How to soothe a newborn tummy ache is something I've had to learn as a new parent. Those tiny cries from belly pain can break your heart. When my little one had tummy troubles, we tried everything until we found what worked.
Gas, feeding issues, and their developing digestive system all play a part in causing discomfort. The good news is that there are simple ways to help your baby feel better and bring peace back to your home.
Why Babies Get Tummy Aches and How to Soothe Them
Before diving into solutions for how to soothe a newborn tummy ache,
let's understand why it happens. Babies have brand-new digestive systems that
are still learning to work properly. This causes:
- Gas bubbles
that get stuck
- Newborn
digestive issues like constipation
- Feeding
problems or a poor latch
- Possible milk
sensitivity
- Baby colic
remedies may be needed for long crying spells
I've found that knowing why tummy aches happen helps me address them
better.
10 Proven Methods for How to Soothe a Newborn Tummy Ache
Let's look at the best ways to help your little one feel better. I've
tried all these methods with my children.
1. The "Bicycle Legs" Exercise.
This simple movement helps move gas through your baby's system and
provides quick infant gas relief.
How to do it:
1. Lay your baby on their back
2. Hold their ankles gently
3. Move their legs in a pedalling motion
4. Push your legs gently toward your tummy, then out
5. Continue for 2-3 minutes
I've seen this work like magic! My daughter would often stop crying
within minutes of starting this exercise.
2. Gentle Tummy Massage for How to Soothe a Newborn Tummy Ache
A soft massage can work wonders for easing infant belly pain.
Try this method:
1. Warm your hands by rubbing them together
2. Apply a tiny amount of baby-safe oil
3. Use your fingertips to make small, clockwise circles
4. Move from right to left across the tummy
I love this technique because it creates such beautiful bonding moments
while helping relieve pain. Baby tummy massages ease gas and constipation.
3. The "Colic Hold" Position
This position applies gentle pressure to the tummy area for baby tummy
upset relief.
How to use the colic hold:
1. Lay your baby face down along your forearm
2. Support their head with your elbow
3. Let their legs dangle on either side of your hand
4. Gently rock or walk around
When my friend's baby had terrible colic this was the only position that
would calm him down. The pressure against their tummy provides relief when
learning how to soothe a newborn tummy ache.
4. Proper Burping Techniques
Many tummy troubles come from trapped air bubbles that need to be
released through burping techniques for newborns.
Effective burping methods:
1. Over-the-shoulder with gentle back pats
2. Sit baby upright on your lap while supporting their chin
3. Burping every 5-10 minutes during feeding, not just after
I found that my son needed more frequent burping than most babies. Taking
the time to get a burp can prevent hours of discomfort later!
5. Feeding Approach Adjustments
How your baby feeds can significantly affect their comfort and help with how
to soothe a newborn tummy ache before it starts.
Smart feeding tips:
1. Feed in a calm, quiet place
2. Ensure proper latch
3. For bottle-fed babies, use slow-flow nipples
4. Keep the baby's head higher than their tummy
5. Try smaller, more frequent feedings
I've tested different best feeding positions for newborn digestion and
found that a slightly reclined position worked best for my daughter. For
bottle-fed babies, anti-colic bottles made an enormous difference for my nephew!
6. Gentle Heat Application
Warmth helps relax tight tummy muscles and is a wonderful natural infant
digestive remedy.
Safe ways to use heat:
1. Position your warm hand on the baby's tummy
2. Wrap a heated water bottle in a towel.
3. Give a warm bath
4. Use warm, soft cloth on the tummy area
I like using the warm compress for baby tummy ache because it's so easy
to control the temperature. Always test the warmth on your inner wrist first to
make sure it's safe.
7. Sound and Movement Combinations
Many babies find relief through gentle motion and soothing sounds that
help with how to soothe a newborn tummy ache.
Effective combinations for soothing a crying baby with tummy troubles:
1. White noise with gentle swaying
2. A car ride (the engine sound plus movement works wonders)
3. Baby swing with soft music
4. Wearing a baby in a carrier while walking
I discovered that my daughter loved white noise and movement in our
rocking chair. The gentle rhythm seems to distract from the discomfort.
8. Dietary Considerations for How to Soothe a Newborn Tummy Ache
Sometimes what goes into the tummy causes the problem. Addressing diet
can help with natural remedies for newborn stomach pain.
Things to consider:
1. For breastfed babies, Mom might need to adjust her diet
2. Common triggers: dairy, caffeine, spicy foods
3. For formula-fed babies: Try a sensitive formula
4. Consider infant probiotics benefits (with doctor's approval)
I eliminated dairy from my diet when breastfeeding my son, and it made a vast difference in his comfort. Remember to talk to your pediatrician before
making any major feeding changes.
9. Tummy Time Benefits
Strategic tummy time can help with gas and is good for development, too.
