Six Ways to Help Your Baby With Uncomfortable Digestion

Your baby is so cute! And you love her so much. Sometimes you're also worried about her, especially as she cries often because her digestion is bothering her. You want so badly to help her. Here are five things you may not have tried. Practice gently and explore without any should/shouldn'ts or good/bads for you or baby.

1. Hold your baby in Baby Ball. Make baby's resting position in your arms a ball position: her spine will be gently curved in a C shape with her nose toward her chest and her knees toward her tummy. Let her thrust her legs when she wants to, then bring her back to Baby Ball when she softens her body.
2. Swaddle your baby. You may not think your baby needs or even likes to be swaddled, yet many babies cry their way into and through the whole swaddling procedure and when it's done drop instantly into a peaceful state. Check out Amajoy's 'Swaddling' Pinterest board to find the swaddle product that's right for your baby.
3. Lay your baby on her left side and gently bring her right knee to her chest. If she thrusts her leg, let her; when she's done, bend her knee again; if she softens, rest here quietly with her leg resting into her body; keep her leg still and try to avoid jiggling; instead, try humming or singing softly. Some babies will get used to this help from you and will readily pass gas or poop in this position.
4. Stroke your hand slowly, in a firm downward motion, on baby's front. You can also try stroking her back in a firm downward motion.
5. Lie on your back with a pillow for your head and lay baby on your belly. Sometimes this belly to belly time gives baby just the right combination of freedom of movement with pressure into her organs so she can work on her own digestion.
6. Breastfeed or bottle feed baby whenever it soothes her gas. This does not create dependency or overeating; to the contrary. Baby's body is designed for sucking to help move gas and poop. Many gassy babies really do nurse often to relieve digestive discomfort and tone the digestive tube.

Give these things some time and trust your intuition. If you think there's a deeper problem that's irritating your baby, don't ignore this. You might seek the help of a professional or explore the possibility of a dietary allergy or sensory sensitivity. Start by asking your friends or set up a Skype session with me to explore further ways to help your baby.

Tried it and got questions? We love to hear from you.

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