My Preemie Is Having Terrible Tummy Aches.

Updated on November 18, 2015
K.T. asks from Stuttgart, AR
20 answers

Hi!
My 5 week old preemie is having terrible tummy aches. The doctor says it is normal and that she will simpley out grow it. She only cries when she is hurting, and I hate hearing that sound in her little voice. My question is this, does anyone know any safe home remedies for tummy aches? I'm already using Little Tummies gas drops and purified water with a bit of Karo syrup.
If you need to know for your suggestions (in case of dosage sizes) She is nearly six pounds. She was only 3 pounds 9 ounces at birth.
Thank you so much!
K.

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So What Happened?

Hi!
Thank you everyone for all your suggestions! Since so many people suggested Gripe water, I acquired some of it and it has worked wonders. I have also had to switch her formula. She is doing much better, thanks so much.

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K.K.

answers from Houston on

Spirit of peppermint works great on young infants all the way through toddler. It is an extract so it is very concentrated. One drop to a bottle of water is plenty. Good luck.

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K.

answers from Houston on

I know my preemie started screaming her head off at around 5 weeks and we assumed it was a tummy ache or colic. It would get worse when she ate. We found out it was reflux and it took several trys at different meds before we found one that worked (Prilosec) Also, Ailementun (sp) worked great and is much easier on their tummys.

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K.E.

answers from Anchorage on

We used Little Tummies for our baby's tummy aches and still do and that has worked for us. A friend of mine swears by gripewater. I think you can get it at Sunshine foods. Call around in your area and I'm sure someone will have it. I, too, have heard the same thing about karo syrup.

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J.J.

answers from Jonesboro on

My lil boy had trouble with the enfamil wth iron. I had to switch him to simulac advance. If your not breast feeding ask your doctor for a sample and try a different formula to see if that helps.
I never used the LIttle tummys I always used The equate infants gas relief drops. I think that was a miracle drug lol. I hope your little one starts feeling better. Nothing worst that a belly ache and seeing your baby in pain. I feel for you.
Jan

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K.S.

answers from Fayetteville on

Are you breast or formula feeding? Does your baby seem constipated or just gassy? Karo syrup is NOT recommended any longer for infants. There is a risk of botulism (similar to the risk of giving honey to an infant under 1 year old), as well as some other issues that can arise. One thing nutritionists are telling people to avoid in their diets is high fructose corn syrup for many health reasons, so I can't imagine it is any healthier for babies. The corn syrup can also trigger an overgrowth of yeast...thus, tummy aches. There is a great product on the market called "Gripewater". You may have to do an internet search to find it locally. It seems to work wonders! You might also try a probiotic that is safe for infants that can be picked up at a health food store (not GNC). Swaddling may be helpful as well. I hope this helps!

Enjoy your little one! They grow up so fast!

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E.2.

answers from Providence on

Hi K., do you breastfeed her? Try some natural tea like babies magic tea and if you breastfeed your LO also drink you to pass through your milk supply.

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L.

answers from New Orleans on

If you are breastfeeding, switch your diet. When I was nursing, my babies would get fussy whenever I ate veggies, basically anything that would make me gassy would make them gassy,too. Also, try glycerin suppositories (sp?) as they work wonders!

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D.W.

answers from Sherman on

Hello! We were having problems with our baby Mattelynn and her tummy also. First when I was breastfeeding. My doctor explained that it might be the foods that I was eating the caffeine that I was drinking while I was breastfeeding. Too much caffeine might make her little tummy hurt. Also when I had to switch Mattelynn to formula because I stopped producing breast milk, she was having horrible tummy aches and gas. We switched her from regular milk based formula to soy formula because the milk based formula was too rich for her. She also may be getting too much air in her bottle when she is eating. I would also put a small peppermint in a bottle with water and let her drink just a little of it. That helped too. I dont know if this helped or not, but I hope so. Good luck!

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S.G.

answers from Houston on

My daughter wasn't a preemie but she was inable to digest any dairy. Since I was breastfeeding I couldn't have any milk, eggs, or cheese. If you are breastfeeding, try removing all dairy from your diet for a few days and see what happens. Also if he's having trouble sleeping, feed him 30 min before bedtime and lay him slightly on his left side so reflux doesn't occur. Just a thought...