Helpful tummy time tips for newborn gas relief techniques:
1. Place the baby on a clean, firm surface
2. Stay with them and make eye contact
3. Start with brief sessions (1-2 minutes)
4. Try it about 30 minutes after feeding
I found that my babies tolerated tummy time better when they weren't
dealing with full tummies. This position naturally helps gas move through their
system.
10. Know When to Seek Medical Help
While most tummy troubles are normal, sometimes you need professional
help for signs of stomach pain in newborns.
Call your doctor if:
- The baby has a
fever
- You notice
blood in the stool
- The baby is
vomiting forcefully
- Severe crying
persists for hours
- Baby refuses to
eat for multiple feedings
- Your instincts tell you something is mistaken
I've had to make that middle-of-the-night call to the doctor, and I never
regretted it. Trust your gut feeling - you know your baby best when figuring
out how to soothe a newborn tummy ache.
Helpful Tools for Tummy Troubles
Some products can complement natural methods. Here are items many parents
find helpful for effective techniques for soothing baby tummies:
1. Gripe water for infants (check with your doctor first)
2. Gas drops (simethicone)
3. Baby bouncer or swing
4. Sound machine with womb sounds
I found gas drops to be helpful for my son, while my daughter responded
better to gripe water. Consult your pediatrician before offering any
supplements or medications.
Finding What Works Best for Your Baby
Every baby is different in how to soothe a newborn tummy
ache. I suggest keeping a simple log of:
- When tummy
aches happen
- Recall baby's
last meal—or your own if breastfeeding.
- Which remedies
help most
- Any patterns
you notice
This information can help you identify triggers and find the best
solutions for your unique baby. I used a simple notebook for my first baby and
a phone app for my second.
Comfort Is Key When Learning How to Soothe a Newborn Tummy Ache
Sometimes, a loving hug is the ultimate healing gift. Your touch and
presence provide powerful, gentle care for baby tummy aches.
Try these comfort techniques:
1. Skin-to-skin contact
2. Gentle rocking or swaying
3. Soft singing or talking
4. Dimming lights and reducing noise
I've found that creating a calm environment helps not just the baby but
parents too! When you're relaxed, your baby can sense it and often calms more
easily when dealing with a fussy baby.
FAQS About How to Soothe a Newborn Tummy Ache
How do I help my newborn with a tummy
ache?
To help your newborn with a tummy ache, try gentle bicycle leg movements to move gas through their system. Massage your baby's tummy in gentle clockwise circles, hold them in a colic position, and burp during and after feeds. Use gentle heat, like a warm washcloth on their tummy.
I found that combining
movement with warmth worked best for my babies. If your baby shows extreme
distress or signs, contact your doctor immediately.
Can breastmilk upset a baby's stomach?
Yes, breastmilk can sometimes upset a baby's stomach, but it's usually not the milk itself causing problems. Often, a mother's diet ends up in her milk. If your baby shows extreme distress or signs, contact your doctor immediately. Eliminating dairy transformed my son's health.
If you think your
diet might affect your baby, try keeping a food diary and removing one
suspected food at a time for about a week.
Can overfeeding a newborn cause a stomachache?
Yes, overfeeding can cause stomach aches in newborns. Their little, fist-sized tummies hold only small amounts. Signs of overfeeding include frequent spitting up after feeds, constant fussiness, gassy pain, and loose stools.
I've seen this happen, especially with bottle-fed babies. Try feeding smaller amounts more often and watch your baby's cues - turning away from the bottle or breast often means they're full.
How do you treat abdominal pain in
babies?
To treat abdominal pain in babies, start with gentle methods like bicycle leg exercises to help move gas. Their little, fist-sized tummies hold only small amounts. Massage gently in a clockwise circle, burp during and after feeds, and keep them upright for 30 minutes.
I found prevention worked best -
feeding my babies smaller amounts more frequently and being very attentive to
burping. Always call your doctor to see if the pain is severe or comes with
other symptoms like fever.
Final Thoughts on How to Soothe a Newborn Tummy Ache
Dealing with your baby's tummy pain is challenging, but most digestive
issues improve as your baby's system matures. The most important things to
remember:
1. Stay calm - your baby senses your emotions
2. Try different methods to see what works for your unique baby
3. Be patient and consistent
4. Trust your instincts
5. Ask for help when you need it
I still remember how helpless I felt with my first baby's tummy troubles.
But with time and practice, I became confident in helping him feel better. You
will too! This phase doesn't last forever, and soon your baby will have a
stronger digestive system.
Take care of yourself during this time. A well-rested parent is better
able to handle a fussy baby. Remember that you're doing a successful job learning how
to soothe a newborn tummy ache.
Recommended Reading
- Baby Gas Relief: Natural Solutions for Gassy Babies
- How to Soothe Gas in Newborn: Signs, Causes & Easy Solutions
