Understanding Your Baby’s Tummy Problems
Ngwana o a lla.
Ngwana o a lomiwa
A newborn’s digestive system is an intricate, delicate system of organs and functions, and some of the processes can be downright scary for parents. When little ones can’t speak, it’s difficult to ascertain where the problem is.
“Tummy Problems” are amongst the most troubling concern for new, and even experienced parents. Being aware of the potential problems and conditions can provide much needed reassurance and insight. The conditions below are some of the likely causes of tummy trouble in babies and newborns.
Colic
Few common infant conditions generate as much anxiety, concern, frustration and even anger as colic. It occurs in up to 20% of all infants, and is characterised by hours of consolable crying, during which the baby appears to have severe abdominal pain.
Colic is usually diagnosed if an otherwise thriving, healthy baby has spells of crying for at least three days in a week. In many cases, the crying starts in the late afternoon or early evening, and continues for three or four hours.
Baby may appear to be in great pain. He may clench his fists and pull his arms and legs towards his stomach, which may also feel hard. The exact causes of colic are not known, but it’s most commonly believed that colic is caused by bowel cramps and wind building up in the intestine. This may be due to swallowed air, or an inability to digest some components of his feed properly.
Babies appear more likely to develop colic if they:
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Are first-born children
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Swallow a lot of air during a feed
 Are allergic to cow’s milk
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Are exposed to parental anxiety and tension
In most cases, colic develops after the age of two weeks, and peaks at one or two months. It starts clearing up after the age of three months.
Most babies are free of colic by five or six months. Measures you could try to soothe your crying baby include:
 A warmed towel can be placed against the baby’s tummy to help relax the stomach muscles.
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Gently rock baby in your arms, or in a baby swing, to help him pass wind, and hopefully calm him.
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Baby massage is a good way to help relax your baby and to help him pass any wind. Technique is not that important. Warm a little baby oil in your hands and gently rub it into his limbs, back and abdomen.

When massaging the abdomen, move your fingers up the baby’s right side, across and down the baby’s left side, to help ease cramping and wind.
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Try getting into a warm bath or warm shower with your baby. The combination of skin-to-skin contract and warm water might soothe him.
Alternatively, give baby a warm bath, spending more time than usual massaging soap into his tummy and back.
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A drive in the car may help because the humming of the car engine is soothing, and the vibration of the car might help your baby to pass wind.
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Relax – mothers also report that their stress levels affect their babies, making colic attacks worse.
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Reputable over the counter colic remedies may bring some relief. Ask your doctor for advice.
Don’t try to cope alone. An exhausted, frantic parent is likely to compound the problem.
Gatroesophageal Reflux
When a baby with gastroesophageal reflux eats, food backs up into his throat, irritating the lining of his oesophagus. This condition is painful, and feels similar to heartburn in adults.
Most doctors have an easy time diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux because babies with this problem act in a similar manner: Voraciously hungry, they latch onto the breast or bottle and suck for 15 or 20 seconds, then arch their back, pull away and begin to scream. The arching and screaming begins when the reflux starts.
Gastroenteritis or “Stomach Flu”
If your baby is vomiting and has diarrhoea, he could have gastroenteritis or “Stomach
Flu.” Then term is used to describe any inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a rival or bacteria infection. Because a virus is the usual cause, it can’t be treated with antibiotics.
The vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite, can quickly lead to dehydration.
Make sure your baby is getting enough fluids for the two or three days the illness lasts. You’ll know he’s getting enough fluids if he continues to produce wet nappies, his lips and skin appear moist, and he sheds tears when he cries. If he isn’t doing these things, get him to a doctor or hospital immediately.
If your baby is already eating solid foods, you can offer him the “BRAT diet” – bananas, rice cereal, applesauce, and toast – once he starts recovering.
Milk Intolerance or Allergy
About one in 10 babies is allergic or sensitive to cow’s milk, and the condition may be generic. Parents who formula feed may notice a reaction to a cow’s milk-based formula right from the start. Mothers who breastfeed don’t usually spot the symptoms until they begin supplementing with formula. Symptoms of both milk allergy and lactose intolerance include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and rashes.
Changes in Diet
Most babies begin eating solid food at 4 to 6 months old, so this is prime time for food-related tummy troubles. Issue with new foods are usually temporary and should pass in a few days. Make sure your baby is getting enough fibre and fluids every day.

