Why Is My Newborn’s Stomach Bloated and Hard?

While most infant bellies stick out a little bit, especially after a hearty meal, the stomach should feel soft between feedings. But it’s not uncommon for newborns to have a bloated or hard belly. Here are some possible explanations for why your little one’s tummy might seem swollen or harder than usual.

Why does my baby’s belly look bloated? Five potential reasons:

1. Gas

Regardless of whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed, they’ll likely have gas. It’s a normal bodily function. But when those air bubbles aren’t relieved by burping or flatulence, they can build up in your little one’s belly. The aftermath? Bloating and uncomfortable gas pains, which can make them cry and fuss.

Potential causes of gas

What’s causing all that gas? It could be because your baby is:

• Swallowing too much air when sucking on the breast or bottle or crying
• Unable to fully break down food yet due to their immature digestive system
• Experiencing food sensitivities, such as cow milk protein sensitivity or allergy

Rarer causes of gassiness are underlying health conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Easing gas in babies

Encourage that gas to come out by trying the following:

• Keep your baby upright for up to 30 minutes after feeding. Burp them during and after feeding to help release gas pockets, and alternate positions to see which ones work best.
• With your baby flat on their back, move those chubby little legs in a bicycling motion. From time to time, gently push their legs back and hold for a few seconds.
• Have some tummy time fun, which can help your baby pass gas by lightly pressuring the belly.

When to talk to your pediatrician about baby gas

While gas is expected in babies, reaching out to your pediatrician is recommended if your baby is experiencing severe or chronic gas or gas accompanied by:

• A fever
• Signs of constipation
• A rash with diarrhea or green stool with mucus or blood

2. Colic

Babies cry, but a colicky baby cries for hours for no apparent reason. They've been fed and burped, have a clean diaper, and don’t respond to your soothing. While crying is the primary indicator of colic, a baby may also have a hard belly.

Colic indicators

Your baby may be experiencing colic if they cry for:

• More than three hours a day
• More than three days a week
• More than three weeks

Potential colic causes

While colic is a common condition in otherwise healthy babies, it’s somewhat mysterious, as experts don’t really know what causes it. Some possible causes could be:

• Babies are still learning to self-soothe
• Gas
• Food allergies such as cow’s milk protein allergy

If your baby is colicky, see your doctor. They can examine your little one and help identify what’s going on.

3. Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA)

Some babies are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk. Their immune system mistakes the proteins as a threat, triggering an allergic reaction.

Cow’s milk protein allergy indicators

A baby with cow’s milk protein allergy may have a bloated belly as well as:

• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Tummy aches and cramps
• Nausea
• Itchy red rash
• Wheezing
• Runny nose

In rare cases, cow’s milk protein can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, or difficulty breathing, which is a medical emergency.

When to see your doctor about a potential cow’s milk protein allergy

If you suspect your baby may have a cow’s milk protein allergy, see your pediatrician, who may request an allergy test. If you are formula-feeding, your pediatrician may advise you to eliminate cow’s milk protein from your baby’s diet by switching to a hypoallergenic formula. If you’re nursing, they may suggest that you avoid cow’s milk in your own diet.

While you want to help your baby feel better fast, if your little one is using formula, it’s important to not switch formulas without speaking to your doctor first. What looks like an allergy may not always be one, and some formulas may not be suitable for every baby.