What to do if your child has a stomach ache? 6 quick massage and treatment tips for babies

Seeing a child with a stomach ache, crying, or pulling their legs up in discomfort can be very worrying for parents. Common causes in young children include abdominal pain due to gas, digestive upset, or colic; colic can cause prolonged crying, even though its exact cause is not fully understood. It's important to know that most mild abdominal discomfort can resolve on its own, but the baby still needs proper care to feel more comfortable. In this article, Tiptory provides simple ways to help babies with gas and mild stomach aches, suggests safe home remedies for baby stomach aches, and helps parents recognize when to seek medical attention.

Part 1: Effective Ways to Soothe Colic in Infants

Tip 1: Help Baby's Tummy with Warmth

Keep baby sufficiently warm

• When a baby has a stomach ache or is fussy, parents can hold them close, skin-to-skin, or swaddle them in a suitable light blanket to create a feeling of warmth and security.

• Avoid swaddling too tightly or letting the baby get too hot. If the baby falls asleep, place them on their back on a flat, firm, and safe sleep surface.

• This method primarily helps the baby relax and feel more comfortable; it is not a treatment for the underlying cause of the stomach ache.

Try a warm bath for your baby

• Some babies may relax when given a warm bath. This is one of the simple measures often recommended to help calm a baby who is fussy or showing signs of gas.

• Bathe for a short time, always keep the baby within arm's reach, and check the water temperature before putting the baby in.

• If the baby becomes more uncomfortable or cries more during the bath, stop and try another method such as holding them, burping them, or gently rocking them. Not all babies respond to warm water in the same way.

Notes when looking for ways to treat baby stomach aches

• Stomach aches and fussiness in infants can be related to many causes such as hunger, gas, reflux, constipation, or colic, so do not assume every case is due to "gas."

• If the baby cries unusually, refuses to feed, has projectile vomiting, difficulty breathing, fever, lethargy, bluish lips, or other unusual symptoms, parents should take the child to the doctor instead of just continuing home care measures.

Tip 2: Gentle Massage to Soothe Baby's Tummy

Gently massage baby's tummy

• When a baby has a stomach ache, parents can try massaging the abdomen with gentle, slow, circular motions to help the baby relax. The NHS also recommends gentle abdominal massage as a measure that may help soothe babies with colic.

• Place the baby in a comfortable position, use fingertips or the palm of your hand to gently massage the abdominal area in circular motions. Do not press hard or massage for extended periods if the baby shows discomfort.

• This can be done when the baby is calm, avoiding massage immediately after feeding. Some childcare guidelines recommend not massaging when the baby has just eaten, is hungry, tired, or unwell.

Massage can help babies with gas

• Abdominal massage may help the baby feel more comfortable when they have gas, bloating, or colic, but it should not be considered a cure for the underlying cause of the stomach ache.

• Current scientific evidence suggests that infant massage may offer some benefits, but results across studies are inconsistent. One systematic review noted the potential for pain reduction in some studies, while Cochrane reviews suggest that evidence for its effectiveness in colic remains limited.

• Therefore, when treating a baby's stomach ache, prioritize gentle care measures and observe each child's response rather than relying solely on massage.

Use massage oil correctly

• If using oil, only a small amount is needed to reduce friction on the skin. You can warm the oil by rubbing it between your palms before massaging.

• Do not use essential oils or products with ingredients that can easily irritate infants without medical advice. With any new oil, test a small amount on a patch of skin first to check for reactions.

• If the baby has wounds, rashes, or irritated skin, do not massage directly over that area.

Stop massaging if the baby shows unusual signs

• If the baby cries more intensely, has a hard or distended abdomen, vomits, refuses to feed, has a fever, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or an unusual cry, do not continue trying to treat the baby's stomach ache at home; contact medical personnel.

• In particular, massage does not replace a medical examination when abdominal pain could be a symptom of a condition requiring treatment.

Tip 3: Do Bicycle Leg Exercises for Baby

Help baby move gently

• When a baby has a stomach ache, gas, or discomfort, parents can try the "bicycle" leg exercise to help the baby move and relax.

• Lay the baby on their back on a flat, moderately soft, and safe surface.

