When To Speak With A Doctor
While most baby gas cases are fairly harmless, there are times when you should seek professional help.
If your baby exhibits excessive crying, has long crying bouts three or more times per day, or just recently began crying after reaching their first month, contact your pediatrician.
Also call the doctor or seek medical help if your little one isnt eating, peeing, or having regular bowel movements.
When Should You Worry
Most of the time, infant gas is normal and treatable. But in rare cases, it can be the first sign of a more serious digestive problem, says Jenna Faircloth, PharmD, of Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Ohio. Contact the doctor right away if your baby:
- Does not poop, has bloody stools, or vomits.
- Is very fussy. If you cant get them to calm down, a doctor needs to check for a problem.
- Has a fever. If they have a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher, a doctor needs to rule out infection. If they are under 3 months of age, take them to the doctor right away.
What Causes Upper Stomach Pain
The answer to your question about upper stomach pain is impossible without knowing the origin of your pain. Your health is not a matter of assumptions.
Answering such questions is impossible without knowing you, the disease or condition causing upper stomach pain, your age, your co-existing diseases, and your current medications.
If you already know the disease-causing upper stomach pain, jump to the section below describing your disease. If you are not sure, consult your doctor to get a diagnosis.
Common causes of upper stomach pain include:
- Gastritis: the inflammation of your gastric lining due to infection .
- Peptic ulcer disease : PUD is ulceration in the wall of your stomach or duodenum. It is often a consequence of chronic gastritis (NSAIDs use or H. pylori infection.
- Gallbladder conditions such as gallstone disease, acute cholecystitis, and chronic cholecystitis cause upper stomach pain .
- Functional dyspepsia: recurrent discomfort or pain in the upper stomach area after eating. It is also called .
- Irritable bowel syndrome : a common functional bowel disease with recurrent stomach pain. However, IBS rarely causes isolated upper stomach pain. Instead, it tends to cause generalized or lower abdominal pain. However, Because of its high prevalence, we should consider it a cause of upper stomach pain.
- Other less frequent causes of upper stomach pain include acute and chronic pancreatitis, coronary heart disease, acute hepatitis, liver cancer, stomach cancer, IBD, etc.
Don’t Miss: How To Fix Stomach Pain
Bicycle Baby’s Legs To Remove Gas
Another external technique to try is baby leg exercises. “Maneuvers you can do to help them pass gas include bending the legs and bringing knees to tummy, and bicycling the baby’s legs,” says Kim Alt, M.D., a pediatrician at Rockford Pediatrics in Rockford, Michigan.
There Are Many Reasons Why Babies Get Gassy
They could be feeding in an awkward position, eating too fast, eating too much, ingesting too much lactose , swallowing air from a baby bottle, or they could have a slight intolerance to proteins found in breast milk. Remember, your babys digestive system is still developing too. Her intestines are still forming the micro flora she needs to effectively digest foods, even after shes born.
Other things that can cause gas include normal baby stuff like crying, sucking on a pacifier or simply getting the hiccups. Anything that causes baby to swallow excess air can trigger gas.
When you know what to look for, its not hard to tell if shes in discomfort due to gas. Babies will do involuntary things like grunt or strain. Sometimes they cry out or clench up their bodies. If your baby is happy one minute and crying the next for no apparent reason it could be gas pain.
Other tricks mamas use to figure out if baby has gas is listening to her tummy you can actually hear her stomach gurgling! Or feel her tummy to see if its bloated, distended and hard.
If your detective skills lead your to believe your baby is having a bout with painful gas, here are 5 tricks that should help her feel better:
Read Also: What Causes Acid Build Up In The Stomach
Food Nuts Or Milk Allergies
Younger babies also get stomach pain. This is because of the food that the mother ate. Mothers diet also can be a reason for stomach pain in babies. This is called food intolerance. Foods that cause an allergic response in babies include cows milk, eggs, nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and fish. Some kids are lactose intolerant which means their body cant digest milk easily. This creates loose stools and pain in stomach.
What Should You Do:
- If your baby has a stomach problem after eating a particular food then he has a food allergy.
- Talk to your paediatrician about this if you feel the child is fussy after a particular meal.
- If you are breastfeeding, watch for mothers diet and eliminate the product accordingly.
Keep Your Baby Upright
Let gravity do its thing by feeding at an angle. “Avoid feeding while the infant is lying down,” Dr. Loizides says. If you’re breastfeeding, try an upright football or laid-back hold. After your baby eats, don’t have them lie down right away. “It’s best to seat Baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure proper digestion,” Dr. Montague says.
Also Check: How To Stop Burning In Stomach
Treat Him With A Lot Of Affection Love And Calm
In the critical moment of intense pain when seeing the son or daughter suffering, some mothers and fathers are very stressed and nervous, which can influence the childs well-being.
With that, try to stay calm and hold him in your lap for as long as necessary or until you notice an improvement in the symptoms.
