How long does newborn intestinal gas usually last?
Generally, the recovery time for intestinal gas in newborns mainly depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases, recovery usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks, while severe cases may last for 3 weeks or longer.
When newborns experience mild intestinal gas, parents can take some effective measures to help relieve their baby's discomfort. For example, properly burping the baby after feeding by holding the baby upright with their head resting on the parent's shoulder and gently patting the baby's back from bottom to top using a cupped hand can help expel swallowed air and reduce gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract. Adjusting the feeding posture is also important—ensuring that the baby's mouth fully covers the nipple or bottle during feeding helps prevent excessive air intake. With these measures, intestinal gas typically resolves within 1 to 2 weeks as the baby's digestive system naturally develops and gastrointestinal function gradually improves.
In severe cases of intestinal gas, the baby's abdomen will appear visibly distended and feel hard to the touch. The baby may cry frequently and be difficult to soothe. Additional symptoms may include spitting up, diarrhea, or constipation, and in some cases, other gastrointestinal disorders may also develop. The treatment and recovery process for these cases is relatively longer, potentially lasting 3 weeks or more. During recovery, besides treating the underlying cause, attention should also be given to the baby's daily care to help restore intestinal function as soon as possible.
Parents can also perform gentle exercises, such as bicycle kicks or leg movements, to help newborns expel gas. Close observation of the baby's condition is important, and if any abnormalities occur, timely medical attention should be sought.