Flatulence in Infants

Babies, especially in the first months, can experience flatulence and stomach bloating symptoms followed by abdominal pain. The baby pulls the legs sharply and the stomach feels tight and hard. This can be caused by a  variety of reasons.

Bloating in babies can occur in 25 - 50 % of infants who otherwise are generally healthy. The situation can be very stressful for parents and this stress is transfered back to the baby. Another term generally use in infant colic.

It is not exactly clear what triggers these symptoms. The metabolism of infants differs from that of adults. This is true especially by the rapid growth as in the first 6 months of the birth, the baby's weight is approximately doubled and almost tripled in the first year of life. At birth, some enzymes are not yet fully operational, such as the salivary and pancreatic amylase or the activity of the lactose-splitting enzyme in the baby.

Occasional bloating is normal and due to the developing gut flora in a baby. In the gastrointestinal tract are formed by the decomposition and conversion processes of different gases. The intolerance of milk sugar (lactase deficiency) and gluten (celiac disease) or malfunction of the pancreas (pancreatic insufficiency) also contribute to gas formation in the body. Psychosomatic factors (parents' anxiety, tension, etc.) may also play a role, such as difficulties in the parent-child relationship. 

This negative cycle can be rotated in both directions and intensify. Often fail to recognize, whether it caused by the stomach by the screams of pain to increased unrest and conflict in the parent-child relationship, or whether problems and tensions in the parent-child relationship lead to increased anxiety in the infant. Crying babies swallow more air and, thus, they can suffer increased colic. 

Flatulence in infants with abdominal cramps are due to gas in the intestines. It is unclear whether these children actually produce more gas compared to others, or if they are just more sensitive. Very often the symptoms occur always at the same time of day, normally in the afternoon or evening. These infants suffering from flatulence are restless, cry and make most typical movements of the legs: they attract only spasmodically, and then stretch it violently away. Babies with flatulence are usually otherwise completely healthy, drink and thrive well. When symptoms first occur, parents should consult their pediatrician and seek appropriate assistance where appropriate, possibly in specialized clinics with established medical experts.