The Frida Windi is a small, hollow catheter designed to help release trapped gas from a fussy baby’s belly. You insert the lubricated tip into your baby’s rectum, and within seconds, gas passes through the tube (often with an audible whistle). The entire process takes under a minute, but a little preparation makes it work much better.
Before You Insert: The Belly Massage
The massage step is easy to skip when your baby is screaming, but it’s the part that actually moves gas down toward the exit. Without it, the Windi may not reach gas that’s still trapped higher in the intestines.
Lay your baby on their back and use gentle, firm pressure to massage one side of the belly downward toward the diaper area. Repeat three times on that side, then switch to the other side and repeat three more times. You’re essentially guiding gas bubbles in the right direction.
A more thorough version is the “I Love You” technique used by pediatric therapists. With your baby facing you, trace a vertical line down the left side of their belly (your right) to form the letter “I.” Then trace an upside-down “L” going from your left across and down. Finally, trace an upside-down “U” starting from your left, going down, across the bottom, and up the other side. The purpose of these strokes is to follow the natural path of the intestines and push gas and stool toward the bowel. You can say “I love you” as you trace each letter, which is a nice bonus when everyone in the room needs calming down.
Step-by-Step Insertion
Once you’ve done the massage, here’s the full sequence:
- Lubricate the tip. Coat the end of the Windi with coconut oil, baby oil, or any lubricant you have on hand. This matters for comfort and safe insertion.
- Lift your baby’s legs. Gently push their knees toward their chest, the same position you’d use for a diaper change. Have a clean diaper underneath them already. The manufacturer’s advice here is blunt: “it could get messy.” Gas often brings stool with it.
- Insert gently. Slide the Windi tip into the rectum. The catheter has a stopper built into the design so it can’t go in too far. You don’t need to push hard or force anything.
- Listen. Within a few seconds, you should hear gas escaping through the hollow tube. It often sounds like a small whistle.
- Remove and discard. Pull the Windi out and throw it away. Each catheter is single use only. Reusing the same one poses an infection risk.
If nothing happens within a few seconds, don’t leave the catheter in place. Remove it, repeat the belly massage, and try again with the same Windi. You can reinsert the same catheter during a single session, but once that session is done, toss it.
How Many Times a Day Is Safe
The manufacturer caps use at three times per 24-hour period. That means three separate sessions, not three insertions within one session. If you’re finding yourself reaching for the Windi more than three times a day regularly, that’s worth a conversation with your pediatrician about what’s driving the gas in the first place.
There’s no official minimum age or weight requirement from Frida. The company’s own response to parents asking about newborns or toddlers is to check with your doctor for a personalized recommendation. Most parents use the Windi during the peak fussy months, roughly from the newborn stage through about six months, when digestive systems are still maturing.
Why It Works
Babies often struggle to pass gas on their own because they haven’t yet learned to coordinate the muscles involved, particularly the anal sphincter. The Windi bypasses that coordination problem entirely. The tube creates a direct path for gas to escape without requiring the baby to relax the right muscles at the right time. Think of it like opening a valve. Once the path is clear, trapped air finds its way out almost immediately.
Safety Considerations
The Windi is a form of rectal stimulation, and that category of intervention carries some inherent risks worth knowing about. A 2025 review published in the National Library of Medicine identified plausible risks of rectal stimulation in newborns, including mucosal injury, rectal bleeding, infection, and pain or stress. The review recommended that healthcare professionals avoid promoting rectal stimulation as a routine practice, particularly in the home setting, until more safety data is available.
That doesn’t mean the Windi is dangerous when used occasionally and gently. It does mean this isn’t something to treat as a reflexive fix for every fussy moment. The key safety rules are straightforward: always lubricate, never force the catheter, never leave it inserted in the rectum, always use a fresh one for each session, and stay within the three-times-per-day limit. If you notice any bleeding or your baby seems to be in more distress after use rather than less, stop using it.
Tips That Make It Easier
Timing helps. Many parents find the Windi works best when their baby is already showing signs of gas discomfort: a hard, distended belly, legs pulling up, red-faced straining. Using it proactively on a calm baby who isn’t gassy won’t accomplish much.
Warming your hands before the belly massage can help your baby relax. Cold hands on a bare stomach tend to make babies tense up, which works against what you’re trying to do. Some parents also find that doing bicycle legs (gently cycling the baby’s legs as if pedaling) for 30 seconds before the massage helps get things moving.
Keep a diaper open and ready underneath your baby before you insert the Windi. The release of gas frequently triggers a bowel movement at the same time, and it can happen fast. A towel under the diaper isn’t a bad idea either, especially in the early days when you’re still getting the hang of the process.