If you have a baby with a sensitive stomach, it can be heart-wrenching to see them suffer in discomfort. As a mom, it can be hard to watch your little one suffer from an upset tummy. From colic and gas to reflux, a baby's tummy troubles can be frustrating and worrisome. But don't worry—we've got some tried-and-true tricks that might help get your little one feel better in no time!

What Causes Sensitive Tummies in Babies?

A baby's sensitive stomach can be caused by several factors, including dietary intolerances, food allergies, and digestive issues such as gastroenteritis, constipation, and reflux.^[1]  Their digestive system is still developing and may not be able to handle certain foods or drinks yet. When this happens, excess gas can build up in the intestines and cause abdominal pain or discomfort for your little one.

How to Prevent Baby's Tummy Troubles

While it's normal for babies to have a few digestion issues, there are some preventative steps you can take to help keep your little one's tummy troubles at bay. Here are a few tips to prevent baby's tummy troubles.

If You're Breastfeeding, Pay Attention to Your Own Diet

Eating certain foods like beans, cauliflower, or certain dairy products can cause problems for babies with sensitive digestive systems. While it might not always be easy (hello cravings!), try to avoid triggering ingredients as much as possible so that your baby is less likely to experience gastrointestinal issues. If you notice a reaction every time you eat a specific food, it may be prudent to take that food off your menu!

Choose the Right Formula

If you're bottle-feeding, the infant formula is just as important as the food you eat. Choose a hypoallergenic organic formula specifically designed for babies with sensitive tummies. If you feel like your little one might have an intolerance for cow's milk proteins, try switching to goat milk formulas such as Holle Bio Goat Milk or Kabrita Goat Milk formulas.

Pick a Bottle That Limits the Amount of Air Baby Ingests

A lot of new parents don't realize that even something like choosing the right bottle can help prevent tummy distress in their baby. Choose a baby bottle that limits how much air baby takes in during feeding time, such as an anti-colic bottle with an air venting system. This will help reduce the amount of air bubbles in milk, which can cause discomfort for those with sensitive tummies. 

Ensure Baby Is Properly Latching To Bottle or Nipple

When feeding your little one, it's essential that you check that they have a proper latch on the bottle or nipple. This will help decrease the chance of them swallowing air while drinking their milk or formula. A right latch will also help ensure they're comfortable and getting the nutrients they need.  

Don't Overfeed Your Baby

This sounds obvious, but it's easy to forget when our little ones seem so eager for more food after they've finished their meal—even if they've only eaten a few spoonfuls! Babies' stomachs are tiny, and they fill up quickly, so stick to recommended portion sizes to avoid uncomfortable feelings after meals. Also, remember to burp them halfway through feeding; this helps get rid of excess air that could potentially lead to gassiness or abdominal pain later on down the line! 

Burp Baby Halfway Through Feeding

Burping is an essential part of feeding time as it helps expel any gas bubbles which may have gotten into baby's stomach during feeding time. Make sure to burp your baby halfway through each feed so they don't swallow too much air, which could lead to discomfort and possible colic episodes later on. There are many different methods for burping babies, such as over-the-shoulder burping, sitting upright burping, and even standing up burping if you're feeling adventurous! Experiment with different methods until you find one that works best for both you and your little one!

When Starting on Solids, Choose Bland, Easily-Digestible Foods

When you decide it's time for solid foods, choose bland and easily digestible options such as vegetables and fruits mashed up into purees or small pieces of cooked chicken cut into tiny pieces that won't irritate delicate tummies too much. Be sure to introduce a variety of foods gradually. The American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC recommend introducing new foods gradually so that any potential allergens or intolerance can be identified early on.

Gradually Increase Portion Size

When introducing new food to your baby's diet, always start off slow and gradually increase portion size if there are no reactions. New foods may cause discomfort in some babies with sensitive stomachs, so it's best to take it slow at first and see how your baby reacts before increasing portion size. This way, you won't overload their digestive system all at once.   

Supplement With Probiotics

Probiotic formulas and infant supplements contain beneficial bacteria that have been shown to ease digestive issues. Adding probiotics to your baby's diet may help relieve any discomfort they have due to their sensitive stomach.[2]

Calming a Fussy Baby: How to Soothe Babies with Sensitive Stomachs   

If your baby has a sensitive stomach, here are some tips on how to soothe them when they're feeling fussy.

Try a baby massage. A gentle massage is great for babies with upset tummies, as it helps move things along more easily. Be sure to use slow, gentle circles around the belly area, but avoid any pressure points. This should take place on a comfortable surface such as a bed or couch.

Do the leg bicycle. Your baby will love you for this one! This technique involves pumping your baby's legs back and forth like they're riding an imaginary bicycle. It sounds silly, but it's actually quite effective at helping remove gas from your baby's system.

Burp baby in different positions. Burping is essential after feedings, but if you find yourself stuck in an endless cycle of burping without much relief, try changing up your position! Place your baby on their belly or against your chest with their head resting on one shoulder—these positions are often more effective than traditional upright burping positions.

Use warm towels for relief. Try applying a warm (not hot!) towel to the affected area for 10 minutes at a time until relief is reached. This helps soothe the pain associated with excess gas and bloating.

Give baby tummy time. Not all tummy troubles are caused by gas or colic—sometimes babies just need some extra time on their bellies while they're awake and alert! Tummy time helps strengthen muscles and encourage digestion when done in short increments throughout the day (10-15 minutes per session).

When To See A Doctor

If none of these methods seem to work or if you notice any other signs of distress such as fever or difficulty breathing, then it's important to seek medical attention right away as this could indicate something more serious than just a sensitive tummy. Your doctor will be able to diagnose the cause of your child's discomfort and provide advice on how best to manage it going forward.

Conclusion

There are many causes of digestive issues in babies, so it's important to rule out any underlying health issues first before trying these tips to soothe tummy troubles at home! That said, if you've gotten a clean bill of health from your pediatrician and those fussy moments still persist, give one (or all!) of these remedies a try—you may just be surprised by how quickly they work! Good luck!

[1] Moir CR. Abdominal pain in infants and children. Mayo Clin Proc. 1996 Oct;71(10):984-9, quiz 989. doi: 10.1016/S0025-6196(11)63773-7. PMID: 8820774.

[2] Daelemans S, Peeters L, Hauser B, Vandenplas Y. Recent advances in understanding and managing infantile colic. F1000Res. 2018 Sep 7;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1426. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.14940.1. PMID: 30271572; PMCID: PMC6134333.