Therapy of abdominal pain in the baby

Since abdominal pain is a common problem in babies and can have various causes, there are a lot of therapy options that can be individually adapted. All mechanical passage constrictions in the gastrointestinal tract that cause severe symptoms should definitely be clarified and treated by a doctor. While in simple constrictions the intestine can be stimulated again by enemas to the usual peristalsis and the passage of the intestinal contents can be promoted, in more complicated cases or if there is a mechanical cause for the passage disorder, a surgical intervention cannot be avoided.

In the case of metabolic disorders that are behind the abdominal pain, the missing enzyme can in some cases be administered to the baby in a suitable dose, but this often has to be continued for life, or a special diet that does not contain the non-degradable substances can be adopted. This should nevertheless be determined by a specialist and ordered as a therapy, as a baby in development should again not be deprived of certain nutrients. The same applies to food intolerances or allergies, which can cause the baby stomach ache.

Here, too, the triggering substances can, or should, be avoided or, if possible, made tolerable for the baby by means of certain drugs. If the baby is being breastfed, it can also help if the mother refrains from eating flatulent foods such as cabbage or legumes while breastfeeding. In the case of a functional disorder of the stomach or intestine, where no organic cause can usually be found, special training in which a physiological approach to bowel movement is learned and graded can help to avoid consequences that can damage the intestine and learn normal bowel movements.

Thus abdominal pain can be reduced. In addition, the baby’s tummy can be gently massaged to relieve the abdominal pain. Additional bending of the legs or use of certain massage oils can have a supportive effect.

In case of constipation, lactose or another stool softener can be given. In the case of diarrhoea caused by a virus, usually no further action should be taken on a baby except for a sufficient amount of fluid to compensate for the loss. The most suitable fluid is valuable breast milk, which contains bifidabacteria that are important and helpful for the intestine.

One should be careful with tea and rather give boiled water for additional rehydration, although this is usually not necessary in addition to breast milk. Only in the case of bacterial infections is therapy with antibiotics useful, as otherwise the good intestinal bacteria can also be damaged. If a baby frequently has abdominal pain, which is uncomplicated, the parents would like to have the gentlest possible remedies at hand, which support the baby’s recovery without burdening it.

Globules offer a good alternative to conventional medicines for children. Homeopathy offers numerous types of globules, which can be used for stomach aches. Lycopodium D6 can help well with three-month colic, which is characterized by flatulence, a distended baby’s tummy and the typical age of the illness.

Another remedy that can be used for severe abdominal pain caused by flatulence is Chamomilla D6. For cramping abdominal pain, Colocynthis D6 is said to relieve the symptoms. Nux vomica D6 can be used for abdominal pain that occurs after hasty or excessive drinking and causes abdominal cramps.

Carbo vegetabilis can be given to the baby especially if he or she already has abdominal pain at the time of feeding due to crying and restless behaviour. If diarrhoea is added to the stomach pains, Arsenicum album is recommended as a globule. If the baby has difficulty letting out the air that bloats the abdomen and can only ingest small amounts, Magnesium carbonicum is said to have a supportive effect.

The globules can either be placed in the baby’s cheek pockets, where they can dissolve and prevent the baby from swallowing them. Or you can dissolve the globules in a little water and then administer them to the baby. The exact dose for the baby’s age should be asked or read up beforehand.

As a rough guide, you can give your baby three to five globules every hour in the acute stage and then reduce this to one dose twice a day on the following days. Globules are supportive in the case of abdominal pain, but cannot help against pathogens, an intolerance or a serious problem of intestinal passage in a baby. If the baby shows alarming signs, such as blood in the stool, failure to thrive, pain of destruction or similar, a doctor should always be consulted.

Nevertheless, globules are highly recommended for mild abdominal pain and digestive problems of the baby. A massage against stomach pain can be very beneficial and supportive for a baby. It is important not to press too hard, but to make gentle, circular movements with one hand, especially towards the left side of the baby’s abdomen.

The legs can also be bent and stretched alternately. These measures are intended to relieve abdominal cramps, stimulate the usual peristalsis and move the air that causes flatulence towards the exit. It is best to place the baby on a soft and warm surface on the floor, such as a blanket, and kneel in a comfortable position.

The baby’s tummy is best cleared so that certain oils can be used to optimise the massage and its effects. Especially here it is important to make sure that the baby does not freeze. A heat lamp, warm hands or slightly warmed massage oil would therefore be ideal, as warmth can also improve the abdominal pain.

As oils that can support the massage of the abdomen in case of pain, there is fennel–aniseed-cumin oil, which is supposed to reduce cramps and flatulence. On the other hand, simple baby oil can also be used. In order to be able to better classify a baby’s abdominal pain, it is very important and informative for the doctor to have the exact course of the illness explained by the parents, together with the accompanying symptoms and the child’s general condition.

In addition, the baby is physically examined. The upper and lower respiratory tract, the general condition and the abdominal organs are all covered and checked. Just by talking to the parents and the physical examination alone, the doctor can already assess very well what is behind the abdominal pain.

In addition, if necessary, a stool sample can be taken or an examination for food intolerance or a possible allergy can be performed. An ultrasound examination is radiation-free for the baby, but still provides the examiner with a lot of information about the internal events. Further imaging, such as an MRI or similar, can usually be dispensed with if there are no complications.