Gas is common in babies, especially during the first few months. A gassy baby might squirm, grunt, pull their knees towards their tummy, arch their back or become unsettled during or after a feed.
Gentle movement and touch may help some babies relax and make it easier for swallowed air to move. Baby massage is not a guaranteed cure for crying, colic or digestive discomfort, but techniques such as tummy circles and bicycle legs can be soothing and are simple to try at home.
👶 Quick Answer: Baby Massage for Gas
To massage a baby for gas, wait until they are calm and between feeds. Use very light clockwise tummy circles, slow bicycle-leg movements and gently bring their knees towards their tummy. Stop if your baby stiffens, cries or appears uncomfortable.
The goal is never to force gas out. Keep the routine brief, use a soft touch and follow your baby’s cues.
Table of Contents
Why Do Babies Get Gas?
Babies can swallow air while feeding, sucking or crying. That air may come back up as a burp or travel through the digestive system and pass as wind.
Bottle-fed babies may take in extra air when the teat flow is too fast or slow, the teat is not kept full of milk or their feeding position makes it difficult to suck comfortably. Breastfed babies may also swallow air if they repeatedly come off the breast or struggle to attach well.
Some babies burp and pass wind easily. Others may need more time, an upright burping break or gentle movement.
It is also important not to assume that every cry is caused by trapped gas. Babies may become unsettled because they are hungry, tired, overstimulated, too hot or cold, or simply need reassurance. Reflux, constipation and illness can sometimes cause similar behaviour.
Can Baby Massage Help With Gas?
Bicycle-leg movements, supervised tummy time and gentle baby belly massage are commonly used as comfort measures for babies who appear gassy.
Gentle touch may help your baby relax, while slow leg movements may make it easier for swallowed air to move through the digestive system. However, these techniques will not work every time.
Infant abdominal massage should be treated as a soothing routine rather than a medical treatment. It cannot diagnose the reason for persistent crying or treat an underlying health condition.
Australian baby-massage guidance recommends gentle clockwise strokes when a baby’s abdomen feels soft. It also emphasises stopping or changing the activity if the baby becomes unsettled.
Before You Massage Your Baby
Choose a time when your baby is awake, reasonably calm and medically well. They should not be extremely hungry, overtired or immediately following a large feed.
Place your baby on a soft blanket or changing mat on the floor. Avoid raised surfaces where they could unexpectedly roll or fall.
Before you begin:
- Warm your hands and remove rings, watches or bracelets.
- Keep your fingernails short.
- Avoid the belly button until the umbilical area has fully healed.
- Use only a small amount of plain, fragrance-free baby product if lubrication is needed.
- Begin with one technique for a minute or two rather than attempting a long routine.
You do not need massage oil for baby massage for gas. Light movements can usually be performed over a thin layer of clothing or directly on the skin using clean, warm hands.
Unsure whether your baby is ready? Read our guide on when to start baby massage after birth for age, timing and safety guidance.
👐 5 Gentle Baby Massage Techniques for Gas
1. Clockwise Baby Tummy Massage for Gas
Lay your baby comfortably on their back.
Place the flat pads of two or three fingers on the tummy, away from the belly button. Slowly move your fingers in gentle clockwise circles.
Use very light pressure. The skin may move slightly beneath your fingers, but your baby’s abdomen should not visibly indent.
Complete approximately five slow circles, then pause and watch your baby’s response. Continue for another few circles only if they remain relaxed.
Stop immediately if your baby’s tummy feels hard, swollen or painful, or if your baby cries, stiffens or arches away.
2. Bicycle Legs for Baby Gas
With your baby lying on their back, gently hold their lower legs or ankles.
Slowly bend one leg towards the tummy while extending the other, as though your baby is pedalling a bicycle. Alternate the legs using smooth, controlled movements.
Do not push the knees firmly into the abdomen or straighten the legs beyond their natural range.
Try six to ten slow movements, then pause. Some babies may pass wind during or after bicycle legs, although this will not happen every time.
3. Knees Gently Towards the Tummy
Hold your baby’s legs just below the knees.
