Will a baby's stomach make noises if they have colic?

Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
Updated on January 19, 2025
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When a child experiences intestinal colic, they often experience severe abdominal pain, and may exhibit behaviors like crying or discomfort. They might also kick around, but usually, there will not be noises of rumbling in the stomach. The rumbling sounds in a child's stomach are usually due to reasons like indigestion which cause the sounds of gastrointestinal motility. When a child eats too quickly and a large amount of air enters the stomach, it can lead to this phenomenon. If the child has started on solid foods, consuming foods that produce a lot of gas can also cause these symptoms. If the child does not show other symptoms such as diarrhea, special treatment is generally not necessary.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of infantile colic?

Infantile colic is more common and mostly occurs in infants under three months of age. It is characterized by paroxysmal crying, with the infant crying loudly for several hours. During an attack, the face often turns flush, the area around the mouth is pale, and the abdomen is bloated and tense. This is usually accompanied by tightly clenched hands, and symptoms may slightly relieve after passing gas or having a bowel movement. There are many causes of colic, often related to the infant's own constitution, especially food allergies which can exacerbate symptoms. Additionally, respiratory infections, abdominal chilling, overeating, or accumulation of intestinal gas can also trigger symptoms of colic.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Is pediatric tuina massage effective for intestinal colic?

When infants experience intestinal colic, it is generally due to excessive gas accumulation in the intestinal cavity, where the gas cannot be normally expelled from the body, leading to abdominal pain. Appropriate use of pediatric massage techniques can be employed to treat this condition, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms. Especially, clockwise massaging the abdomen of the affected child has a very clear clinical effect in promoting intestinal peristalsis and gas expulsion. In addition, assisting children with some lower limb exercises can also promote gastrointestinal motility and gas expulsion. If there is abnormal stool, combining oral probiotics to regulate and maintain the intestinal flora can be beneficial. If necessary, medications that promote gastrointestinal motility can also be taken orally to help with gas expulsion.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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Can infantile colic cause constipation?

Infantile colic can cause constipation. It is first important to understand that colic is caused by abnormal intestinal movements and stimulation of the intestinal mucosa, leading to pain symptoms. This is often due to increased intestinal gas or constipation, which disrupt normal intestinal movements and thus also cause symptoms of constipation. In such cases, one can first try abdominal massage to promote intestinal movements and help the expulsion of gas and stool, thereby alleviating symptoms. Additionally, taking probiotics orally can regulate gastrointestinal function and aid in digestion and absorption. Attention should also be paid to dietary adjustments, preferably eating light and easily digestible food to reduce the production of intestinal gas and alleviate its symptoms. If symptoms persist for a long time without significant relief, it is still necessary to have a specialist doctor examine and prescribe medication accordingly.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can a pacifier be used for intestinal colic?

First, we need to understand the causes of colic. It commonly occurs in infants when breastfeeding or formula feeding, due to ingesting large amounts of air. The air bubbles move within the intestines and cause abdominal pain. Furthermore, overfeeding can lead to excessive stomach expansion, which can also cause discomfort. Therefore, when feeding, it is important to ensure that the child does not inhale a large amount of air. Additionally, using a pacifier can lead to the intake of more air, thereby exacerbating colic. Thus, prevention is more important than treatment. Mothers should be careful not to let the baby inhale air while breastfeeding, as this is the most common cause of the condition.

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Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
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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.