Treatment and When to Call a Doctor

If your baby seems fussier than normal, you may wonder if they’re experiencing infant tummy cramps. And while it’s always concerning to see your little one in discomfort, it’s important to know that upset stomach in babies is fairly common.

From gas to gastrointestinal illnesses, many things can unsettle a baby’s tummy. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some causes of baby stomachaches include:

• Colic
• Gas
• Milk protein allergy
• Constipation
• Intestinal blockage
• Infections
• Reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The good news is there are plenty of ways to help a baby with an upset tummy. Read on for 17 expert-recommended tips for baby and newborn stomach pain relief.

Try a Baby Massage

Your baby’s digestive system is still very immature, but you can help move things along. “Infant massage is an exceptional and natural way to resolve abdominal discomfort,” says Anthony M. Loizides, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York City.

“A 15-minute protocol of moderate pressure massage—moving the skin—used several times on the face, abdomen, and limbs seems to be quite helpful. Massage is beneficial in infants that otherwise appear to be healthy, are growing, and in whom massage is not contraindicated by the pediatrician.”

Bicycle Their Legs to Remove Gas

Another external technique for a baby stomachache is to try baby leg exercises. “Maneuvers you can do to help them pass gas include bending the legs and bringing knees to tummy, and bicycling the baby’s legs,” says Kim Alt, MD, a pediatrician at Rockford Pediatrics in Rockford, Michigan.

The simple motion can help gas trapped in the intestines find its way out, serving as a newborn stomach pain remedy.

Find the Right Formula

If your baby is formula-fed and regularly shows signs of tummy discomfort, you might consider an easy-to-digest formula. “For babies with gassy tummies, hard or pasty stools, or digestive upset with formula, it may be helpful to try a formula that has the milk proteins partially broken down already, which for some babies can make them easier to digest,” suggests Amy Lynn Stockhausen, MD, and pediatrician at Cook Children’s Carrollton pediatric clinic.

“These are often labeled as ‘gentle’ and often also contain less lactose than regular formulas. For some babies, it may also be useful to look for a formula that contains probiotics, as some research suggests that probiotics can be helpful to aid in digestion for fussy infants and are generally considered safe in this context.” Before switching formulas, it’s important to discuss the change with your baby’s pediatrician.

Check Their Latch

Whether you’re bottle-feeding or direct nursing, make sure your baby’s latch is tight to avoid excess air getting in. “Contact a lactation consultant to adjust latch and determine if tongue tie is an issue,” recommends Janice Montague, MD, a pediatrician at Tuxedo Pediatrics, a member of the Allied Physicians Group in Suffern, New York.

Check for Oversupply, Too

Having too much breast milk or an overactive letdown can trigger gassiness and baby stomachaches in infants who nurse, explains Dr. Montague. “Oversupply can cause the baby to overfeed or swallow too much air, causing an upset belly.”

When nursing or pumping, make sure you’re emptying one breast fully before switching sides so your baby gets all of the stomach-soothing hindmilk. A lactation consultant can help you manage your supply.

Don’t Overfeed

Babies unlatch when they’re done breastfeeding, but with a bottle, it can be harder to tell. “Your baby’s stomach is as big as their fist, so only give small amounts at a time,” Dr. Montague says. “I’d rather a baby eat a small amount every two hours than large amounts every four.”

If your baby spits up, Dr. Loizides says you may need to wait until their next normal session before feeding more.

Avoid Distractions During Feeding

Keeping your baby focused during feedings can help prevent baby stomachaches, says Dr. Loizides. “Avoid interruptions, sudden noises, bright lights, and other distractions, and make each feeding calm, quiet, and leisurely.”

Babies are more likely to be calm when they eat if they are not ravenous. So, the AAP advises following your baby’s hunger cues rather than a schedule.

Burp in Different Positions

If one burping position doesn’t do the trick to soothe your baby’s stomachache, try another. “Laying your baby on their tummy on your legs and patting their back, holding your baby with a hand on their chest just under their neck and leaning them forward while sitting up, and hugging their head over your shoulder are a few different options,” Dr. Alt says.

Burp Partway Through a Feeding

Taking frequent burping breaks while feeding can help digestion, leading to baby and newborn tummy pain relief. “Burping the bottle-fed baby at least every three to five minutes, or after every 2 to 3 ounces, will slow your baby’s gulping and reduce the amount of air they take in,” Dr. Loizides says. “If your baby is nursing, burp them when they switch breasts.”

Try a Warm Bath or Towel

A bit of warmth can ease your baby’s upset stomach. “A warm towel isn’t a bad idea, or a warm bath can sometimes help your baby relax and move their bowels as well,” Dr. Alt says. “Just make sure they aren’t too hot!” Also, keep your baby comfy by avoiding diapers and waistbands that are too tight, Dr. Loizides suggests.

Keep Your Baby Upright

Let gravity do its thing by feeding at an angle. “Avoid feeding while the infant is lying down,” Dr. Loizides says. If you’re breastfeeding, try an upright football or laid-back hold. After your baby eats, don’t have them lie down right away. “It’s best to seat baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure proper digestion,” Dr. Montague says.

Pay Attention to Your Diet

When you’re nursing, your baby is getting what you eat—and dairy is a common culprit for a baby’s upset stomach. “Fruits, green veggies, especially broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and garlic can also make a baby uncomfortable,” Dr. Alt says. To soothe a baby’s stomachache symptoms, you might try eliminating one suspected food at a time, for one week each, to see if it makes a difference.

Choose the Right Bottle

Hold the bottle so the milk or formula completely fills the nipple to reduce excess air. Also, “try switching to a bottle that limits how much air the baby gets,” says Dr. Alt.

You might also consider switching out the bottle nipple for one with a slower flow. If the milk flow from the bottle nipple is too fast, your baby may be forced to gulp and take in excess air while feeding, leading to a stomachache.

Do Some Tummy Time

The primary benefits of tummy time are that it strengthens your baby’s head and neck muscles, helps them develop motor skills, and prevents flat spots on the back of the head. But chilling on their tummy also has another benefit for babies—it puts pressure on the stomach, which can sometimes relieve upset tummies.

“Tummy time has a lot of benefits for babies, and one is helping to move gas along,” says Dr. Alt. Note, however, that you should never put a baby to sleep on their stomach, which increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Switch Up Solids

Starting solids can be a bit of a shock to your baby’s tummy. “Some babies will get a little constipated,” Dr. Alt says. “If this happens, avoid rice cereal (try oatmeal instead) and bananas, as these can be constipating. Pureed fruits, especially pureed prunes, can help keep things moving.”

Add Probiotics

Infants’ gut bacteria haven’t fully developed yet, which could cause an upset stomach. “I often add a probiotic approved for children, especially in breastfed infants—some formulas contain a prebiotic or probiotic already,” Dr. Montague says. “Studies have shown occasionally babies have a predominance of one bacterium in their guts as opposed to a more diverse bioflora.”

Infant probiotics come in drops or powder form. Ask a pediatrician or health care provider before trying this option.

Know When to Call a Health Care Provider

Colic, characterized by excessive inconsolable crying, might not really have a known cause, says Dr. Loizides, and some constipation might work itself out on its own. But, if these simple solutions for baby’s tummy troubles aren’t working or if your baby still has a stomachache, call a health care provider.

Dr. Loizides says to watch out for concerning symptoms like the following:

• Pain during or after feeding
• Persistent food refusal
• Vomiting blood or green or yellow fluid
• Poor growth
• Breathing problems
• Choking

If your baby experiences the above, seek medical attention.