Tips and Tricks
Many parents experience that their baby seems uncomfortable, has a tense stomach, and cries inconsolably – often at the end of the day.
They describe it as their baby having a stomachache.
Although it is very common in infants, it is often both physically and emotionally stressful for the entire family.
In this post, we take a closer look at what is behind this stomachache, when to call it colic, what is colic and 5 good tips to help your little one.
In collaboration with Q clinic.
February 11, 2026
Babies are born with immature digestive and nervous systems. In the first few months, the body must learn to:
This means that many babies experience stomach upset even when they are completely healthy. Stomach aches are therefore not necessarily a sign of illness, but often an expression that the infant's system is still developing.
When stomach pain and restlessness become more pronounced, it is often referred to as infant colic. Colic is defined as: Prolonged, repeated and unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy baby. Colic is typically seen in babies between 2 weeks and 4 months of age and is characterized by:
Colic is called a functional condition – not a disease – and usually goes away on its own over time.
Colic is rarely caused by a single factor, but is often the result of a complex interaction between several biological conditions, all of which are developing in the infant.
The baby's gastrointestinal system is not yet fully developed. Bowel movements may be uncoordinated, and the baby may have difficulty handling air and stool in the early stages. This can cause tension, bloating and discomfort – even if digestion itself is normal and healthy.
During the first few months, a baby’s gut flora undergoes rapid development. Research shows that babies with colic often have a different bacterial composition, with less variation in composition and more “air”-producing bacteria. This imbalance can affect both digestion and contribute to increased stomach upset, which affects the infant’s well-being.
Infants do not yet have fully developed self-regulation skills. The autonomic nervous system, which is the part of the nervous system that controls, among other things, digestion, arousal, and relaxation in the infant's body, is particularly sensitive. When the system is overloaded, the child may have difficulty finding peace, and physical discomfort – such as an upset stomach – may be experienced more intensely.
In some infants, stomach aches and colic symptoms may be related to a sensitivity to cow's milk protein that the little one is exposed to, either through breast milk or formula. This is not the cause in everyone and should always be assessed individually.
Infants find calm through close contact with their parents because they cannot yet regulate tension and restlessness on their own. If the child experiences internal restlessness (e.g. from flatulence) at the same time as a lot of external stimuli, it can be difficult to find balance.
Crying becomes the child's way of expressing that the system is overloaded. In a world where everything is new, filled with light, sound and other stimuli, both the environment and the parents' support play a very important role when the little one learns to regulate and find peace.
Close body contact, where the child is gently cradled in the parents' arms or skin-to-skin, can help the infant find physical calm when suffering from stomach upset. In skin-to-skin, the baby's body lies unclothed against one of the parents' naked upper bodies, so there is full skin contact. Remember to snuggle under a duvet or blanket so that the little one is not exposed to the cold. This helps the infant's nervous system find calm and can reduce both crying and stomach upset.
Calm touch and gentle tummy massage can support bowel movements and reduce tension, there is a lot of good inspiration in this area, but remember to do it slowly, without pressure and see if your baby finds it comfortable. If you place your baby on your forearm so that your hand is on the baby's tummy, the gentle pressure and warmth from your hand can do wonders for a fussy tummy, with the other hand you can gently soothe by rocking the baby's bottom.
Certain probiotic strains (lactic acid bacteria) can, in some infants, reduce crying time with colic. Lactobacillus reuteri is the name of one of the types that has shown good effect. There are many different products on the market for infants, just be aware that some babies react to the oil or additives that may be in the products, so good advice is to start slowly and change the product if you do not experience an effect. Use it as a cure when the bottle or can is empty, take a break and see if baby still needs it.
In some children, cow's milk protein via the mother's diet or infant formula may worsen symptoms. In consultation with a healthcare professional, it may be relevant to:
If the baby is receiving breast milk and formula, it is important to remove milk products from the mother and use highly hydrolyzed formula. After the 2-4 weeks, you can try to reintroduce milk protein again.
Gentle manual therapy, where the baby is treated with light pressure and calm techniques, can support the body's balance and reduce crying time. Treatment should always be carried out as baby-friendly and calmly as possible, with the parents close by. It will often consist of techniques that aim to:
Several recent studies show that manual therapy can reduce crying time and at the same time reduce stress in parents, with no reported side effects.
You should always seek medical attention if your baby is crying a lot and showing symptoms of stomach pain.
Most babies don't have stomach aches because there's something wrong with them, but because their systems are still developing. It's not you, the parent, who's doing anything "wrong."
The vast majority of cases of infant colic and stomach aches go away spontaneously within the first 3-4 months, but it can feel like a long time when you are in the middle of it. Ask for help, because it is a time when you can feel stressed, alone and helpless, but with support, time and reassurance, it often becomes easier to be in. We hope that these 5 tips can help and support your family.
