Baby's Tummy Troubles

New parents have to adjust to many things after a new baby comes into the family including their digestive system. While most of what comes out of your baby is no cause for alarm, sometimes there's more that can be going on in your baby's stomach than you realize. Tricia O'Brien, features editor for American Baby Magazine discusses how to spot and solve your baby's digestive problems.

Reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflex, or GER, is what's going on when the baby spits up every day, right after a feeding or up to two hours later. Babies lye down a lot, so hold him at a 30-degree angle when feeding. Hold baby upright for at least 20 minutes after feeding and add rice cereal to formula to thicken.

Your baby may have GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, if he is hurling often, vomiting is stunting weight gain or he has a chaotic feeding pattern. Make a trip to the pediatrician for medication if you suspect GERD.

If your baby cries or pulls up his legs shortly after feeding he has gas. Controlling reflux should help. You can also gently bring your baby's legs up toward his torso, in a bicycling motion. Also try Mylicon, ginger and fennel drops or a probiotic.

Constipation could be the problem if his poop looks like marbles and appears to require real effort accompanied by screaming, grunting and knee bends. Your baby may need more fluids or food. One half to one ounce of prune juice may also help.

For more information on your baby's tummy troubles and other parenting tips, click here.
Tricia O'Brien & Erika Wortham