Why does the baby's stomach hurt?
Tummy ache (infant colic) is one of the most common complaints in newborns and infants, which parents usually notice when their baby cries. It is often heard that this crying is different from the sound produced by hunger, for example. However, if your baby cries frequently, we cannot immediately conclude that it is a stomach ache in all cases.
It is worth learning about the symptoms of these relatively common problems while you are expecting a baby. This way, you can immediately recognize the problem and know what symptoms to look out for. This will come in handy when you have to tell the pediatrician exactly what your baby is complaining about, because you will notice even the smallest things that you should consciously examine.
What symptoms can we look out for?
Abdominal cramps can cause severe pain for the baby, which he or she will indicate with a loud, screaming cry.
If he wakes up like this half an hour after eating, perhaps also pulling his legs up and down, clenching his hands into fists, and tensing up, then we can probably think of a stomachache. Our suspicion can be further confirmed if we pick him up and despite this he still cannot calm down permanently, he noticeably squirms. Let's examine his tummy! Is it tight and bloated?
There are periods of calm, but the restlessness basically remains. The frequency of symptoms is characterized by the crying lasting at least a week and occurring at least three times a week, sometimes lasting at least three hours.
The abdominal pain that is so common in infancy is not due to organic causes, but rather to functional problems. Symptoms usually last from 2 weeks to 4 months of age, mainly in the afternoon and evening hours, and gradually disappear. (Source: Webbeteg )
What causes crampy stomach pain?
There are several possible causes that can cause these extremely unpleasant symptoms, but an exact diagnosis has not yet been established.
Intestinal flora imbalance
It takes time for the surrounding bacteria to settle into the gut after birth. Sensitive babies may react to this period with colic. The development of the right gut flora is greatly supported by vaginal birth, early breastfeeding and breastfeeding.
Transient lactose intolerance
Up to about 3 months of age, a problem with the breakdown of milk sugar may occur due to a lack of the lactase enzyme. In this case, the baby's belly is bloated, and his stool is thin, foamy, or greenish. The problem resolves itself when the enzyme balance is restored. Just as lactase enzyme supplementation can provide a solution for adults, it can also be used to eliminate problems in babies.
Cow's milk protein allergy
Milk protein can be a problem not only with cow's milk-based formulas, but also with breast milk. However, in the case of this type of sensitivity, skin rashes and eczema can also be symptoms in addition to tummy aches.
Increased bowel movements
The accelerated peristalsis of the immature intestinal tract can cause abdominal pain. This will go away by the age of a few months at the latest.
Breastfeeding problems
If the baby does not latch on to the nipple properly or eats greedily, he may swallow a lot of air. This is more likely if bottle feeding is the only option. Too much milk ends up in his mouth due to the overly strong let-down reflex. If the mother often switches breasts when breastfeeding, it is worth trying to breastfeed on one breast for longer. Breast milk is initially thinner and sugarier, so if you switch breasts too often, your baby will eat more of it than he should, and the breakdown of milk sugar may be problematic.
The mother's nutrition
Substances from the foods the mother eats enter the breast milk. That's why, when a baby has colic, most people immediately start eliminating bloating foods from their diet: legumes, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and dairy products. This is often expected to improve the situation, and sometimes it does.
How can we help the baby?
If you have a breastfeeding problem that you can't fix, it's worth seeking the help of a lactation consultant. They are professionals who are willing to help, even come to your home, and do everything they can to help the baby and mother achieve harmony and eliminate the problem.
Try to eliminate bloating and allergenic foods from your diet first. Try eliminating milk as well and see the results in 8-10 days!
Consulting a pediatrician is natural in case of abdominal pain. It is worth trying the recommended medicinal products if necessary. There are medications available that are not absorbed by the body. It is also worth trying the effect of probiotics. In case of very severe pain, it is also possible to relieve smooth muscle spasms, if recommended by the pediatrician. Fennel tea is among the first to relieve abdominal pain.
Baby massage and gentle baby gymnastics are specifically designed for tummy aches and help relieve gas, and are often pleasant for the little one.
Warmth is always beneficial for a sore tummy. A warm bath with its usual, pleasant routine is not only soothing, but also relieves cramps. You can use a hot water bottle to warm it up, which you place under the little belly while lying on your stomach.
With a calm environment and restful sleep, we can help our child relax. Unfortunately, he sleeps poorly during this period and is not always able to rest well. He often wakes up crying bitterly.
LiaaBébé baby sleeping bags and bouncers are extremely comfortable for little ones. Their extra soft material and heat-regulating ability help ensure that nothing disturbs your little one's sleep. Dressing them while they are crying with a tummy ache is not an easy challenge, but the extraordinary stretchability of LiaaBébé clothes will help with that too!
Babies have a calming effect when their mother holds them in a carrier on her own body. It's worth trying this natural method too!
It's a tough time for parents too.
We can really empathize with the family when their child has a period of stomach pain. It is very difficult to bear that there is often no obvious solution and we are unable to help the little one. We only see their suffering every day.
The weeks, months, and nights that pass like this are exhausting for both the baby and the parents. That's why it's good to accept all help and relieve the tired parent for a while so that he or she can rest.
Are all stomach aches harmless?
There are rare cases that require immediate medical examination and emergency care. If we know the symptoms of these, we can react quickly:
- The symptom begins suddenly
- It is very painful
- We can feel an extremely hard abdominal wall
- Severe bloating
- Vomit
- Constipation
- Cold, sweaty skin
- Rapid pulse that is easily suppressed
If your child's condition shows more serious problems, immediate medical examination is necessary. In this case, do not give him antispasmodics and painkillers, as this will make it more difficult to make a diagnosis.
What is the difference between abdominal tension that occurs when crying and a hard abdominal wall?
When a baby cries, their tummy can feel hard, but as their voice fades, the abdominal wall relaxes. An abnormally tight abdominal wall, however, can be felt continuously.
Parents usually try to alleviate the complaints by trying different options, with varying degrees of success. Often a method or preparation works, but sometimes it doesn't. In such cases, time solves the problem, because apart from relieving the gases, we don't always have any other means to prevent bloating from returning. As the baby develops and his body matures, the stomachache gradually disappears without a trace.
Source: tunderidoktorneni.hu