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M.D.

answers from Houston on

My son was also 3lbs 9ozs and 8 weeks early. He had the tummy trouble as well, and the best medicine was Mylicon. It is the green box with the brown bottle with the .8 ml dropper. If it was really bad we would give him about .4 ml. This would get rid of the hard tummy feeling that came with the upset stomach. Also, my mother in law and Preemie magizine came in helpful here. There is the "I love you" massage Down the left side of her tummy for the I, then down the left side and angle right in her lower belly for the L, and the a U all the way down left over right and up the right side.

These worked the best for me and I hope they help.

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

Hi K.!
I also had a preemie (she is now 8 months) and she also had the same problem. We tried, the gas drops, and the water with karo, and also a prescription gas drop, but nothing really helped. To help with the discomfort you can give her half of a dose of infant tylenol, which seemed to help Haylie. She did indeed have to grow out of it...at about 3 months. Their digestive systems are a little slow so they need some time to mature. I promise it will get better, just be patient and give her lots of hugs and kisses.

Good Luck!
A.

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D.E.

answers from Houston on

I have something that will work wonders for your little one. It is called Baby Bliss Gripe Water. My son was born at 27 weeks and had lots of stomach issues, reflux, etc. This was the only thing that worked and it is all natural. You can buy it at high end pharmacies or online. I always tell Moms about it and everyone raves. Good luck, if you have any more preemie questions feel free to contact me. My son is now 4 and doing great!

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C.A.

answers from Houston on

Try putting her skin on skin on your tummy. The body heat should soothe her aches. She is too young for an electric heating pad but if worst came to worst, try a freezer ziploc bag wrapped in a pillow case filled with warm water but that is hard to control so body heat is best. You may also consider baby massage. My daughter is a massage therapist and has an eight month old herself. Let me know if you live near Humble, Tx. Congrats on the new addition to the family. Sorry to hear she had a tough entry to this old world but hopefully this won't slow her down any.

C.

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M.N.

answers from Shreveport on

My 30weeker had a lot of tummy aches when he was first home from the NICU. We used a lot of Mylicon until we realized it was reflux combined with a cow's milk sensitivity. Now if I avoid dairy and he gets his reflux meds, and we keep him upright after feeds for 30min and burp him frequently when he eats, and I let him graze nurse so his belly doesn't get overly full at any one time....he does MUCH better. If she is breastfed, take a look at your diet....keep a food journal for a week and see if you can find any triggers. Most docs and baby books say that babies don't react to mom's diet, but ask any mother and she can give you a list of foods her baby reacted to. If she isn't breastfed, it might all be related to reflux (so common in preemies). Try keeping her upright after feeds, burping frequently and try feeding her a little less more often so that she doesn't fill her stomach such that movement causes her to reflux some back up into her esophagus.

I'd be careful about giving her water or karosyrup. When my son was her age he was still trying to gain weight and grow and giving him a non-nutrititive/non-caloric bottle would have been detrimental to him. But all babies and situations are different! ;)

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A.M.

answers from Lafayette on

My son was early and weighed 3lb 6oz when born. He was less than 5lbs. when we brought him home.When we were in the nicu a nurse showed us how to release some of his gas by holding his ankles and firmly but gently bringing his knees to his tummy.it would push out the gas he could'nt get out himself.It was a real relief for him and us!!now he has no problem(at 11 mos.)getting his own gas out.and boy howdy!!!

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M.N.

answers from Little Rock on

Please run any home remedies by your doctor before trying them out on such a tiny patient. God bless you and your angel.

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V.C.

answers from Jonesboro on

Hi my name is Vinnie. i do know that if a baby is constipated syrup works good in warm water, otherwise I would not use that. Also, don't feed them sweet potatoes because that really cramps them up and they scream and are miserable. If you can find paragoric I used to give just a little to my babies and it relaxes the tummy and they sleep. Good luck

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M.B.

answers from Houston on

GRIPE WATER!!!!! That stuff is like a miracle cure......I get mine at this Indian food store close to my house, and it works for all kinds of tummy problems....
Good Luck!
april

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A.E.

answers from Longview on

I had to use Mylacon and change his formula to enfamil gentlease for fussiness ans gas. Also, someone told me to boil an onion and use the water in a bottle (of course after it cools). I would also prob. dilute it some with regular water and maybe try that..I have never done it, but would try it on my own.

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N.W.

answers from Houston on

Mylicon works almost immediately for my 2 month old.

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