Abdominal Issues in Babies: When Should I Worry?
Belly aches are a normal part of life – even for babies. During your child’s first year of life, they are bound to experience some Gastrointestinal (GI) issues, but these conditions are often temporary and resolve on their own. While there are numerous causes for GI discomfort, we thought it would be helpful to discuss three common reasons your baby may be experiencing abdominal pain or other issues and provide some treatment recommendations to effectively manage their symptoms.
Three common Causes of GI issues in babies:
- Colic: While the root cause of colic is still unknown, doctors and researchers have found that several factors contribute to the condition, such as abdominal pain, reflux, food allergies, and milk-protein intolerance. Colic presents in children between 4 and 6 weeks of age and ends roughly at 6 months old. Symptoms of colic include inconsolable crying, a swollen abdomen, and passing gas.
- Milk Protein Allergies: Intolerance to cow’s milk protein can be common in infants. Luckily, infants tend to outgrow this intolerance by age one. While there is no specific allergy test to check for such an intolerance, diagnosis is based on how your baby’s body reacts during and after feeding. If they exhibit vomiting and blood in their stools after feeding, this might indicate they may be suffering from intolerance.
- Reflux: Spit-up can occur after feedings; however, if you notice your baby spitting up most or all of their feedings, they may be experiencing reflux. Since the muscle between the stomach and esophagus is not fully developed in infants, stomach contents can back up into the esophagus and cause reflux. As your child grows, that muscle will strengthen and fully develop by age two. It is very common for babies to experience reflux, especially between 4-6 months old.
How to treat GI issues in babies:
- Colic: While there is no specific treatment for colic, there are several measures you can take to soothe your baby’s discomfort. Swaddling. Warm baths, and gently swaying and rocking your baby can ease their irritation. You can also talk with your pediatrician about introducing probiotics into their diet.
- Milk Protein Allergies: The first step you can take when treating milk protein allergies is to eliminate milk from your baby’s diet. If you are breastfeeding, you might also eliminate these proteins from your diet as well. Just be aware that these proteins can take up to 2 weeks to leave your breast milk. If you are using formula, seek out options that do not contain cow’s milk.
- Reflux: Simple changes to your feeding routine can reduce reflux and ease symptoms. Aim for more frequent feedings with smaller portion sizes, and ensure you burp your baby after every feeding to reduce the buildup of air in their stomach. Additionally, it is important to keep your baby upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding so that their food can settle and digest.
When should I consult my baby’s pediatrician?
It is important to remember that babies do experience abdominal issues, so don’t be alarmed. That said, there may be instances where you need to consult your pediatrician for further evaluation and treatment. If you notice your baby losing weight, forcefully vomiting, or experiencing diarrhea, contact Briarcliff Pediatrics to schedule a sick visit with Dr. Raymond Deeb, Dr. Rebecca McCoy, or Dr. Nicholas Kelly. We will be able to determine if the symptoms are the result of a more serious illness and provide appropriate treatment. Our staff is here to support you, so please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you may have. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and health tips.
