Babies Baby Health 17 Ways to Soothe Your Baby's Stomachache Do you have a fussy baby? We asked pediatricians how to deal with baby stomachaches caused by everything from gas to constipation. By Tina Donvito Updated on September 29, 2023 Medically reviewed by David L. Hill, MD Does your baby have a stomachache? From gas to gastrointestinal illnesses, many things can unsettle a baby's tummy. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some causes of baby stomachaches include: Colic Gas Milk protein allergy Constipation Intestinal blockage Infections Reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) The good news is there are plenty of ways to help a baby with an upset tummy. Read on for 17 expert-recommended tips for soothing baby stomachaches. 1. Try a Baby Massage Your baby's digestive system is still very immature, but you can help move things along. "Infant massage is an exceptional and natural way to resolve abdominal discomfort," says Anthony M. Loizides, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore in New York City. "A 15-minute protocol of moderate pressure massage—moving the skin—used several times on the face, abdomen, and limbs seems to be quite helpful. Massage is beneficial in infants that otherwise appear to be healthy, are growing, and in whom massage is not contraindicated by the pediatrician." GETTY IMAGES 2. Bicycle Their Legs to Remove Gas Another external technique for a baby stomachache is to try baby leg exercises. "Maneuvers you can do to help them pass gas include bending the legs and bringing knees to tummy, and bicycling the baby's legs," says Kim Alt, MD, a pediatrician at Rockford Pediatrics in Rockford, Michigan. The simple motion can help gas trapped in the intestines find its way out and hopefully relieve your little one's upset tummy. What to Know About Baby Gas and How to Treat It 3. Find the Right Formula If your baby is formula-fed and regularly shows signs of tummy discomfort, you might consider an easy-to-digest formula. "For babies with gassy tummies, hard or pasty stools, or digestive upset with formula, it may be helpful to try a formula that has the milk proteins partially broken down already, which for some babies can make them easier to digest," suggests Amy Lynn Stockhausen, MD, and pediatrician at Cook Children's Carrollton pediatric clinic. "These are often labeled as 'gentle' and often also contain less lactose than regular formulas. For some babies, it may also be useful to look for a formula that contains probiotics, as some research suggests that probiotics can be helpful to aid in digestion for fussy infants and are generally considered safe in this context." Before switching formulas, it's important to discuss the change with your baby's pediatrician. 4. Check Their Latch Whether you're bottle-feeding or direct nursing, make sure your baby's latch is tight to avoid excess air getting in. "Contact a lactation consultant to adjust latch and determine if tongue tie is an issue," recommends Janice Montague, MD, a pediatrician at Tuxedo Pediatrics, a member of the Allied Physicians Group in Suffern, New York. Signs of a Good Latch According to the Office on Women's Health, signs of a good latch include:It feels comfortable and not painfulYour baby's chest is to your tummyYou see little or no areolaYour baby's tongue is cupped under your breastYou see your baby's ears wiggleYour baby's chin is touching your breastYour baby is visibly swallowingYour baby's lips are flayed out and not tucked in 5. Check for Oversupply, Too Having too much breast milk or an overactive letdown can trigger gassiness and baby stomachaches in infants who nurse, explains Dr. Montague. "Oversupply can cause the baby to overfeed or swallow too much air, causing an upset belly." When nursing or pumping, make sure you're emptying one breast fully before switching sides so your baby gets all of the stomach-soothing hindmilk. A lactation consultant can help you manage your supply. An Age-by-Age Feeding Chart for Newborns and Babies 6. Don't Overfeed Babies unlatch when they're done breastfeeding, but with a bottle, it can be harder to tell. "Your baby's stomach is as big as their fist, so only give small amounts at a time," Dr. Montague says. "I'd rather a baby eat a small amount every two hours than large amounts every four." If your baby spits up, Dr. Loizides says you may need to wait until their next normal session before feeding more. 7. Avoid Distractions During Feeding Keeping your baby focused during feedings can help prevent baby stomachaches, Dr. Loizides says. "Avoid interruptions, sudden noises, bright lights, and other distractions, and make each feeding calm, quiet, and leisurely." Babies are more likely to be calm when they eat if they are not ravenous. So, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises following your baby's hunger cues rather than a schedule. 