Slowly bend both knees and guide them towards the tummy without forcing them. Hold for one or two seconds, then release the legs into a comfortable position.
Repeat this movement three to five times.
You can alternate knees-to-tummy movements with bicycle legs, provided your baby remains calm and comfortable.
Avoid this technique if your baby has a hip condition, recently had surgery or has been advised to limit leg movement.
4. Take an Upright Burping Break
If your baby becomes unsettled during or shortly after a feed, an upright burping position may be more helpful than tummy massage.
Support your baby’s head and neck and hold them upright against your shoulder. Keep their back and tummy relatively straight rather than tightly curled. Gently rub or pat their back for a couple of minutes.
You can also sit your baby on your lap while supporting their chest, chin and jaw. Lean them slightly forwards and gently rub their back without placing pressure on the throat.
If your baby does not burp but appears comfortable, you do not need to keep trying.
5. Calming Chest-to-Tummy Strokes
Place one open hand gently on your baby’s upper chest.
Slowly glide your hand down towards the tummy, stopping above the nappy line. Use a light, soothing touch rather than firm pressure.
Repeat the movement three or four times. You can then rest your warm hand quietly on your baby’s tummy for several seconds.
These strokes may not directly move gas, but they can help your baby relax and become comfortable with gentle touch.
How Much Pressure Should You Use?
Baby massage should feel gentle without being so light that it becomes ticklish.
Use enough contact for your hand to glide smoothly across the skin, but never press deeply into the abdomen. Your baby’s tummy should not visibly sink beneath your fingers.
Your baby may be comfortable if their hands and feet remain relaxed, they look towards you, make quiet sounds or settle into your touch.
Stop the massage if your baby cries, stiffens their arms or legs, arches their back, repeatedly turns away or pushes your hand aside. You should also stop if they appear painful, unusually sleepy or change colour.
Stopping does not mean you have done anything wrong. Your baby may simply be hungry, tired, overstimulated or not interested in massage at that moment.
⏰ When Is the Best Time for Baby Massage for Gas?
The best time is usually when your baby is awake, calm and between feeds.
You might try the routine after a nappy change, following a warm bath or during a calm period of wakefulness. It can also be performed before a feed, provided your baby is not overly hungry.
Avoid tummy massage immediately after a full feed. Moving or pressing the abdomen at that time may increase discomfort or cause your baby to spit up.
If your baby becomes unsettled while feeding, try an upright burping break first. Save tummy circles and bicycle legs for later, when your baby is comfortable lying down.
How Long Should Baby Massage Last?
Start with approximately two or three minutes.
Perform one technique, pause and see how your baby responds before continuing. There is no need to complete every step or continue until your baby passes wind.
Your baby’s cues are more important than the clock. Finishing while they are still calm can help keep massage a positive and reassuring experience.
Baby Gas, Colic, Reflux or Constipation?
These issues can look similar, but they are not the same.
Normal wind
A baby with normal wind may burp, pass gas, grunt or briefly pull their legs upwards. They generally feed and grow normally and appear content between unsettled periods.
Colic
Colic describes repeated, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby. It often begins during the first few weeks and usually improves by around three or four months.
Massage, burping and calming routines may soothe some babies with colic, but massage does not cure the condition.
Reflux
Reflux occurs when milk comes back up during or shortly after feeding. It is common and usually improves as a baby grows.
Speak with a healthcare professional if your baby refuses feeds, appears very distressed or is not gaining weight as expected.
Constipation
Constipation usually involves passing firm, dry stools or having difficulty passing them. Grunting and straining while passing soft stools do not necessarily mean a baby is constipated.
For more targeted guidance, read our article on baby massage for constipation.
Other Gentle Ways to Help a Gassy Baby
Massage can be combined with a few other gentle comfort measures.
Some babies benefit from a short burping break during a feed, while others are comfortable waiting until afterwards. Supporting your baby in a more upright feeding position may also reduce the amount of air they swallow.
For bottle-fed babies, check that the teat flow is appropriate. A flow that is too fast may cause gulping, while a flow that is too slow can lead to harder sucking and additional swallowed air.
