Stomach problems in infants
Worried that your little one spits up often? Is he having problems with bowel movement? Do you sense she is uncomfortable and may have a stomach problem? Many infants from newborns to about six months of age – whether breast-fed, formula-fed or fed a combination of both – sometimes report stomach problems. Read to know the more common stomach problems in infants up to six months .
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[edit] Spitting-up
Through spitting-up is not usually considered as a stomach problem in infants, it sometimes unnerves new moms and dads. In infants, spitting-up is the spilling of milk from the mouth and sometimes the nasal orifice. Many times the milk intake becomes a bit excessive for the infant’s stomach. At other times, according to Dr Spock’s Baby and Child Care, any movement like joggling or squeezing too tightly or even the stomach’s own digestive movements can make your child spit up. Many infants spit up several times after every feeding session.
[edit] Vomiting
Dr Spock’s Baby and Child Care says that the baby’s stomach may be a little upset, so it would be a good idea to give it some time to quiet down. If your baby is gaining weight as required, do not be rattled. Spitting-up or vomiting is also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux or simply reflux.
If your child is between 3 to 5 weeks and vomiting forcefully, check for pyloric stenosis. Constipation or even fewer and smaller stools may be symptoms of pyloric stenosis. Babies may feel dehydrated or even continuously hungry. Over a period, this stomach infection in infants causes lower weight gain. In such cases, consult your child’s doctor immediately.
[edit] Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
However, if spitting-up or vomiting continues along with abdominal pain, it could be a sign of GERD. But how would know? Usually, infants with stomach problems like GERD would turn colicky. The child would arch her back, draw up her legs and cry or scream. During feedings, she would cough severely or even feel gagged. The sensation of GERD on infants is similar to adults having heartburn. The food does not flow from the esophagus to the stomach properly and comes back upward along with gastric juices. A serious case of GERD can even cause pneumonia, night coughs, and even ear infection. Usually, children by the age 1 or 2 outgrow GERD.
[edit] Diarrhea
Mild diarrhea may be a common stomach problem in infants. Diarrhea is usually caused by viruses and bacteria; change of food, like moving from breast milk or formula milk to solid food, also causes stomach problems, like diarrhea, in infants. Usually, in mild diarrhea the child would be urinating frequently but otherwise be in a playful mood. According to Dr Spock’s Baby and Child Care, research has shown that in cases of infant stomach problems like mild diarrhea, stopping solid food and shifting to only fluids prolongs the condition. If vomiting or diarrhea persists along with fever and a loss of appetite, it could be a symptom of gastroenteritis. See the doctor if the stomach problem persists.
Stomach problems in infants should not be ignored and if he cries oddly and frequently, it may be an indication of his physical discomfort. You should right away get him checked by the doctor.
[edit] References
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). 29 March 2011 http://www.babycenter.com/0_gastroesophageal-reflux-gerd_10900.bc?page=2 I BabyCenter, L.L.C., San Francisco, CA
- Dowshen, Steven, MD, 28 March 2011 http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/pyloric_stenosis.html#. The Nemours Foundation, Wilmington, DE
- Spock, Dr Benjamin updated and revised by Dr Robert Needlman, Dr Spock’s Baby and Child Care. 8th Edition, 28 March 2011
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