Can I give my baby ginger ale?

Ginger ale is a carbonated soda flavored with ginger root. Ginger is a southeast Asian plant. The root of Ginger is used to help treat nausea, prevent stomach ulcers, and fight fungal infections, among other beneficial things. With that said, you may wonder, can I give my baby ginger ale? Even though it’s been said that ginger ale is good for a sour stomach, it has entirely too much sugar (high fructose corn syrup) in it, which is not good for your baby. Some people think watering down ginger ale will make it alright for their baby to have. However, even with the added water, there is still too much sugar content, and in the end, this is not beneficial to your baby. Below are nine ways to help your baby’s stomach issues that do not involve the consumption of ginger ale.

Be careful!

If you are still breastfeeding your baby, it is imperative to be careful with what you eat and what you drink. Everything you consume, your baby will be consuming. If you eat something spicy or something that bloats you and gives you gas, then guess what? Your baby may get an upset stomach after nursing! Many informational websites can help you find the best diet to follow. They will show you which foods to avoid while breastfeeding so that you and your baby are both happy campers!

There are many types of formulas and many different brands. It may take trying a few different ones to find the one that is best for your baby. Sometimes it’s a milk issue, and you may have to choose a soy-based formula or a formula with less lactose. Your best option would be to discuss this with your baby’s pediatrician as they can refer you to the best options possible and help you with the changing process to avoid upsetting your baby’s stomach even further.

Try burping instead.

It just might be trapped gas or air, causing your baby’s stomach pain. Many times, that’s all it is, and we just don’t realize it! Try to burp baby halfway through feeding; that way, trapped gas is released before more occurs. Burp your baby by resting he or her over your shoulder and patting the back to release the gas. Another popular way that seems to help is to lay your baby’s stomach down on your lap and pat the back until you get a good burp.

Try a Tummy Massage

Who doesn’t like a good tummy massage? A tummy massage may help discomfort caused by gas, colic, and constipation. It can help work gas out and release built-up pressure. Try laying your baby on his or her back and gently massage their stomach until the gas is released. This will not only help move gas but will also relax your baby in the process.

Give Your Baby a Warm Bath

Relaxation can do a world of wonder. Babies get tense just like we do. Give your baby a warm bath and wash with a nice lavender-based baby approved soap. The warm water and relaxation might be the trick you need to relax your baby’s stomach and create a calm feeling.

Bicycle Legs

Applying light pressure to the stomach in the form of bicycle legs may help push that unwanted gas out. Lay your baby on his or her back and move the legs in a bicycle-type motion. As you do, this pressure may release and ease your baby’s stomach pain. This also allows your baby’s legs to stretch, which helps with relaxation.

Don’t Overfeed

Overfeeding your baby can cause stomach discomfort. Too much breast milk or formula can cause problems with digestion, which can create stomach pain. Also, when your baby eats too much, they may accidentally gulp air, which creates gas. Gas is one of the most common causes of stomach discomfort in babies. A good indication that your baby is getting full is they will start to have longer pauses in between sucking. An ultimate sign that your baby is full is they will turn away from the breast or bottle when offered.

Offer a Pacifier to Soothe and Distract

Once you’ve exhausted all of the above, try offering a pacifier. If anything, the pacifier may help soothe your baby until the stomach discomfort subsides. A pacifier also offers a brief distraction that may help your baby focus on that rather than the stomach pain they are experiencing. It may not get rid of the gas, but the comfort it provides will help calm your baby, which may just relax your baby enough for the gas to pass.

Visit Your Pediatrician

Sometimes stomach discomfort is a matter of a medical condition and needs to be treated. When you feel like you have tried everything possible to prevent or relieve stomach discomfort in your baby and nothing seems to be working, then it very well could be a larger issue. Conditions such as reflux can cause stomach discomfort and vomiting. Most of the time, your baby will grow out of reflux, but on occasion, treatment is needed. Viruses and infections can also cause stomach issues in infants and may be accompanied by a fever. If that is the case, you should take your baby to the doctor right away.

Will feeding your baby ginger ale impact his sleep schedule?

Absolutely! Feeding your baby ginger ale can have an impact on his sleep schedule. But, unfortunately, many parents feed their baby ginger ale without even considering that it may totally impact your baby for days to come.

Your baby’s diet will impact their sleep quality. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use this specific baby sleep schedule on nights your baby consumes ginger ale.

Can ginger ale cause your baby to have nightmares?

Some parents believe that the ingredients in ginger ale may cause your baby to have nightmares. You might be just as surprised as us to learn how much ginger ale impacts your baby’s sleep. However, there are ways to check if the ginger agle ingredients are impacting your baby’s sleep. Check out that link to learn about the powerful impact ginger ale has on your baby’s sleep schedule.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to the question, can my baby have ginger ale, is a big fat NO. There are so many other healthy and natural ways to soothe your baby’s stomach issues without adding unnecessary sugar and carbonation to the mix. A good rule of thumb is always to try the most natural method without any additives when it comes to a baby. A baby’s digestive system is new and needs time to adjust. As they grow older new foods and drinks can be slowly introduced. The above tips are just a few of the many natural ways to ease stomach discomfort for your baby.