5 Common Digestive Problems in Babies and Solutions

Before becoming a dad, I thought parenting only entailed changing diapers, singing lullabies, breastfeeding, and cleaning up after my son.

But then everything changed when I brought forth my son.

Colic, sleepless nights, clenched fists, hard tummy, diarrhea, and so much more welcomed me to fatherhood.

I learned later that babies face different digestive issues thanks to their underdeveloped digestive tract.

Common Digestive Issues in Babies to Brace Yourself For

1.      Vomiting

Before we get to the possible causes of vomiting in babies, note:

Vomiting is different from spit-ups.

Spit-ups occur when burping the baby or when you abruptly turn them.

On the other hand, vomiting is a forceful expulsion of gastric content through the mouth and, at times, the nose.

 If your baby is vomiting frequently, check whether they are feeding rapidly or swallowing air while feeding.

Vomiting could also signify a serious issue, such as gastrointestinal infection.

Should I see a doctor if my baby is vomiting?

Yes, especially if the baby manifests the following:

• The baby experiences convulsions before, during, or after vomiting.
• The baby appears cranky or distressed after vomiting.
• They are vomiting green bile.
• They often vomit, especially after feeding them.
• The baby is vomiting blood.

How can I Manage Vomiting in Babies?

After your baby has vomited, you should do the following:

• Dress them comfortably to minimize the loss of excess body fluids through sweating.
• Hold them upright after feeding them to minimize
• Feed them after some minutes to minimize dehydration.

2.      Constipation

Another digestive problem in babies that you should brace yourself for is constipation. A constipating baby struggling to pass stool might have a bloated tummy or pass a hard stool. You will also notice that they groan, or grunt a lot, clenching their tiny fists and being colicky.

Should I see a doctor if my baby is constipating?

If you notice the following signs in your constipating baby, take them to the hospital for a check-up:

• The baby appears to hold bowel movements any time they are passing stool.
• The stool contains blood.
• The baby has not emptied their bowels for at least three days and is vomiting frequently.

What should I do if my baby is constipating?

The following precautionary measures can ease constipation in babies:

• If the baby is six months and above, give them 2-4 Oz of juice. You can squeeze the juice from apples, grapes, prunes, pears, and cherries.
• Continue breastfeeding the baby at regular intervals.
• Give them more juice or puree from fresh fruits if you have weaned the baby.
• Before administering any medicine to the baby, consult your doctor for the right prescription.

3.      Colic

Colic in babies is so common; almost every parent has dealt with it. It is characterized by unusual crying for more than three hours a day. One unsettling fact about colic is that it gets worse in the evenings.

Although there is limited information on the possible causes of colic, preliminary research shows that it is associated with digestion.

If you observe your baby’s colic patterns, you might realize that it worsens after passing gas or stool.

Can a doctor help a baby with colic?

Although colic goes away on its own after three months, you might sometimes be forced to see a doctor. A doctor will advise or diagnose colic accordingly if your baby shows these symptoms:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Poor appetite
• Change in tone or pitch of crying
• Vomiting

How can I manage colic in babies?

As a parent, you can manage colic in babies by following the following golden tips:

• As a mother, avoid eating foods that trigger colic in babies. The foods include caffeinated drinks, nuts, chocolate, and dairy products.
• As a mother, you should also avoid self-medication since the contents of the medicine might trigger colic.
• Avoid feeding the baby in haste and overfeeding them.
• Try to distract the baby through swaddling, singing lullabies, and rocking them.

4.      Diarrhea

Although a baby’s stool is light and loose, you can easily tell if the baby has diarrhea. Diarrhea is unusually thin and, in some cases, watery.

 Failure to manage diarrhea at its onset can result in dehydration. You can tell if your baby is dehydrated by the appearance of the nose, eyes, lips, fever, and blood or mucous in stool.

What Should I do if my baby has diarrhea?

You can help a baby with diarrhea by following these tips:

• Breastfeeding the baby regularly to avoid dehydration.
• Avoiding over-the-counter medicine (OTC) for diarrhea management for the baby.
• Giving them food that is easy to digest, such as cereals, crackers, and fruits.
• Avoiding foods the baby might strain to digest, such as milk, apple juice, fried foods, and foods rich in fat and sugar.
• Washing your hands after visiting the washrooms or changing the baby’s diapers.
• Change the diaper frequently to protect the baby from developing rashes. Instead of wet wipes, use plain water and apply diaper rash cream or powder later.

5.      Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux in babies (GER) occurs when the baby involuntarily passes gastric contents through the windpipe. The primary causes of GER include immature gastroesophageal junction and a milk-based diet.

Can a doctor help with reflux (GER) in babies?

If your baby manifests the following symptoms due to GER, don’t hesitate to see a doctor:

• Choking during the reflux.
• Poor appetite, including refusing to eat.
• Breathing difficulty when feeding, including wheezing.
• Vomiting red or green substance.
• Weight loss.
• Rattling sound in the baby’s back or chest.

What Should I do to manage reflux (GER) in a baby?

These tips would come in handy in helping your baby who has GER:

• Burp the baby after feeding them.
• Hold the baby upright after feeding them at all times.
• Don’t apply too much pressure when tying the baby’s diapers.
• Feed the baby in small amounts but frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions on Digestive Problems in Babies

Can babies digest food while they are asleep?

Yes. Just like an adult, a baby can always digest food. However, given their immature digestive system, they might need your help to hasten and smoothen the digestion process.

When does a baby’s digestion system mature fully?

The maturity of a baby’s digestive system is gradual. It starts when the baby is just six months old and continues as the baby grows.

Can a baby’s digestive system be affected by breast milk?

Some babies are lactose intolerant and might replicate the same after breastfeeding. Such babies might have diarrhea or constipation a lot after breastfeeding.