Best Drinks for Gas in Kids

Partly: For a child old enough to drink water, plain, still water is a sensible choice when gas is mild because it hydrates without adding bubbles that can increase burping, but it does not treat gas directly. There is no established evidence that a particular drink reliably relieves gas in children. For a broader overview, see the best drinks for gas.

What are the best drinks for gas in kids?

The safest choice depends on the child’s age and usual feeding routine. These drinks support normal hydration or nutrition; none is a proven cure for gas.

Plain water

For a child old enough to drink it, plain, still water is a practical first choice. It contains no carbonation, lactose or added sweeteners that might contribute to gas in some children.

Offer water with meals and between meals as part of the child’s normal routine. There is no need to make a child drink extra water to try to push gas out. Drinking more than they need is not a proven treatment.

Breast milk or properly prepared infant formula

For a baby under 6 months old, breast milk or infant formula remains the appropriate drink, including when the baby has gas. Do not give extra water unless the baby’s clinician advises it.

A baby can swallow air during feeding, and passing gas can be normal. Follow formula preparation instructions exactly: Adding extra water or making formula more concentrated is unsafe. Talk to the baby’s clinician before changing formula because of gas.

Lactose-free milk when lactose is the issue

For a child who normally drinks milk and has diagnosed lactose intolerance, lactose-free milk may help avoid gas caused by lactose while still providing the nutrients in milk. This is relevant only when lactose is contributing to symptoms; it is not a general treatment for gas.

Ask a pediatrician before making a lasting change to a young child’s diet. Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy, and lactose-free cow’s milk is not suitable for a child with a cow’s milk protein allergy.

Oral rehydration solution when advised

If gas occurs alongside vomiting or diarrhea, a clinician may recommend an oral rehydration solution to replace fluid and salts. It is not a treatment for gas itself. Ask the child’s clinician which product to use and follow its instructions; seek medical help promptly if the child cannot keep fluids down or shows signs of dehydration.

Why might some drinks make gas better or worse?

Gas can come from swallowed air or from the breakdown of food and drink in the digestive tract. An occasional burp or passing gas does not by itself mean that a child has an intolerance or needs a special drink.

A drink does not have to cause symptoms every time to be worth considering. If symptoms seem to follow a particular drink, note what the child had, approximately when they had it and what symptoms followed. A pattern can help a clinician assess the problem, but it does not establish a diagnosis.

Drink or ingredient	Why it matters for gas
Carbonated water and soda	Bubbles add gas to the stomach and can increase burping or a bloated feeling. Plain, still water avoids the bubbles.
Fruit juice	Some sugars in juice may be poorly absorbed and contribute to gas or loose stools in some children. Juice is not needed as a gas remedy.
Milk containing lactose	Lactose can produce gas when a child has difficulty digesting it. Many children tolerate milk without a problem.
Drinks with sugar alcohols	Sweeteners such as sorbitol can contribute to gas and diarrhea in some people. Check the ingredient list if a drink appears to cause symptoms.
Herbal teas and concentrated extracts	They are not established treatments for gas in children, and products can vary in ingredients and strength.

Do not give juice to babies under 12 months old. For older children, if juice seems to worsen gas, offer plain water instead and discuss recurring symptoms with a clinician rather than relying on juice as a remedy.

Herbal teas, concentrated ginger or fennel products, and drinks marketed for detox are not established gas treatments for kids. Do not give herbal products to a baby, and check with a pediatrician before giving a child an herbal preparation. Some products may contain caffeine or other ingredients that are unsuitable for children.

A child may also swallow air when drinking quickly. Encourage a comfortable pace without forcing sips or making feeding stressful. If a baby consistently seems uncomfortable during feeds, ask the clinician to review feeding rather than assuming that a particular drink will solve the problem.

Gas can occur for reasons unrelated to what a child drinks. If changing a drink does not help, repeatedly removing foods or drinks without advice may make the child’s diet unnecessarily restrictive. A clinician can help assess a recurring pattern and suggest any changes that are appropriate for the child’s age.

How much is safe for a child to drink?

There is no recommended extra amount of water to treat gas. Fluid needs vary with age, activity, weather and health, so the aim is normal hydration rather than a gas-specific target.

Age	Practical guidance
Under 6 months	Give breast milk or properly prepared infant formula. Give water only if the baby’s clinician advises it.
6–12 months	Small amounts of water may be offered when a baby has started solid foods. Breast milk or formula remains an important source of nutrition.
Older children	Offer plain water regularly as part of the child’s usual routine, including with meals and between meals.

For babies who have started solids, water can be offered in an age-appropriate cup. Do not use it to replace breast milk or formula feeds. If you are unsure how much to offer, or water seems to be replacing feeds, ask the baby’s clinician.

For older children, offer water without insisting that they finish a set amount to relieve gas. If a child is ill, exercising heavily or exposed to hot weather, their fluid needs may differ from their usual routine. Ask a clinician for advice if you are concerned that they are not drinking enough.

A child with kidney disease, heart disease or another condition affecting fluid needs may have specific instructions. Follow their care team’s guidance rather than increasing fluids to address gas. The same applies if a prescribed medicine affects the child’s fluid needs; do not stop or change it without medical advice.

When should you talk to a doctor about gas?

Seek emergency care now if a child has severe or worsening abdominal pain, a hard or markedly swollen belly, green or bloody vomit, blood in the stool, difficulty breathing, or is very sleepy, limp or hard to wake. These signs should not be assumed to be ordinary gas.

A baby under 3 months old with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs immediate medical assessment. Contact the baby’s clinician immediately; seek emergency care if the clinician cannot assess the baby promptly.

Contact a clinician promptly if a child cannot keep fluids down or has signs of dehydration, such as much less urine or fewer wet diapers than usual, a dry mouth, or few tears when crying. Babies can become dehydrated quickly, so do not wait for a drink marketed for gas to work.

Arrange a medical visit if gas keeps returning, causes significant discomfort, disrupts sleep or feeding, or occurs with ongoing diarrhea, constipation, poor weight gain or vomiting. A clinician can assess possible causes and help decide whether a feeding or dietary change is appropriate.

Tell the clinician about recent changes in drinks and any medicines or supplements the child takes. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice, and do not give an infant a new formula or herbal product solely to treat gas without checking first.