Is the baby's rumbling stomach intestinal colic?

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

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
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The difference between infant lactose intolerance and colic

Baby lactose intolerance is due to a lack of lactase, causing a range of symptoms, which we diagnose as lactose intolerance. These symptoms may include diarrhea and bloating, among which colic can also occur. Colic is just one of the symptoms. In many cases, such as infant lactose intolerance, severe diarrhea, and bloating, colic may occur. Colic symptoms can also arise when a child’s abdomen is exposed to cold, or other causes of intestinal diseases, such as viral or bacterial infections resulting in enteritis, may also present colic symptoms in children. Moreover, in common surgical diseases such as appendicitis, colic might also occur. Therefore, colic is merely one of the symptoms, and infant lactose intolerance is a general term for a disease.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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Infantile colic generally occurs at what time?

Infantile colic usually occurs in infants within the first three months of birth, and typically manifests at night. Some children may experience brief episodes of colic, but for others, the episodes can be relatively prolonged, possibly lasting several hours. When colic occurs, the infant may exhibit symptoms such as facial flushing, pale lips, abdominal distension, clenched fists, cold feet, and crying. Colic may subside after the infant passes gas or has a bowel movement. During a colic episode, parents should hold the child upright, allowing the child to lie on the adult's shoulder. The parent's hand should be hollow, gently patting the baby's back to help expel excess air from the stomach.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Can infants with colic drink probiotics?

Infants with colic can consume probiotics because colic is largely due to the immature digestive system of the infant. If the abdomen is exposed to temperature changes, overfeeding occurs, or certain nutrients in the food are improperly combined, it can lead to intestinal gas and indigestion, triggering symptoms of colic. Oral probiotics can alleviate these symptoms and reduce the incidence of colic. Additionally, it is important to strengthen abdominal care for the baby to prevent exposure to cold, and abdominal massages can also help. Massage around the navel in a clockwise direction for 5-10 minutes to promote intestinal gas expulsion, which can also help relieve colic. To gradually alleviate infant colic, the above methods should be used. As for the choice of probiotics, it is still necessary to first identify the cause and then provide targeted quality treatment.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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How to determine if a baby has colic or is just gassy

It is very easy to distinguish whether a child has intestinal colic or bloating, although both are gastrointestinal diseases. With intestinal colic, children usually experience high levels of abdominal pain, while bloating generally does not involve pain, with children typically only showing signs of abdominal distension. Additionally, children with bloating often burp, and these burps can have a sour smell; they may also experience decreased appetite, and possibly symptoms like nausea and vomiting, making it easy to differentiate the two conditions. When a child has intestinal colic, it can be alleviated by applying heat to the abdomen or gently massaging the child's stomach. For bloating, relief can be found through taking medication that promotes digestion.