5 Common Digestive Problems In Babies And The Best Methods To Cope With Them

Digestive problems are fairly common in babies. This is because their digestive system takes time to mature and they may react easily to certain factors like excessive air ingestion during feeding, or the mother’s diet. However, parents may find it challenging to identify these issues as babies may show a number of symptoms ranging from lack of appetite, splitting up food, or constipation. 

Additionally, these digestive problems may cause pain and discomfort in your little one. You may also notice unusual crying or fussiness in them. One of the ways you can help them feel better is by recognising the symptoms and then implementing appropriate treatment methods. In case your baby seems restless, you should consider consulting their paediatrician for effective treatment methods. 

5 Common Digestive Problems In Babies

Vomiting

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of gastric contents through the mouth and the nose. Infants may spit up small amounts during or after feeding, and during burping. Overfeeding, rapid feeding, and swallowing of air are some of the reasons for vomiting in babies. Repeated vomiting may also indicate an underlying gastrointestinal disorder. 

When to see the doctor?

Vomiting may cause dehydration in babies. You should consult your child’s doctor under the following circumstances:

• If your baby is vomiting very often
• If they are vomiting blood
• If vomiting is followed by inactivity or lethargy
• If the baby displays signs of severe distress after vomiting

What you can do:

You can help your baby recover from vomiting by holding them upright after feeding and giving them enough breast milk or formula to prevent dehydration. Additionally, try to keep your baby cool and comfortable so that extra fluids are not lost from the body due to sweating.

Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the involuntary passage of gastric contents into the oesophagus (food pipe). Babies are more vulnerable to reflux, however, this condition gets better as they grow older. Various factors, such as an immature gastroesophageal junction and a milk-based diet are responsible for GER in babies.

When to see the doctor?

Consult your child’s doctor in the following situations:

• If they are refusing to feed or have a reduced appetite.
• If there’s a rattling sound in the baby’s chest and back
• If there’s weight loss and lack of weight gain
• If they have trouble breathing during feeding
• If their vomiting is green or reddish in colour

What you can do:

Feed your baby in smaller amounts and feed them often to help manage the reflux better. Also, hold them upright in your arms for 30 minutes after every feed. If comfortable, you may hold your baby upright during feeding too. Lastly, do not forget to burp them after every feed.

Diarrhoea

Newborns usually have frequent loose and pasty stools, often after feeding. However, in case of diarrhoea, you will notice loose and watery stools occurring four or more times in 24 hours. This condition may deplete the essential salt and water content in your baby’s body and hence requires special attention. 

When to see the doctor?

Diarrhoea may cause severe dehydration in babies. Consult your child’s doctor immediately under the following circumstances:

• If your baby has a dry mouth
• If your baby has a fever
• If your baby hasn’t urinated for a long time
• If your baby is crying and you don’t notice any tears
• If there are blood stains or mucous in their stool

What you can do:

Keep breastfeeding your baby to keep them hydrated. If your baby is on solids, give them bland and easy-to-digest foods such as mashed bananas, cereals, and toast. Avoid giving your baby any over-the-counter medicine. Instead, consult your baby’s paediatrician if it’s safe to give your little one electrolytes.

You should also be on the lookout for diaper rashes as frequent stools may irritate your baby’s bum and lead to the development of rashes. If this happens, make sure to use a diaper rash cream made with ingredients like moringa oil, calendula oil, and chamomile oil to soothe the affected areas, heal and calm the skin, and prevent the risk of the development of future rashes. 

Gas

Babies swallow a lot of air when they cry or feed, and this causes the excess gas to trap in their stomach, leading to discomfort and pain. However, this condition can be managed better in babies who crawl or cruise (walk slowly) as these movements allow the gas to pass easily. 

When to see the doctor?

This condition usually resolves on its own. However, if your baby seems distressed or uncomfortable, you may make an appointment with their paediatrician. The doctor might be able to suggest some helpful measures to help your baby feel better quickly.

What you can do:

You may give your baby a gentle tummy massage and apply a tummy relief roll-on all over their stomach. Use a tummy relief roll-on with soothing ingredients like peppermint oil, nutmeg oil, coconut oil, and ginger oil to help relieve gas and calm muscle cramps. Apart from this, you may also try bicycling the baby’s legs to help pass the gas. 

Colic 

Colic is a benign problem in infants and is associated with outbursts of inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. While the exact cause of colic is unknown, it is commonly linked with digestive system problems. In most cases, babies with colic stop crying after passing gas or stool.

When to see the doctor:

You may consult your child’s paediatrician under the following situations:

• If you are unable to manage your baby’s crying
• If your baby is crying in a high-pitched voice
• If your baby is refusing to feed

What you can do:

A mother’s diet can affect the symptoms of colic in babies. So if your baby is breastfed, avoid eating foods that are often associated with colic in babies such as dairy products, caffeine, and nuts. You should also avoid feeding your baby too fast or overfeeding.

Apart from that, you may try to soothe your baby with the tummy relief roll-on and apply it all over their tummy to reduce discomfort. 

Tummy problems can make your little one uncomfortable and fussy. But don’t worry as massage, burping, and having adequate amounts of tummy time can help relieve these conditions. However, if digestive problems happen frequently, make sure to consult your child’s doctor immediately as it can otherwise interfere with their healthy growth and development. 

Also Read:

Remedies for stomach pain in toddlers: Gut problems and indigestion cause stomach pain in toddlers. Check out our list of helpful remedies for soothing stomach pain in your little one.

Massage techniques to soothe gas in babies: Gas formation can cause discomfort in your baby’s tummy. Here are some easy and effective massage techniques that you can try to relieve their pain.