Can infant gas-relief exercises be performed when the newborn is asleep?

Whether or not to perform排气操 (gas-relief exercises) on a newborn who is asleep should be determined based on specific circumstances.

1. Not necessary

If the newborn has been feeding normally on breast milk recently and shows no gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating, this generally indicates healthy intestinal function. In such cases, gas-relief exercises are not recommended while the baby is sleeping, to avoid disrupting their sleep.

2. Necessary

If the newborn has consumed excessive amounts of food recently, leading to increased gastrointestinal burden, indigestion, and symptoms such as abdominal bloating or decreased appetite, it may be appropriate to gently perform gas-relief exercises even while the baby is asleep. Performing these exercises during quiet, calm states tends to be more effective, as they can promote intestinal motility, facilitate gas release, and aid digestion. However, care must be taken to keep movements gentle to avoid startling the baby, causing pain, or triggering crying.

Since newborns have immature gastrointestinal digestive systems, overfeeding should be avoided during feeding to prevent discomfort.