Singing songs, making cuddles and noises that please the child can also stimulate tranquility, since they will perceive the care and love, resulting in a feeling of care and cuddling.
During this time, it is also important that the person holding the child keep a calm and steady breath, as he will be leaning against the body, he will feel this stimulus and will also be calmer.
So, relax and if you cant keep your balance on your face and cant hide your nervousness, ask for help from someone else, avoiding stressful situations that can affect everyone.
Place A Bag Of Warm Water On The Babys Tummy
The warm temperature generally provides comfort and relief in colic situations. With this, when you notice irritated cries, among other main symptoms, place a bag of warm water on the childs abdomen.
This bag can be used by adults to treat muscle pain, wrapped in a towel or diaper. As well as, proper straps to treat this colic in newborns. However, it is important to know that the temperature must be slightly warm, remembering that the babys skin can be very sensitive to heat.
Leave the bag of warm water in the babys belly for approximately 15 minutes and gradually follow if this method causes comfort and pain relief. Repeat as necessary and merge with others.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Thing For Bloated Stomach
Perform Exercises With The Legs
During newborn stomach pain, a factor that bothers and also generates a lot of discomforts are the gases. They not only cause a lot of pain, but they also leave the babys tummy stiff and with the impression of swelling.
Therefore, a great tip is to perform exercises with the legs as bicycling and also folding sense and abdomen and returning in a repetitive way.
Over the course of a few minutes, it will be possible to realize that the baby will be more relieved and with less discomfort.
However, it is important to verify that when doing this method, the baby is feeling well and comfortable. If he is very reluctant to perform these exercises, look for another way to relieve and try to repeat this process at another time.
Burp Partway Through A Feeding
Taking frequent burping breaks while eating can help digestion. “Burping the bottle-fed baby at least every three to five minutes, or after every two to three ounces, will slow your baby’s gulping and reduce the amount of air she takes in,” Dr. Loizides says. “If she’s nursing, burp her when she switches breasts.”
Recommended Reading: Can You Lose Weight By Rubbing Your Stomach
Gas Prevention Methods For Babies
Bring on the Burps. Feeding time can come with a lot of crying, gulping, guzzling, and sucklingin other words, a lot of air, which eventually manifests itself in the form of a burp or gas. “And while relief from a burp might be more immediate, air that turns into gas has a longer journey through the intestinal tract first,” Dr. Shu says. Try being a little extra vigilant about burping your baby during and after a feeding to see if you can keep some of the gas at bay.
Settle Down. Bottle-fed babies can ingest a lot of bubbles. To combat this, tilt the bottle at an angle that fills the entire nipple with milk. “Otherwise your baby will suck in air,” Dr. Shu says. “More swallowed air means potentially more gas.” If you use powdered formula, let the bottle settle first before giving it to your baby. There’s lots of shaking going on and the bottle is often piled high with bubbles on top of the actual formula. Also consider using ready-made formula for gassy babies, as well as specially vented bottles that may reduce the amount of bubbles.
Adjust the Angle. “When feeding your baby, make sure her head is higher than her stomach,” Dr. Shu advises. You want to hold your baby in a position that allows the liquid to slowly sink to the bottom while the bubbles rise to the top. If you keep the bubbles closer to the surface, the naturaland easiestmeans of exit is a burp. Trapped bubbles will likely pass in the form of gas.
How To Help Your Baby Feel Better
Try these steps to prevent and ease the pain of gas:
Check feeding position. “When youre nursing or bottle-feeding, try to keep the babys head higher than her stomach,” Shu says. “That way, the milk sinks to the bottom of the stomach and air goes to the top, and its easier to burp out.” Tip the bottle up slightly so there are no air bubbles in the nipple, and use a nursing pillow for support.
Burp your baby. One of the easiest ways to ease gas pains is to burp them during and after they nurse. If they dont belch right away, lay them down on their back for a few minutes and then try again.
Change equipment. “If youre bottle-feeding, switch to a slower-flow nipple,” says Joel Lavine, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics at Columbia University.
Work it out. Gently massage your baby, pump their legs back and forth while they are on their back, or give their tummy time . A warm bath can also help them get rid of extra gas.
Continued
Take a closer look at foods. Talk with your baby’s doctor about foods that may give them extra gas. “Some parents give infants fruit juice, which contains sorbitols that the baby cant absorb,” Lavine says. The doctor will also make sure you dont cut out nutrients your baby needs.
Don’t Miss: Why Does My Stomach Stay So Bloated
Give Warm Baths To Relieve Colic In Newborns
Usually, in cases of pain and colic in newborns, warm baths are very helpful, as they leave you calmer and more relieved of discomfort. So, prepare your childs bathtub with water at a pleasant temperature.
Place it comfortably seated or reclined and, if possible, also create a relaxed environment with low light and calm music, as this can also stimulate pain relief.
In addition to bathing, many families also recommend the use of the hot tub for babies. Since the baby will have his legs folded in it, as well as leaning properly, it will also help to ease colic by releasing gases.
