acidity, and constipation. Your baby might have flatulence and bloating and that is what making them cranky. You can make your little bundle of joy feel better by laying them on their tummies.

Tummy time can be your baby's first exercise, and it is quite essential. Tummy time refers to your baby laid down on their belly. They can begin having their tummy time as newborns and carry on the same for at least one year.

Getting gassy and having stomach related issues is pretty common in babies. It is a common concern in parents, and they always want to know how it can be treated. Tummy time is one way to do it. You might be thinking that what causes gas and bloating in babies when they are exclusively breast fed. Well moms, the food you eat also makes the breast milk heavy to digest and give rise to gas and acidity. Furthermore, babies keep lying on their backs and it results in boredom and tiredness and by laying baby on their tummies their back becomes relaxed

Can tummy time cure constipation and gas?

Tummy time imposes a gentle pressure on the stomach of your baby, which can help relieve gas. Giving your baby a rub down helps them relax, which ease the motion of gas out of their body. The passing of gas also enhances healthy bowel movement, which reduces constipation in your baby.

Other benefits newborn tummy time

• Prevents flat head

• Enhances hand and eye coordination

• Boosts cerebral development

• Strengthens the muscles of neck, back, and shoulders

• Improves vision

• Helps you bond with your baby during the time

• Enhances gross motor development

• Encourages their senses

• Builds endurance

• Gets the baby to move sooner

Best way to indulge into tummy time for your baby

You can get your baby a play gym, and on that, you can lay your baby upside down, without having to worry. The play gym's bedding is quite soft and made of skin-friendly material, which poses no harm to your baby's sensitive skin. Also, the play gym is quite comfortable for your baby, and he can doze off after having tummy time, which is quite exhausting for babies. The play gym available on the Mylo app is equipped with all the things that your baby needs.

Tummy time is crucial for the early development and health of your child. Thus, it would help if you built a routine around it, and most importantly, accompany your child during tummy time.

Infant Tummy time after feeding

The babies should be allowed to burp right after feeding them and allow a break of around 30 to 45 minutes before laying your baby on their stomach. The baby is then ready to lie on their stomach while playing with their Favorite soft toys. This time will allow your baby to digest their food better and prevent digestive issues like colic pain due to gas and acidity.

Other ways to deal with gas and colic in babies

• If you are stressed out as your baby is continuously crying due to colic pain then you can also use Mylo’s tummy roll on which has ingredients that will aid digestion in babies.

• You can also massage your baby gently and lightly move his/her limbs so as to help him pass out the excessive gas in their little tummies.

• You can consume a light diet that that does not contain food items that are responsible for gassiness like kidney beans, chick peas, cabbage, and okra.

• If your baby is formula-fed then always follow the instructions to prepare the milk and don’t add extra water or powdered milk as your baby might not digest it properly.

Summary

Tummy time is a crucial exercise for babies which is not only good to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles but also helps the baby to get rid of excessive gas, flatulence, and bloating. The position also helps to keep constipation at bay as the milk is digested properly. You can engage your baby by reciting poems, and playing with the toys.

References

Hasler, W. L. (2006). Gas and Bloating. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2(9), 654–662. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5350578/

Lacy, B. E., Gabbard, S. L., & Crowell, M. D. (2011). Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Bloating. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 7(11), 729–739. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3264926/