Question
What should I do if my baby has a bloated stomach? He cries a lot with an upset stomach and the doctor said it’s bloating, but medication didn’t help. We’ve tried probiotics, and it stopped him from crying.
Answer
When a child has abdominal bloating due to intestinal gas, they may experience abdominal pain, which is why crying is a normal response. It requires dietary adjustments and medication to aid digestion. Dietarily, it’s important to pause solid food intake and increase the quantity of breast milk or formula to reduce gastrointestinal pressure, which is beneficial for alleviating abdominal pain and soothing crying. Use probiotics or Fei’er Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine for children) to aid digestion. Pay close attention to the baby’s bowel movements and if there are symptoms of constipation or nausea and vomiting, treat accordingly. If necessary, consult a doctor for an abdominal MRI for a detailed examination.