8. Burp in Different Positions If one burping position doesn't do the trick to soothe your baby's stomachache, try another. "Laying your baby on their tummy on your legs and patting their back, holding your baby with a hand on their chest just under their neck and leaning them forward while sitting up, and hugging their head over your shoulder are a few different options," Dr. Alt says. 9. Burp Partway Through a Feeding Taking frequent burping breaks while feeding can help digestion. "Burping the bottle-fed baby at least every three to five minutes, or after every 2 to 3 ounces, will slow your baby's gulping and reduce the amount of air they take in," Dr. Loizides says. "If your baby is nursing, burp them when they switch breasts." Acid Reflux in Babies: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies 10. Try a Warm Bath or Towel A bit of warmth can ease your baby's upset stomach. "A warm towel isn't a bad idea, or a warm bath can sometimes help your baby relax and move their bowels as well," Dr. Alt says. "Just make sure they aren't too hot!" Also, keep your baby comfy by avoiding diapers and waistbands that are too tight, Dr. Loizides suggests. 11. Keep Your Baby Upright Let gravity do its thing by feeding at an angle. "Avoid feeding while the infant is lying down," Dr. Loizides says. If you're breastfeeding, try an upright football or laid-back hold. After your baby eats, don't have them lie down right away. "It's best to seat baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure proper digestion," Dr. Montague says. 12. Pay Attention to Your Diet When you're nursing, your baby is getting what you eat—and dairy is a common culprit for a baby's upset stomach. "Fruits, green veggies, especially broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and garlic can also make a baby uncomfortable," Dr. Alt says. To soothe a baby's stomachache symptoms, you might try eliminating one suspected food at a time, for one week each, to see if it makes a difference. 13. Choose the Right Bottle Hold the bottle so the milk or formula completely fills the nipple to reduce excess air. Also, "try switching to a bottle that limits how much air the baby gets," says Dr. Alt. You might also consider switching out the bottle nipple for one with a slower flow. If the milk flow from the bottle nipple is too fast, your baby may be forced to gulp and take in excess air while feeding, leading to a stomachache. How to Choose the Right Bottle Nipple Size and Flow Level 14. Do Some Tummy Time The primary benefits of tummy time are that it strengthens your baby's head and neck muscles, helps them develop motor skills, and prevents flat spots on the back of the head. But chilling on their tummy also has another benefit for babies—it puts pressure on the stomach, which can sometimes relieve upset tummies. "Tummy time has a lot of benefits for babies, and one is helping to move gas along," says Dr. Alt. Note, however, that you should never put a baby to sleep on their stomach, which increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 15. Switch Up Solids Starting solids can be a bit of a shock to your baby's tummy. "Some babies will get a little constipated," Dr. Alt says. "If this happens, avoid rice cereal (try oatmeal instead) and bananas, as these can be constipating. Pureed fruits, especially pureed prunes, can help keep things moving." 16. Add Probiotics Infants' gut bacteria haven't fully developed yet, which could cause an upset stomach. "I often add a probiotic approved for children, especially in breastfed infants—some formulas contain a prebiotic or probiotic already," Dr. Montague says. "Studies have shown occasionally babies have a predominance of one bacterium in their guts as opposed to a more diverse bioflora." Infant probiotics come in drops or powder form. Ask your baby's pediatrician before trying this option. A Week-by-Week Guide to Your Baby's First Year Milestones 17. Know When to Call the Doctor Colic, characterized by excessive inconsolable crying, might not really have a known cause, says Dr. Loizides, and some constipation might work itself out on its own. But, if these simple solutions for baby's tummy troubles aren't working or if your baby still has a stomachache, call a health care provider. Dr. Loizides says to watch out for concerning symptoms like the following: Pain during or after feedingPersistent food refusalVomiting blood or green or yellow fluidPoor growthBreathing problemsChoking If your baby experiences the above, seek medical attention. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Abdominal pain in infants: 8 possible reasons your baby's tummy hurts. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Probiotics to prevent infantile colic. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. Getting a good latch. Office on Women's Health. 2021. How often and how much should your baby eat?. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Tummy time for a healthy baby. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. n.d. Bacteroides-dominant gut microbiome of late infancy is associated with enhanced neurodevelopment. Gut Microbes. 2021.