• Gently lift both of the baby's legs and alternately bring each leg towards the abdomen, then extend it, creating a movement like pedaling a bicycle.

• Perform slowly for a few minutes and stop if the baby cries or seems to be in pain.

Perform correctly to avoid discomfort for baby

• Do not pull, force, or bend the baby's legs excessively. Infant joints and muscles are very sensitive, so all movements should be gentle and within their natural range of motion.

• Do not perform immediately after the baby has fed to reduce spitting up. Wait for a period for the baby to digest and be more comfortable.

• This exercise can be used as a supportive measure when a baby has gas, but it does not necessarily increase bowel motility or treat the cause of abdominal pain.

Can be combined with other care measures

• Parents can combine bicycle leg exercises with gentle abdominal massage, burping, or changing holding positions to help the baby feel more comfortable.

• If the baby is constipated, pay extra attention to bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, and feeding amount. Do not self-administer laxatives or enemas for children without guidance from medical personnel.

• Therefore, if you are looking for ways to treat your baby's stomach ache, consider this exercise as a supportive care measure rather than the main treatment.

When to take your baby to the doctor

• If a baby has a stomach ache accompanied by severe vomiting, green vomit, a distended or hard abdomen, bloody stools, fever, refusal to feed, lethargy, or prolonged severe crying, take the child to the doctor early.

• For young children, especially infants, unusual symptoms should be medically evaluated rather than just continuing home exercises.

Tip 4: Let Baby Lie on Their Tummy While Awake

Try tummy time to help release gas

• When a baby has gas, lying on their tummy while awake and supervised by an adult can help relieve discomfort caused by trapped gas.

• Place the baby on their stomach on a firm, flat, and safe surface. Parents can stay nearby to observe the baby throughout this time.

• Only apply this when the baby is awake and has head and neck control appropriate for their developmental stage. Do not force the baby to lie on their stomach if they are not ready.

Always distinguish between tummy time for play and for sleep

• Tummy time while awake and supervised by an adult helps the baby strengthen neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles. This is not a sleeping position.

• When sleeping, always place the baby on their back, on a flat, firm sleep surface, without pillows, loose blankets, or soft objects around them. This recommendation applies even if the baby frequently has gas or spits up.

• Do not let the baby sleep on their stomach, especially when parents cannot directly observe them. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Perform gently and monitor baby's reaction

• Start with short periods when the baby is awake and comfortable, then gradually increase as the child adapts.

• If the baby cries severely, has difficulty breathing, turns blue, vomits, or shows any unusual symptoms, return the baby to a safe position and seek medical help if needed.

• If a baby has prolonged stomach ache or gas, parents should not rely solely on tummy time to treat the baby's stomach ache. It is necessary to find the cause, especially when symptoms recur or are accompanied by unusual signs.

Tip 5: Change Holding Positions to Help Baby Feel More Comfortable

Try different holding positions

• When a baby has a stomach ache or gas, changing holding positions can help them relax and feel more comfortable.

• Parents should hold the baby securely, supporting their head and neck, while observing the baby's reaction. If the baby seems more comfortable, maintain the position for a few minutes.

Football hold

• Place the baby along your forearm, tummy down, while securely supporting their head and neck with your hand.

• You can move your body or arm very gently to create a relaxing sensation for the baby.

• This position should only be done when the baby is awake and directly observed by an adult.

Holding baby against your chest

• Place the baby tummy-to-chest against the caregiver, with their head near your chin, ensuring their nose and mouth are always clear.

• Warmth and close contact can help calm the baby when they are crying.

• Do not fall asleep while holding the baby on a chair, sofa, or bed. If the baby needs to sleep, transfer them to a flat, firm sleep surface and place them on their back.

Do not consider holding positions as a cure for the cause

• Holding positions are primarily aimed at helping the baby relax and relieve discomfort from gas or fussiness. They are not a treatment for all causes of abdominal pain in infants.

• If the baby has prolonged abdominal pain, refuses to feed, vomits a lot, has a distended or hard abdomen, fever, bloody stools, difficulty breathing, or lethargy, take the child to the doctor instead of continuing to look for ways to treat the baby's stomach ache at home.

