Health Care for Children

“My tummy hurts!”
 
There’s no shortage of reasons why your baby might have stomach discomfort. He could have a painful buildup of gas. He might be constipated. Formula-fed babies can develop a milk sensitivity or a milk allergy, both of which can cause cramps along with mucous poop. Or your child could have reflux, in which food contents from the stomach splash back into the esophagus.

The fix: First try burping your baby more often. You can also reduce gas by massaging his tummy gently or pedaling his legs. If you’re nursing, try using one breast for the entire feed instead of switching. The milk that comes out first is higher in lactose than the “hind milk” that follows. For bottle-fed babies, switch to a low-flow nipple so your child swallows less air when he drinks. If that doesn’t help, take a poopy diaper to your pediatrician and ask whether you should try a hypoallergenic or soy-based formula. Don’t panic if your baby spits up on occasion, but speak to your doctor if the symptoms become chronic or your child seems in distress. You may need to position him upright after meals, thicken his milk with rice cereal, or, if he has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), give him acid-reducing medication.

“Ouch, I’m being pinched!”
 
Your baby could have a hair or a loose thread wrapped around her toe or finger, cutting off the circulation and causing pain and swelling. It’s more common than many parents realize, and you’ve got to catch it early or your child might have permanent tissue damage. Other possibilities: Your baby’s skin is irritated by a label or a zipper, or the car-seat belt or stroller straps are chafing her.

The fix: Undress your baby, and inspect her toes and fingers. If you find a hair, try unwrapping it, cutting it with little scissors, or using a small amount of a hair-removing product such as Nair. “If you have a boy, keep in mind that a hair can even get wrapped around the penis,” says Dr. Schumann. Also check zippers and adjust any too-tight straps.

“I’m feeling lonely over here.”
 
Between 6 and 9 months, your baby will learn that he’s a separate being from you, which is good. But he may start to cry as soon as you leave the room because he misses you. Which is good — and bad.

The fix: It’s fine to leave your baby in an activity center so you can change a load of laundry. But if you notice this momentary separation is triggering a meltdown, stop what you’re doing and show him a little love. “Sometimes just seeing you or being cuddled will stop the tears,” says Dr. Cowan. A gentle massage or some light pats on the back will also help reassure him that when you go away, you’ll always come back. If you’ve tried every trick in the book– the swing, music, his favorite stuffed animal — it may be easier to simply take your baby with you to the laundry room. Comfort yourself with this thought: He’ll outgrow his separation anxiety by around 15 months.