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Colic, gastro, gas: why does baby have a stomach ache?
Stomach aches can have different origins. The infant colic is one of the main reasons. Indeed, the intestines, still immature, contract, causing spasms and pain. Other illnesses can cause stomach pain. Gastroenteritis, for example, often affects children during an epidemic. A urinary tract infection can also be the cause of stomach aches, as can a food allergy, the intestinal hernia or constipation. Appendicitis also creates pain in the abdomen in the older child. It is necessary to know how to detect all the symptoms to recognize the origin of the pain and to treat the child as well as possible. In the slightest doubt, a consultation with the doctor is necessary.
How do you know why an infant has a stomach ache?
For that, we must stay attentive to your child’s behavior.
If he cries often in the evening, squirms, turns red, emits gas, it is probably colic. If he suffers from diarrhea and / or vomiting, if he has a fever, this is certainly a gastroenteritis. On the contrary, if his diapers are not soiled for more than 2 days, the baby is constipated. UTI is manifested by very smelly urine and a fever. If a small lump appears in the groin when you change baby, he may be suffering from a hernia. A food allergy affects the general condition of the infant. Appendicitis causes vomiting and fever.
In all cases, only your doctor will be able to establish a correct diagnosis in order to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
How to calm and relieve a baby who has a stomach ache?
Colic is a painful but harmless condition. Usually colic goes away by the age of 3 months. To relieve baby, you can rock it with your stomach against your forearm, or perform massages circulars on his little stomach, clockwise, holding him straight.
During an episode of gastroenteritis, it is important to prevent the baby from becoming dehydrated. For this it is necessary to him give a drink often and to use rehydration solutions as a supplement. Treatment will be prescribed for you by your doctor.
If your baby is constipated, a little orange juice or apple juice may be enough to get him to have a bowel movement. In any case, only the doctor can give you advice. He will perform the necessary examinations to detect a possible urinary tract infection, appendicitis or food allergy.