5 Common Digestive Problems In Infants

Team AckoFeb 9, 2024

Parenthood is surely the most-awaited phase for all couples but it comes with its own share of complexities and bizarreness. Post the birth of your newborn your entire life revolves around them. Even your baby crying for a long time can make you anxious; hence if your infant is having any digestive problems, you are surely bound to touch the roof. 

Common digestive problems in infants

Let us try to explore different reasons for digestive problems and preventions for your baby trying to help you deal with it in a better way.

Reflux

Digestive process differs from babies to babies, and it is found that in most babies it is quite slow. The milk can come up from the stomach and lead to throwing out from your infant’s stomach. This is a common problem amongst most newborns and they often outgrow them with time or maybe once they start with solid food. But if you notice the following symptoms, it is advisable that you contact a pediatrician– Loss of appetite, continuous hiccups, sluggish weight gain and breathing problems.

Even as you go to your doctor for further consultation try implementing these in your daily schedule like burping your baby after feeding, keeping an upright position while feeding and also for at least half an hour post-feed.

Vomiting 

Vomiting can be physically very strenuous for adults hence you can understand how bad it is for your baby. Vomiting can be either viral or bacterial infection. At times it can subside on its own.  Initially, to help your baby you must try feeding in smaller portions, if you are breastfeeding your baby reduce the time spent by your baby and make your baby feed more frequently.

Click here to learn more about your baby's vomiting 

As mentioned earlier, vomiting can be due to viral infection, and then it is often accompanied by diarrhoea. If you witness traits of green vile in the vomit then it could be a sign of blockage in the intestine and needs doctor’s consultation immediately. Also, if there is severe dehydration like dry mouth or less wet diapers please go to a doctor. 

Diarrhoea

Just as vomiting can devastate your baby, diarrhoea too can be difficult to handle, leading to severe dehydration. Rotavirus is the most common types of infant diarrhoea, occurring usually during winters. 

Do consult the doctor immediately if you observe the following symptoms like diarrhoea lasting more than two weeks, inherent cries during bowel movements, and rashes all over the body or blood or mucus traits in the stool. In the meantime, for temporary relief, you can increase the fluid intake and offer electrolyte solution to your baby and even check if by any chance your baby is allergic to breastmilk.

Constipation 

Constipation usually occurs when infants start taking solids but can occur in the small ones too. Even though it is a common problem amongst infants do consult a paediatrician once you observe some of these symptoms like pain during bowel movements or if you feel that your baby is not too comfortable. 

Read more on: Dealing with constipation in your baby

Digestive system abnormalities

Some babies are born with problems in their digestive systems. This is usually the result of any development problems of the baby during pregnancy. Let us try to understand some uncommon problems that can be found in the babies for our better understanding.

Abnormalities of the esophagus  

In such cases, the esophagus is not properly connected to the stomach and the connection between the windpipe and esophagus is very small. In such cases, the milk can get inhaled into the lungs due to the refluxes from the esophageal pouch. Hence, there can be breathing issues due to the presence of milk in the lungs. Babies born with such disorders should not be fed any form of liquid.

Abnormalities of the stomach 

Due to blockages, food does not pass from the stomach to the intestine leading to severe vomiting. If the pyloric stenosis narrows to a great extent, it blocks the food from leaving the stomach. The best way to eradicate this problem is to get a surgery done.

Abnormalities of the intestines  

Certain developmental problems during pregnancy lead to this kind of abnormality. This abnormality can lead to multiple complications and surgery is the most opted way to see through this problem for your baby.

Abnormalities of the liver and gall bladder  

This rare problem occurs if the bile ducts within the liver are not developed properly within the womb as a result, bile is trapped inside the liver.

Abnormalities of the abdominal wall

In this situation the abdominal organs protrude through the umbilical cord and the gastrointestinial organs do not completely move back to the abdomen in early pregnancy. This is a condition that often results in cardiac abnormalities, neural tube defects.

Abnormalities of the anus and rectum 

Depending on the nature of these abnormalities, they can be rectified with the help of surgery. In such cases, babies have full, partial or at times no control over their bowel movements.

Common digestive problems in infants: Other reasons

Some other common reasons for digestive problems can be:

Feeding intolerance 

At times such problems subside after sometime. Feeding intolerance can occur due to blood infection, low birth weight, congenital malformation or even delayed feeding. It is hence advised to visit the doctor for adequate medication.

Colic

In the initial days, every time your baby screams or cries you will feel he is a colic baby. Most babies outgrow colic once they turn 3 months old. But sometimes older babies can suffer from it too. Probiotics help manage colic in the initial stage. 

Check out tips on how to soothe your baby's colic pain

Most digestive problems resolve as your baby grows, hope this blog helps in your higher stress levels and helps to ease the pain for your baby.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.