Is the baby's rumbling stomach intestinal colic?

Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
Updated on November 12, 2024
00:00
00:00

A child's stomach making gurgling noises doesn't necessarily mean they have intestinal colic; it could be due to indigestion. The main symptom of intestinal colic is severe abdominal pain, which usually isn't accompanied by gurgling sounds. If a child does have intestinal colic, they may exhibit symptoms such as incessant crying and abdominal spasms, whereas gurgling sounds are typically caused by the incomplete development of the digestive tract in children, leading to gas formation as food moves through the intestines. If the child does not display symptoms like abdominal distension, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, treatment may not be necessary. However, if such symptoms are present, it could be due to conditions like enteritis or dysentery, and it is advisable for parents to take their child to a reputable hospital for an examination.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
53sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

Can drinking milk relieve intestinal colic?

If symptoms of intestinal colic occur, it is primarily important to avoid consuming milk temporarily. Symptoms can be alleviated by using a hot water bottle or by massage to relieve smooth muscle spasms and intestinal colic. It is also important to keep warm, avoid cold exposure, and drink plenty of warm water. Care should be taken not to consume raw or cold fruits, or chilled beverages, as these may exacerbate the symptoms of intestinal colic in babies. For adults, appropriate medications, including pain relievers, can also alleviate intestinal colic. However, by paying attention to certain details in everyday life, medication can often be avoided. Therefore, diet is crucially important.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

Will the baby still have intestinal colic if they fart a lot?

Children who fart frequently may also experience intestinal colic, which usually results from indigestion caused by various reasons. Some children may swallow a lot of air while feeding, which can also lead to colic. However, if a child farts a lot, it can indicate that the air in the abdomen has been expelled, and the likelihood of colic occurring under these circumstances is relatively small. But there are also some pathological factors that could lead to colic, so excessive farting does not necessarily mean that colic will not occur. It is suggested that when a child suffers from colic, parents can use heat application as a local treatment, which is very helpful in relieving the child's pain symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 3sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of infantile colic?

Infant colic mostly occurs between 2-4 weeks after birth, generally reaching a peak around one and a half months after birth. The symptoms of infant colic primarily include four aspects: firstly, the child will suddenly start crying loudly and inconsolably, which is clearly different from usual. Second, the crying episodes can last particularly long, even up to about three hours, and may occur more than three times a week. Thirdly, these episodes generally occur in the evening or late at night, hence the colloquial term "twilight crying." Fourthly, with colicky infants, conventional soothing methods are ineffective; for example, holding or comforting the baby does not help, and the child continues crying until completely exhausted before falling asleep. This is a typical symptom of infant colic.