Tip 6: Gentle Movement to Calm Baby

Gently move baby

• When a baby has a stomach ache or is crying due to discomfort, regular and gentle movements can help them relax. Parents can hold and gently rock them, walk slowly, or sing lullabies to create a familiar rhythm.

• If using a car, always place the baby in a dedicated child safety seat, buckle them in correctly, and ensure the seat is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• A short car ride can help some babies calm down due to the consistent movement and sound, but this is not a way to cure a baby's stomach ache or a treatment for the cause of gas.

Can be replaced with sounds and movements at home

• If not going in a car, parents can hold the baby and move gently to a rhythm, sing a familiar song, or play soft music at a low volume.

• The NHS recommends some measures to soothe fussy babies, such as holding, gentle rocking, singing, or using rhythmic sounds. However, each child may respond differently.

• If you notice the baby is more uncomfortable when rocked or listening to music, stop and switch to a care method that the baby finds more soothing.

Prioritize safety when moving

• Never hold the baby in your arms while sitting in a car or let them lie on an adult seat while the car is moving.

• Do not let the baby sleep for a long time in a car seat when the car has stopped. Upon arrival, if the baby needs to sleep, transfer them to a flat, firm sleep surface and place them on their back.

• Absolutely do not shake, jiggle, or aggressively rock the baby to soothe them. Violent movements can cause serious injuries.

Monitor the cause of stomach ache

• If a baby has gas or cries frequently, gentle movement only provides temporary relief and does not replace finding the cause.

• Take the baby to the doctor if abdominal pain or crying is unusual and accompanied by fever, severe vomiting, green vomit, abdominal distension, bloody stools, refusal to feed, difficulty breathing, or lethargy.

Part 2: Tips to Prevent Baby Stomach Aches and Gas

Tip 1: Feed Baby Slowly to Reduce Gas

Reduce feeding speed and avoid letting baby get too hungry

• When a baby has gas or fusses after a feeding, parents can try feeding them more slowly and calmly, rather than letting them get too hungry and then feeding them hastily.

• For bottle-fed babies, hold the bottle at an appropriate angle so the nipple is always full of milk, and monitor the feeding speed and signs that the baby needs a break.

• Do not force the baby to finish the prepared amount of milk. Pay attention to hunger and satiety cues to adjust feedings according to the baby's needs.

Divide feedings into smaller amounts if necessary

• If the baby frequently feeds too quickly or swallows a lot of air, you can discuss adjusting the amount of milk and the intervals between feedings with a doctor or childcare specialist.

• For infants, do not rigidly schedule feedings solely to treat a baby's stomach ache. Feeding needs change with age, weight, and how the child is nourished.

• Current evidence does not suggest that feeding all colicky babies more frequently is a sure solution. More importantly, avoid forced feeding and respond to the baby's hunger and satiety signals.

Help baby limit swallowing air

• During and after feeding, you can hold the baby in a relatively upright position and facilitate burping if the baby seems uncomfortable or swallows a lot of air.

• Not all fussiness is due to gas in the digestive tract. Colic has many associated factors, and its cause is still not fully understood.

• Therefore, if a baby has prolonged stomach ache, gas, or fussiness, parents should not assume that simply changing feeding methods can completely resolve the symptoms.

Monitor for unusual signs during feeding

• If the baby constantly refuses to feed, feeds significantly poorly, has projectile vomiting, green vomit, a distended abdomen, blood in stool, fever, lethargy, or is not gaining weight, take the child to the doctor.

• For infants, especially in the first few months of life, significant changes in feeding patterns or abdominal pain should be evaluated by medical personnel rather than just applying home remedies for a baby's stomach ache.

Tip 2: Mother's Diet While Breastfeeding

Maintain a diverse and nutritious diet

• If you are breastfeeding, you do not need to arbitrarily restrict many types of food just because you are worried about your baby having a stomach ache or gas.

• A diverse and balanced diet helps mothers meet their nutritional needs during breastfeeding. Most breastfed babies do not have problems with the foods their mothers eat.