Exercise can also get sluggish bowels moving. Try placing him on his back and
“bicycling” his legs.
Intestinal Blockage
If your baby is vomiting, lethargic, apparently fine one minute and writhing in pain the next, or passing blood from the rectum, call your doctor immediately.
These symptoms may signal an intestinal blockage called intussusception, but this is – fortunately – quite rare.
Other “Tummy Issues”
Bowel Movements
Bowel frequently varies from baby to baby – some newborns have a single bowel movement a day, while others may have as many as 15 a day during their first few weeks of life. Bowel movements of breastfed versus bottle-fed newborns are different, and vary in consistency, colour and odour. A baby is not diagnosed as constipated on the frequency of passing stool alone.
Constipation is usually associated with a baby straining to pass hard “pellets” of stool, infrequently.
Winding (Burping)
Young babies naturally fuss and get irritable when they swallow air during feeding.
When it happens, you’re better off stopping the feed, than letting your infant fuss and feed at the same time. This continued fussing would cause her swallow even more air, creating increased discomfort and even regurgitation.
Winding Technique
Here are few tried-and-tested techniques. After a little experimentation you’ll find which ones work best for your child.
1. Hold baby upright with her head on your shoulder, supporting her head and back while you gently pat her back with your other hand. If she hasn’t burped after several minutes, continue feeding.
When she’s finished, burp her again and keep her in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes so she doesn’t spit up.
2.
Sit baby on your lap, supporting her chest and head with one hand while patting her back with your other hand.
3.
Lay baby on your lap with her back facing you. Support her head so it is higher than her chest, and gently pat o rotate your hand on her back.
Hiccups
Hiccups usually bother you more than your baby, but they may distress her if they occur during a feed, so:
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Change her position and try to get her burp or relax
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Wait until the hiccups are gone to resume feeding
If your baby gets hiccups often, feed her when she’s calm and before she’s very hungry.
Possetting (Spitting Up or Vomiting)
Possetting means vomiting back a little of the previous feed and almost all babies do it to some extent. Sometimes it means the baby has eaten more than her stomach can

hold; sometimes she posts while burping or drooling. There’s no cause for concern, though – it almost never involves choking, coughing, discomfort or danger to your child, even while she’s sleeping. Here’s how to decrease the frequency and the amount posseted:
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Make each feeding calm, quiet and leisurely.
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Wind (burp) your bottle-fed baby every three to five minutes during feeds
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Avoid feeding while your infant is lying down.
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Place baby in an upright position in an infant seat or pram immediately after feeding.
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Do not jostle or play vigorously with baby immediately after feeding.
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Try to feed her before she gets frantically hungry.
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If bottle-feeding, make sure the hole in the nipple is neither too big (which lets the formula flow too fast) nor too small (which frustrates your baby and causes her to gulp air).
Diarrhoea
It is usual for babies to pass runny stools until they start eating solids.
However, if your baby passes watery and greenish coloured stools, it is a sign of diarrhoea.
It is very important for your baby to have sufficient fluids to replace those being lost and avoid dehydration. Vomiting and diarrhoea followed by a dry mouth, sunken fontanelle (the “soft spot” on baby’s head) indicates significant dehydration, and you should contact your doctor
Watch for Signs
Look for signs in your newborn’s nappy that might indicate problems.
Mucus may be normal, or it may be an indication of inflammation of the intestines.
Typically, when there is inflammation, diarrhoea is also usually present.
At times, blood found in the stool may be due to small tear (fissure) near baby’s anus.
But blood in the stool may also indicate a serious problem, particularly during the first month – and you should consult your doctor immediately.
You know your baby best. Watch him or her for signs of pain or irritability, but don’t get too nervous or obsessed. Calm, sensible decisions will keep all of you healthier!
Ngwana o a lla.