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Abdominal cramps in babies are a normal occurrence during the first few months of a baby’s life. However, parents with their first child are often confused by the baby’s inconsolable crying during cramps, so they are unsure what causes the baby's nervousness and distress.

Experience has shown that babies exhibit similar behavioral signs when experiencing abdominal cramps, which helps parents identify the cause of the baby’s crying based on their movements and facial color. If your baby has been restless recently, read on to find out when abdominal cramps occur in babies and how to recognize and alleviate them.

Why do abdominal cramps occur in babies?

Medical terminology refers to abdominal cramps in babies as colic, although a unified medical explanation for this occurrence still does not exist. However, most doctors claim that abdominal cramps in babies occur due to gas buildup in the intestines and stomach.

Patterns related to cramps involve the baby's behavior and the timing of the pain, which is usually consistent or similar. Typically, cramps occur in the late afternoon, and are almost always accompanied by the baby’s crying, which can last for several hours.

Cramps in babies usually occur between the third week and the third month of life, after which they become less frequent and eventually stop bothering the baby. Therefore, if your baby is a few weeks old, you can expect the occurrence of cramps and a certain period of the baby’s distress that you will need to overcome together.

How to recognize cramps?

One of the hardest things for parents with a small baby (especially if it is their first child) is identifying the cause of the baby's distress. This can be particularly challenging if you know the baby is clean, fed, and content, yet still shows dissatisfaction and inconsolable crying. One possible reason could be cramps, and here’s how to recognize them.

When a baby is experiencing cramps, it usually manifests as inconsolable crying, with the newborn’s face turning red. A sure sign is also pulling the legs towards the stomach, and if you touch the stomach, it will likely feel bloated.

The baby in these situations rejects toys and items that usually hold their attention, so mothers often pick them up and rock them for several minutes or even hours until the baby calms down and the stomach pain eases.

How to alleviate cramps in babies?

The good news for worried parents whose babies have cramps is that this is a completely natural and normal occurrence, so every baby has to go through this somewhat uncomfortable period. Thus, there is no medicine that will completely eliminate cramps, but practice has shown, and doctors recommend certain methods to alleviate cramps in babies.

Massaging the baby’s abdomen can be helpful. Gently rub their stomach in circular motions and observe the baby's reaction. You can also rely on teas and syrups recommended by doctors and pharmacists, specifically intended to alleviate baby cramps.

If you are breastfeeding, it is important to pay attention to your own diet, as what you consume significantly affects the baby. Avoid fatty foods, and heavy foods like cabbage, beans, peas, etc. Anything that could lead to bloating should be set aside to make things easier for both you and the baby.

You can also rely on nurses and midwives who provide baby care assistance, which is very helpful to mothers needing support during the early postpartum months.

How to distract the baby when cramps occur?

It is very difficult to distract a baby when they experience pain from cramps, but persistent mothers succeed in doing so. The baby is unlikely to be interested in toys they usually like, but they will likely feel better if you hold them and rock them until they calm down.

Babies also respond well to music, so try leaving the baby in the crib, stepping away a little, and playing some calming music. The baby will likely stop crying and focus on what they hear, and they may very well fall asleep.

Can cramps in babies be dangerous?

Cramps in babies are an unavoidable occurrence, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with everything they entail and recognize the symptoms. You should also know that cramps are not dangerous for the baby, nor can they lead to health problems.

However, before concluding that the baby is distressed due to cramps, rule out the possibility that they are hungry, thirsty, or simply sleepy. Also, if the crying becomes excessively intense and inconsolable, consult a doctor or at least seek advice from professionals.

Cramps in babies are a normal occurrence, so before allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by panic while the baby cries inconsolably, familiarize yourself with the main symptoms of cramps and methods to alleviate them. Remember that it is a phase that typically passes by the fourth month, after which the baby will likely no longer experience these issues.