• There is insufficient strong evidence to suggest that eliminating a wide range of gas-producing foods such as cabbage, beans, peas, mushrooms, soy, cauliflower, or citrus fruits will prevent colic in infants. A Cochrane review of 15 trials with 1,121 infants found that evidence for the effectiveness of elimination diets remains very limited.

Pay attention to caffeine and alcohol

• Caffeine can pass into breast milk, and some sensitive infants may become fussier or have difficulty sleeping. If you notice these signs, you can reduce your caffeine intake and observe the changes.

• Alcohol can also pass into breast milk. The safest choice during breastfeeding is to avoid alcohol.

• It should not be assumed that all cases of infant gas originate from the mother's food or drink.

Only eliminate foods when there are clear suspicious signs

• A small number of infants may be sensitive or allergic to cow's milk protein from the mother's diet. In such cases, the baby may exhibit symptoms such as abdominal pain, excessive fussiness, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, or skin allergic reactions.

• If food allergies are suspected, mothers should not simultaneously eliminate dairy, soy, eggs, nuts, and many other food groups on their own. Excessive restriction can lead to nutritional deficiencies in the diet.

• Consult with a pediatrician or nutritionist to identify suspected foods and develop an appropriate elimination plan. Cochrane currently lacks sufficient evidence to recommend a specific elimination diet for all colicky infants.

Monitor your baby's reactions instead of restricting foods based on a list

• If you suspect a food is affecting your baby, you can record the foods eaten, breastfeeding times, and symptoms such as fussiness, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in stool.

• Do not assume that foods like cabbage, beans, peas, green beans, mushrooms, soy, spicy foods, oranges, strawberries, cauliflower will cause abdominal pain in infants. Each baby's reaction is different, and scientific evidence does not support routinely eliminating these food groups.

• If you change your diet but your baby does not improve, you should return to a balanced diet instead of continuing to restrict more foods.

Know when to take your baby to the doctor

• If your baby has abdominal pain accompanied by excessive vomiting, severe diarrhea, bloody stools, rash, hives, difficulty breathing, refusal to feed, or lethargy, contact a doctor.

• In particular, difficulty breathing or severe allergic reactions after feeding require emergency medical attention.

• Therefore, when looking for ways to treat a baby's abdominal pain, the mother's diet should only be adjusted purposefully when there are appropriate signs, rather than restricting a range of foods based on anecdotal evidence.

Tip 3: Monitor mother's food intake when baby is uncomfortable

Record the foods the mother has eaten

• If the baby has abdominal pain or fussiness after feeding, the mother can record the foods and drinks consumed during the day to see if there is a recurring connection.

• You can also record the time of eating, the time of breastfeeding, and the baby's symptoms such as fussiness, spitting up, diarrhea, rash, or changes in stool.

• However, the fact that a food makes the mother gassy or uncomfortable does not mean that the same food will cause abdominal pain in the baby. Gas-producing components in the mother's digestive tract do not simply transfer to breast milk.

Do not arbitrarily eliminate foods based on intuition

• Most breastfed babies do not require their mothers to avoid common foods just because the baby is fussy or gassy.

• If you notice a food seems to be repeatedly linked to your baby's symptoms, you can discuss it with your doctor before eliminating that food from your diet.

• Eliminating many food groups at once can lead to a nutrient-deficient diet and make it difficult to identify the true causative factor.

Pay special attention to signs of allergies

• If the baby frequently has symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, rash, hives, or wheezing after feeding, a doctor should evaluate them to rule out allergies or food intolerances.

• In these cases, treating the baby's abdominal pain should not rely solely on the mother self-modifying her diet.

Prioritize monitoring both mother and baby

• Instead of relying on the principle "whatever the mother eats, the baby will have abdominal pain because of it," consider the baby's overall condition: how they feed, feeding amount, ability to burp, frequency of bowel movements, and accompanying symptoms.

• A food and symptom diary can help the doctor identify significant connections if the condition persists.

  Emily Johnson Family general practitioner

  Graduated from Harvard Medical School, with over 13 years of experience in public healthcare and general internal medicine. Currently works at Mayo Clinic, notable for a dedicated treatment approach that emphasizes long-term disease prevention.