Help! My baby has digestive problems – What now

As soon as your baby is born, the first questions often arise: Why is it crying so much? Does it have a stomach ache? Is its digestion normal?
Digestive problems are indeed among the most common challenges in the first year of life. Many babies temporarily struggle with flatulence, abdominal pain, hard stools, or restlessness after feeding.

The good news: In most cases, this is part of a completely normal development. Your baby's digestive tract is still immature and needs to get used to life and food outside the womb. Nevertheless, there are some things you can do to gently help your baby.

---

Why babies so often have digestive problems

A newborn's digestive system is not yet fully developed at birth. Two factors in particular play a role:

1. The intestines still need to "learn"

Your baby's intestines are still uncoordinated at the beginning. This means that air, milk, and digestive processes can sometimes lead to abdominal pain.

2. The microbiome is still developing

An important part of digestion is the so-called gut microbiome – that is, the totality of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This microbiome only develops in the first few months of life.

Studies show that factors such as

• birth mode (vaginal or C-section)

• breastfeeding or bottle feeding

• antibiotic use

can influence the composition of the gut flora.

An unbalanced microbiome can be associated with flatulence, restlessness, and digestive complaints.

---

Typical digestive problems in babies

Many parents worry if their baby cries frequently or writhes. One of these causes could be behind it:

• Flatulence (air in the stomach)

• Abdominal pain

• Colic

• Constipation

• Restlessness after feeding

Typical signs may include:

• Your baby pulls its legs towards its belly

• it appears tense

• the belly feels hard

• it cries especially in the evenings

Important: As long as your baby drinks well, gains weight, and otherwise appears healthy, digestive problems are often harmless.

---

What can help your baby with digestive problems

1. Belly massage and closeness

Gentle belly massages can help release air in the stomach.

Gently massage your baby's belly with warm hands. Your baby may also enjoy body contact. Carrying in a baby sling or plenty of skin contact can have a calming effect.

2. Burping

A lot of air can get into the baby's stomach during feeding and cause discomfort. Therefore, it often helps to let your baby burp and release air after breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

3. Bicycle movements with the legs

A simple exercise that many parents know:

Gently move your baby's legs as if cycling.
This can help stimulate the intestines and release air from them.

4. Warmth for the belly

Warmth relaxes the muscles in the belly.

Helpful options include:

• a lukewarm cherry stone pillow (caution: warm carefully)

• a warm hand on the belly

5. Supporting the gut microbiome

Since the gut microbiome develops in the first few months of life, gentle support can be beneficial – especially if the baby:

• was born via C-section

• received antibiotics after birth

• frequently suffers from flatulence or abdominal pain.

Certain probiotics for babies contain special bacterial strains that can support the balance of the gut flora.

Studies show, for example, that certain Lactobacillus strains can help with infant colic by positively influencing the gut flora.

---

Digestive problems after antibiotics in babies

If your baby has received antibiotics, this can affect the gut flora. While antibiotics fight pathogenic bacteria, they can also reduce beneficial gut bacteria.

Therefore, many parents report afterward:

• more flatulence, abdominal pain

• changed bowel movements

• restlessness

Targeted microbiome support can help restore balance in the gut. You can support the infant microbiome, for example, with carefully selected bacterial strains in probiotics specifically for babies and toddlers.

---

When you should see a pediatrician

Even if digestive problems are often part of a newborn's everyday life, there are situations in which you should seek medical advice:

• Your baby drinks poorly or the diaper is dry

• it is not gaining weight

• the stool contains blood

• the baby appears very weak or develops a fever

• the baby repeatedly vomits forcefully after feeding

When in doubt, always remember: It's better to ask too many questions than too few.

---

Conclusion: Digestive problems in babies are common – and usually temporary

Digestive problems are common for many babies in the first few months. This is because the intestines, digestion, and microbiome still need to develop.

• With a little patience and gentle measures like:
• belly massages

• warmth

• closeness

• microbiome support

you can often bring your baby a lot of relief. And most importantly: You're not doing anything wrong. Your baby's little tummy learns something new every day!

More blog posts on this topic

• Probiotics after C-section: Useful for mom & baby?
• Probiotics for neurodermatitis - support from the gut! 
• Probiotics for children - what you should consider
• Why is basic care so important in the treatment of neurodermatitis?

 

 

Sources:

Impact of maternal intrapartum antibiotics, birth method and breastfeeding on gut microbiota (Prospective cohort study) Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26412384/ 

Savino et al., 2010 – Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20713478/