With this, check the best option and invest in warm baths, since they can stimulate several benefits, including those related to sleep.
What Causes Sharp Pains In The Stomach When Pregnant
Pregnant women may also experience stomach pains due to the preeclampsia. This disorder provokes changes in the blood vessels and cause spasms and if you happen to experience sharp pain in pregnancy it can be related to this condition. Miscarriage and preterm childbirth can also cause your stomach pains.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Too Much Acid In Stomach
Making Turmeric Cumin Fennel Seeds Coriander And Asafoetida A Part Of The Regular Diet Could Help In Improving The Overall Digestive Function
For reasons as varied as overfeeding in case of infants, overeating fried food, allergies to certain foods or lactose intolerance, your child may complain of a stomach ache. Also, this time of the year is called Pittaprakopakala in Ayurveda, which means children are more prone to digestive illnesses during this period due to seasonal changes and imbalanced Pitta or fire element. Easily available ingredients like cumin, turmeric, rock salt or asafoetida in your kitchen cabinet can help manage the symptoms of stomach more acute when there is accumulation of toxins , build immunity and also strengthen digestion. Gastric problems are in the body, due to irregular eating habits or stress, which is ubiquitous in the lives of children today.
Reports suggest as many as 24 per cent of children in India could be overweight. This is majorly due to increase in consumption of food high in salt, sugar and fat, which is more easily available to children. This has logically led to increased instances of stomach ache, diarrhoea, gas, constipation, cramps, acid reflux and other gastric issues among them. Ayurveda as a system of knowledge offers a plethora of home remedies, for gastric disorders as well.
- Overfeeding
- Fried, junk food
- Sensitivity or allergy to certain foods
- Lactose intolerance
- Gassy vegetables
- Worm infestation
- Irritable Bowel Disease
- Consumption of contaminated water, eating roadside food
- Pitta imbalance
Pitta imbalance
When To Rush The Baby To The Doctor
Home remedies can do wonders for most, but it always safe to know when to consult the doctor. Constipation should be addressed if it continues for more than three days. If the child is vomiting, has a fever, or is generally feeling worn out most of the time, it is better to consult the doctor. Other than this, I would say you trust your instincts. After all, a mother knows best!
Don’t Miss: Should You Take Probiotics On An Empty Stomach
How To Massage A Baby
Tips and techniques on how to massage your new baby.
Getting Started
Daily infant massage is a great way to bond with baby. What’s more, researchers are finding that massage may promote better sleeping, relieve colic, and perhaps even enhance an infant’s immune system, motor skills, and intellectual development. Here are some tips and techniques to help you along.
Use a blanket or towel, and massage oil in a non-breakable container. Start when your baby is in a quiet yet alert state — not immediately after a feeding or when she’s sleepy. Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet together, forming a diamond shape with your legs. Drape the blanket over your feet and between your knee.
Undress your baby down to her diaper and place her on the blanket, cradling her head on your feet. Start with a gentle “hello” stroke from baby’s head to her toes. If baby stiffens, cries, or becomes irritable, move to another body part or simply end the massage for the day. If she responds well, start gently massaging her body section by section.
How Much Thc To Cbd Is Recommended For Arthritis Pain Relief Baby Stomach Pain Relief
Does Doloten And Pericet Deliver The Same Pain Relief Pain Relief For Burns Chronic Uptodate Cervicalgia Chronic Bilateral Thoracic Back Pain Brainstem Cavernous Angioma Pain Relief. Chronic Abdominal Pain Duration Icy Feet Pair Left Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis And Foot Pain Icing Relief You Relief Lower Back Pain.
Read Also: How To Tighten Stomach Skin With Exercise
Chamomile Tea To Cure Stomach Pain
Chamomile tea is known to work as an anti-inflammatory along the digestive tract.
If your stomach pain is caused by gastritis or indigestion, a cup of chamomile can offer relief. It does this by relaxing muscles along the stomach and the esophagus, easing the contractions that push food along, and lessens any cramps or spasms you are experiencing.
- Place one teaspoon of dried chamomile in one cup of boiled water.
- Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain tea and add lemon or honey for taste.
- Drink up to three cups daily
Baby Massage For Colic
There is no single known cause of colic. While gas has been suggested as one of the possible causes, treatments aimed at reducing gas do not always lessen colic symptoms.
The Mayo Clinic suggests massage as a possible soothing method for colicky babies, but notes that no soothing method is guaranteed to help all babies or work every time.
Parents of a colicky baby should be prepared to rely on a wide range of soothing measures, and this may include baby massage if you so choose.
If you notice that your little ones burps include excessive spit-up or projectile vomit, or if your baby seems to be in pain during or following feeds, consult their doctor.
Your pediatrician can rule out other possible causes for the discomfort including gastroesophageal reflux disease and suggest other treatments as necessary.
You May Like: Why Is My Stomach Distended And Bloated