If you're a new parent you’re probably tuning in to every little sound your baby makes. From gas to grunts to gurgles, baby digestion is full of strange noises and behaviors that can leave you wondering: Is this normal?
Good news: most of the time, it is. At Northwest Family Clinics, we help parents just like you understand the ins and outs of infant digestion so you can feel confident—and know when it’s time to check in.
Why Is My Baby So Gassy?
Babies have immature digestive systems, which means gas is extremely common—especially in the first few months. It can come from:
- Swallowed air during breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Crying or sucking on a pacifier
- Normal breakdown of milk or formula in the gut
Signs of gas in babies include:
- Fussiness after feeding
- Pulling knees to chest
- Frequent toots (yep, we said it!)
- A bloated or firm belly
How to relieve baby gas:
- Burp during and after feeds
- Use tummy time to release air
- Bicycle their legs gently
- Hold your baby upright after feeding
What’s with the Grunting?
Newborn grunting is a common concern we hear at our family clinics in the Minneapolis area. One explanation? A normal condition called infant dyschezia—where babies are still learning how to coordinate their abdominal muscles with their pelvic floor.
Grunting while trying to poop doesn’t usually mean your baby is constipated or in distress. This often improves on its own by 3–4 months of age.
Contact your provider if grunting is paired with:
- Difficulty feeding or poor weight gain
- A hard or distended belly
- Constipation or extremely hard stools
What Are All These Gurgling Sounds?
Gurgles, rumbles, and belly sounds are a normal part of digestion. Your baby’s gut is learning how to move milk through efficiently, and sometimes that creates a little symphony in there.
Belly sounds are usually nothing to worry about unless they’re paired with:
- Frequent vomiting
- Feeding difficulty
- Crying after meals
- Significant spit-up or reflux symptoms
If you're concerned about reflux or food intolerances, our pediatric providers at Northwest Family Clinics can help.
Baby Poop: What’s Normal?
Whether you’re in Plymouth or Rogers or Crystal, if you're parenting a baby—you’re tracking poop. Normal varies from baby to baby, but here’s a quick breakdown:
Breastfed babies:
- Yellow, seedy stools
- Frequent and runny
Formula-fed babies:
- Thicker, tan or green stools
- Less frequent
Poop changes to watch for:
- Green and frothy (might indicate too much foremilk, which is low in fat and higher in lactose/sugar; hindmilk looks more yellow-white and has a higher fat content)
- Blood in stool (contact your doctor)
- Mucus (okay occasionally, not daily)
When Should I Worry About My Baby’s Digestion?
Most baby digestion concerns don’t require emergency care. But reach out to your family doctor if your baby:
- Cries inconsolably for long stretches
- Has projectile vomiting
- Has a distended, hard stomach
- Isn’t gaining weight as expected
- Goes several days without pooping AND seems uncomfortable
- Has poop with blood or black color (not meconium)
At Northwest Family Clinics, we welcome these questions—and always prefer parents call rather than worry. You know your baby best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Digestion
Is it normal for my newborn to grunt while pooping?
Yes, grunting is common in young babies, especially in the first few months. It’s usually a sign that your baby is learning how to coordinate their abdominal muscles to pass stool. If your baby is gaining weight, eating well, and seems content between poops, there’s usually no cause for concern.
How can I tell if my baby is constipated?
Signs of constipation in babies may include infrequent poops (less than 3 per week in formula-fed babies), hard or pellet-like stools, and signs of straining or discomfort. Breastfed babies can go several days without pooping and still be normal—especially after 4 to 6 weeks. If you're unsure, contact your provider.
When should I worry about my baby’s gas?
Gas is normal in babies, but you should contact your doctor if it’s accompanied by:
- Inconsolable crying
- Poor feeding
- A hard, swollen belly
- Trouble gaining weight
Most of the time, gas can be managed with burping, tummy time, or bicycle leg movements.
Are loud belly gurgles normal in infants?
Yes. Gurgling and rumbling stomach noises are typically a normal part of digestion. Your baby’s gastrointestinal system is still developing, and those sounds are a sign that things are moving through the intestines. If gurgles are paired with discomfort, vomiting, or poor feeding, it’s worth checking in.
What does normal baby poop look like?
It depends on what your baby eats:
- Breastfed babies: Yellow, seedy, and runny stool
- Formula-fed babies: Thicker, tan, brown, or green stool
Stool that is black (after the first few days), bloody, or extremely pale may indicate a problem. Call your provider if you notice these changes.
Can reflux or spit-up affect digestion?
Mild spit-up is common and typically harmless. It usually peaks at 4 months and improves as your baby matures. Frequent spit-up that’s forceful, causes pain, or interferes with feeding may be a sign of reflux or food sensitivity and should be discussed with your provider.
A Quick Note for Our Minnesota Families
If you live in or near Crystal, Plymouth, or Rogers, Minnesota, and you’re looking for a family doctor who takes the time to walk you through newborn care—we’d love to meet you. From baby digestion and gas relief to developmental milestones and sleep concerns, we’re here to help your child (and you!) thrive.
Let’s Keep Things Moving—Together
Those grunts, toots, and rumbles may seem strange at first—but most are part of the amazing, messy, and completely normal process of baby digestion.
At Northwest Family Clinics, we support families through every stage of growth. Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, we’ll walk with you—through each feeding, poop, and well-child visit.
Need a pediatrician or have questions about your baby’s digestion? We’re accepting new patients in Rogers, Crystal, and Plymouth, MN. Contact us today to schedule a visit with one of our trusted family medicine doctors.
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