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.
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.
Yes.
Previously, there was a lot of advice about what women with rectus diastasis should not do. Sit-ups, planks, and other exercises where the abdominal muscles work intensely have often been on the list of exercises to avoid.
More recent research paints a more nuanced picture.
A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2025 involving 34 randomized studies found that abdominal training can reduce the distance between the abdominal muscles. However, the researchers also emphasize that the certainty of the evidence is very low.
This does not mean that everyone should perform the same abdominal exercises. But it does mean that the abdominal muscles should not be an area that one is afraid to load.
Recent years' research also points away from the idea that one should simply find one specific “deep abdominal muscle” and train it in isolation.
A recent network meta-analysis indicates that progressive training programs, where both the deep and the more superficial abdominal muscles are involved, appear to be more effective at reducing the distance between the abdominal muscles than isolated training of individual muscles.
This makes good physiological sense. The abdominal wall does not work as individual muscles, but as an interplay between, among others, the rectus, oblique and deep abdominal muscles, the back musculature, the diaphragm
(the large breathing muscle) and the pelvic floor.
The goal is therefore not only to make the gap between the abdominal muscles smaller. The goal is to rebuild strength, control and the ability to handle the load that the body is exposed to in everyday life – from getting out of bed and lifting your child to later being able to run, do strength training or engage in the activity you want to return to.
At the same time, it is important to remember that the body recovers naturally after childbirth.
Connective tissue, muscles, and the abdominal wall have been undergoing gradual change throughout nine months of pregnancy, and the body has not finished recovering eight weeks after giving birth.
This is also one of the challenges in research. When exercise is initiated very early after childbirth, it can be difficult to determine how much of the change is due to the exercise,
and how much is due to the body's natural recovery. The recent network meta-analysis further highlights that the evidence regarding the optimal time to begin treatment remains limited.
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.
