What should I do if my baby has indigestion and intestinal colic?

Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
Updated on May 08, 2025
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Intestinal colic generally occurs in babies around six months old, when their gastrointestinal functions are not yet fully developed, and they begin to consume supplementary foods. Some foods may be hard to digest, leading to bloating and intestinal spasms. If a baby experiences bloating, they might show signs of intermittent crying and irritability. To help, you can perform gas-relief exercises and massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction to facilitate the expulsion of gas from the intestines. Additionally, taking probiotics orally can help regulate the intestinal flora. If the bloating is prominent, simethicone can be administered orally to absorb excess gas in the intestines and alleviate the pain of intestinal colic. Another method to ease discomfort is holding the baby in an “airplane” position. It's important in daily life to feed reasonably, opt for smaller, more frequent meals, and gradually increase the amount of supplementary foods. Also, ensure the baby’s abdomen is kept warm to prevent it from getting cold.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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Symptoms timing of infantile colic

The symptoms of infantile colic are sudden bouts of crying, during which the child's face turns very red, their hands clenched into fists, and their stomach distended. The child may also be difficult to console. To alleviate these symptoms, it is recommended to apply warm compresses to the child's abdomen and massage the abdomen to relieve intestinal gas and colic. Colic is generally more common at night and usually occurs in babies between one and three months old. To prevent colic, it is important to burp the child for ten minutes after each feeding and to massage the child’s abdomen in a clockwise direction between feedings. When colic occurs, applying a warm compress to the abdomen and massaging in a clockwise direction can help, as well as holding the child in an "airplane" hold.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Does infantile colic cause bowel sounds?

Infantile colic can present with bowel sounds. First, it is important to understand that colic is associated with indigestion, or that certain components in the consumed food are not fully digested and absorbed. This leads to abnormal intestinal peristalsis, or excessive intestinal gas production that stimulates the nerves in the intestinal wall, causing symptoms of colic. The affected child often exhibits crying, limbs curling, and accompanying abdominal distension. In such cases, there is often an increase in bowel sounds, which can be assessed through auscultation. When colic occurs, it is firstly advisable to adjust the diet, such as abdominal massage to promote intestinal gas expulsion, choosing light, liquid, and easily digestible food, eating small, frequent meals, and using probiotics to aid digestion and absorption, reducing the production of intestinal gas. Additionally, it is crucial to check if the baby has any digestive system diseases or intestinal developmental abnormalities, as these conditions can lead to recurrent symptoms of colic.

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Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
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How to determine if a baby has colic

Intestinal colic is a very common symptom in babies. It can be caused by both physiological and pathological reasons. Physiological reasons generally include improper feeding, a cold stomach, or excessive hunger. Pathological reasons typically involve acute gastroenteritis, indigestion, and so on. Intestinal colic usually occurs in the evening or at night and has a sudden onset. Mild cases may present with loss of appetite, incessant crying, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases can exhibit symptoms such as high fever, bloody stools, and even confusion. Therefore, when diagnosing intestinal colic, it is necessary to go to the hospital for relevant examinations to rule out surgical conditions. Intestinal colic is generally manageable and can be relieved with appropriate treatment. It is important to keep the baby's stomach warm, avoid overeating and binge eating, and maintain cleanliness and hygiene in their diet.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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How to treat infantile colic?

If an infant suffers from colic, it is mostly considered to be physiological colic caused by intestinal gas accumulation. The treatment methods include holding the child upright or in an airplane hold, which can alleviate the symptoms of colic to varying degrees. Regularly massaging the child's abdomen in a clockwise direction and performing gas-relief exercises can also help ease the colic. For more severe cases of colic, if the aforementioned methods do not have a noticeable effect, simethicone can be administered to the child, generally achieving satisfactory results. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
1min 5sec home-news-image

What should I do if my baby has indigestion and intestinal colic?

Intestinal colic generally occurs in babies around six months old, when their gastrointestinal functions are not yet fully developed, and they begin to consume supplementary foods. Some foods may be hard to digest, leading to bloating and intestinal spasms. If a baby experiences bloating, they might show signs of intermittent crying and irritability. To help, you can perform gas-relief exercises and massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction to facilitate the expulsion of gas from the intestines. Additionally, taking probiotics orally can help regulate the intestinal flora. If the bloating is prominent, simethicone can be administered orally to absorb excess gas in the intestines and alleviate the pain of intestinal colic. Another method to ease discomfort is holding the baby in an “airplane” position. It's important in daily life to feed reasonably, opt for smaller, more frequent meals, and gradually increase the amount of supplementary foods. Also, ensure the baby’s abdomen is kept warm to prevent it from getting cold.