Image: Shutterstock
Every parent knows that if you have a baby, an upset tummy comes with the territory. It might surprise you that a little stomach could have so many problems, but tummy aches are very common among infants. They are especially apparent if you are trying to switch their diet or starting to introduce solid foods into their diet. But there is no need to get worried and all worked up. You needn’t visit the doctor’s office every single time your little one feels slight discomfort in their stomach. With these at home remedies, they will be as good as new in no time! Care to know what they are? Keep on reading.
1. Try A Baby Massage
Image: Shutterstock
Sometimes, there’s nothing like a good soothing massage to relieve some discomfort and pain in the stomach. Keep in mind that your baby’s digestive system is immature and still developing, which is why issues like indigestion are fairly common. But you can give your baby a massage to help move things along. Infant massages are a natural and effective way of resolving abdominal discomfort. Massages are also beneficial in infants that otherwise appear to be healthy, are growing, and in whom massage is not contraindicated by the pediatrician. A simple 15 minute massage that gently goes over the baby’s face, limbs, abdomen and back can be greatly beneficial to them and alleviate some of their pain and discomfort.
2. Bicycle Their Legs To Remove Gas
Image: Shutterstock
Babies are prone to getting very gassy which in turn can lead to a bad tummy ache and discomfort. In these situations the best thing to do is help your baby expel that gas. But how? Well, you can use the external technique which is in the form of baby leg exercises. Maneuvers you can do to help them pass gas include bending the legs and bringing knees to the tummy, and bicycling the baby’s legs. The simple motion can help gas trapped in the intestines find its way out and hopefully relieve your little one’s upset tummy. Easy and effective. No trip to the ER needed!
3. Find The Right Formula
Image: Shutterstock
If your baby is formulaic it is important to find one that does not upset their tummy. Make sure you pick an easy to digest option that is mild on their stomach. For example, for babies with gassy tummies, hard or pasty stools, or digestive upset with formula, it may be helpful to try a formula that has the milk proteins partially broken down already, which for some babies can make them easier to digest. You can locate these easily in stores as they will be labeled as gentle formulas and often contain probiotics which are generally considered safe for infants. However, before you make these changes, make sure to consult your pediatrician in order to confirm that it is safe for your baby.
4. Check Their Latch
Image: Shutterstock
Formula-fed babies are not the only ones who suffer from tummy aches and digestive issues and one common problem even breastfed babies face is latching. The latch must be tight in order to avoid excess air getting in. If this seems to be the crux of your baby’s problems, contact a lactation consultant to adjust the latch and determine if tongue tie is an issue. Your baby should be able to easily exhale after sucking, they must be visibly swallowing and most importantly, their lips must be flayed out instead of tucked in. If these signs are not visible, your baby is struggling to latch on correctly.
5. Don’t Overfeed Your Baby
Image: Shutterstock
If your baby is feeding well and unlatches, this is not a mistake. When your baby unlatches, it means they are done breastfeeding and that’s perfectly okay. Your baby is small and can only drink little at a time so don’t force them to drink more milk. They will signal to you when they are hungry and need to be nursed again. However, it’s harder to gauge when they unlatch when they are bottle fed. And this can lead to them overfeeding which in turn can cause an upset tummy. Keep in mind that your baby‘s stomach is only as small as their fist. So eating in smaller quantities every two hours is preferred over drinking a lot of milk every four hours.
It always seems like the end of the world when your baby falls ill or is in pain but it doesn’t have to be. Tummy aches are very common and can be dealt with at home by taking a few precautions and being prepared. However, if your baby is in too much pain and you are unable to locate the cause of their discomfort it is best to consult a doctor. Happy parenting!
