*collaborative post*
Something that no one really talks about before you have a baby is the fact that babies get poorly bellies A LOT. I knew you had to wind a baby after feeds but I had no idea how upset they could get when their tummies hurt. Despite being exclusively breastfed, all three of my kids have suffered with either colic or constipation at some point. It can be really hard to know what to do when your baby is crying in pain and you don’t know how to ease their tummy troubles. Today’s guest post is full of advice on what to do when your baby is suffering with tummy pain.
How to soothe your baby’s tummy pains
We all know what it’s like to have digestive problems, but we can only imagine what it must be like for little ones. They can’t tell us what’s wrong and they can’t fix the problem for themselves. Fortunately, you can help your child if they’re having tummy troubles. While it can be hard to see your little one feeling grumpy and unwell, you can try your best to find the problem and the right solution to help your baby feel better. There are a few things that you can do, including medications and natural remedies and soothing methods that you can use.
Identify the Problem
If your baby has a bad tummy, it’s not always easy to tell what’s wrong. In fact, it’s not even easy to know whether tummy problems are what’s making them grumpy. But the first thing that you need to do is find out what might be going wrong with your baby’s digestive system. If you’re not sure, asking other parents or your doctor can help you to work out what the problem might be. However, there are often signs that you can pick up on, whether the issue is reflux, colic, or another digestive issue.
Have a Range of Remedies
It’s always useful to have a medicine cabinet full of medications and remedies that can help your family when someone feels unwell. You can find solutions for baby constipation relief, diarrhoea, reflux and other issues. As well as having some over-the-counter medications, it’s useful to have some natural home remedies too. For example, prune juice can be good when little ones haven’t had a bowel movement in a while. There are medications that are suitable for most ages, but you might also like to have some alternatives if you like to try natural options first.
Offer Comfort
Sometimes the best thing to do when your baby has an upset tummy is to wait for it to pass. It might not be a fun time for either of you, but a bit of comfort can help your baby to get through it. Some soothing is the best way to help your baby get through colic, which usually happens to babies under three months old. You can try swaddling, walking or rocking while holding your baby or offering a dummy. It can also be helpful to distract your baby with white noise or something else that might soothe them.
Make Diet Adjustments
If your baby has an upset tummy, it can help to adjust their diet or (if you’re breastfeeding) your own diet. Your baby’s tummy might not agree with some foods, so changing what you or your baby eats can be helpful, including switching to a different formula. You can find lots of advice on which foods to avoid, or you can speak to your doctor or health visitor about any concerns that you might have. Changing your baby’s diet can help with gas and other stomach problems.
Soothe your baby’s tummy by finding out what the problem might be and choosing the best solution to help them feel better.
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Has your baby struggled with tummy pain? What remedies and treatment worked for your little one? Gripe water, bay massage and warm baths always helped my three.