Supervised tummy time may provide gentle abdominal pressure while supporting your baby’s head, neck and upper-body development. Tummy time should only take place while your baby is awake and continuously supervised. Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
A calm environment can also help. Quiet voices, dim lighting and slow movements may soothe a baby who is tired or overstimulated.
A child and family health nurse, lactation consultant or healthcare professional can help if you are concerned about feeding technique or frequent discomfort.
When Not to Massage Your Baby’s Tummy
Do not perform tummy massage when your baby:
- Has just had a large feed.
- Has a hard, swollen or tender abdomen.
- Has repeated or forceful vomiting.
- Has a fever or appears unwell.
- Has recently had abdominal surgery.
- Has an unhealed umbilical area.
- Cries when their abdomen is touched.
- Has a condition for which massage has not been approved.
Ask your doctor, paediatrician or child and family health nurse before beginning massage if your baby was born prematurely or has ongoing medical needs.
🚩 When to Seek Medical Advice
Normal infant wind is usually harmless, but persistent or unusual distress should not automatically be blamed on gas.
Seek urgent medical care if your baby:
- Has difficulty breathing.
- Is weak, floppy or difficult to wake.
- Has green vomit.
- Has blood in their vomit or stool.
- Has repeated forceful vomiting.
- Has a swollen or very painful abdomen.
- Refuses feeds or drinks much less than usual.
- Has noticeably fewer wet nappies.
- Cannot be comforted.
- Looks or behaves unusually.
- Has a fever, especially when younger than three months.
Trust your instincts. Contact a healthcare professional whenever you are concerned, even if your baby does not have every symptom listed above.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can you massage a newborn for gas?
Gentle touch may be suitable for many healthy newborns, but use almost no pressure and avoid the healing umbilical area.
Ask your healthcare professional first if your baby was premature or has medical concerns. You may also find our guide on when to start baby massage after birth helpful.
Which direction should you massage a baby’s tummy?
Use gentle clockwise circles when the tummy feels soft. Stop if your baby becomes unsettled or the abdomen feels hard or painful.
How long should I do bicycle legs?
Begin with six to ten slow movements. Pause sooner if your baby resists or becomes upset.
There is no need to continue until your baby passes wind.
How soon after feeding can I massage my baby’s tummy?
Wait until your baby is comfortable and the feed has settled.
There is no fixed number of minutes that suits every baby. Avoid abdominal massage immediately after a large feed and use upright burping instead.
Can massage make gas worse?
Gentle massage should not cause pain.
Deep pressure, forceful leg movements or massaging immediately after a full feed may make your baby more uncomfortable.
Does baby massage help colic?
Massage may soothe some babies, but it does not cure colic.
Speak with a healthcare professional if your baby’s crying is persistent, unusual or difficult to manage
Gentle Comfort Rather Than a Guaranteed Fix
Baby massage for gas can be a calming way to offer comfort and connection.
Clockwise tummy circles, bicycle legs, knees-to-tummy movements, upright burping and soothing strokes may help some babies relax or pass swallowed air.
Keep the routine gentle and brief. You do not need to force gas out or continue until your baby burps.
Stop whenever your baby appears uncomfortable, and contact your doctor, paediatrician or child and family health nurse if symptoms are persistent or concerning.
👶 Baby Massage Guides
- When to Start Baby Massage After Birth
- Baby Massage for Constipation Relief
- Simple Baby Massage Tips for a Cough
📚References
- Healthline: Your Guide to Baby Massage How to Massage Your Baby for Gas Relief
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Gas Relief for Babies. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 7 January 2025. Covers bicycle-leg movements, tummy time and realistic expectations around infant gas.
- Raising Children Network. Baby Massage Guide in Pictures. Updated 21 January 2026. Covers gentle clockwise tummy strokes, avoiding the unhealed umbilical area and following your baby’s cues.
- NHS. Burping Your Baby. Covers safe burping positions, supporting the head and neck, and gently rubbing or patting the back.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with your GP, paediatrician, child and family health nurse or another qualified healthcare professional if you have concerns about your baby. Stop the massage if your baby appears uncomfortable or unwell, and seek urgent medical care for serious or worsening symptoms.
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