Common Infant and Newborn Problems—Abdominal Pain

Also called: Bellyache

Your abdomen extends from below your chest to your groin. Some people call it the stomach, but your abdomen contains many other important organs. Pain in the abdomen can come from any one of them. The pain may start somewhere else, such as your chest. Severe pain doesn’t always mean a serious problem. Nor does mild pain mean a problem is not serious.

Call your health care provider if mild pain lasts a week or more or if you have pain with other symptoms. Get medical help immediately if

• You have abdominal pain that is sudden and sharp
• You also have pain in your chest, neck or shoulder
• You’re vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
• Your abdomen is stiff, hard and tender to touch
• You can’t move your bowels, especially if you’re also vomiting

• Abdominal pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Flank pain (Medical Encyclopedia)

It is hard when your baby is sick. Common health problems in babies include colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting. Babies also commonly have skin problems, like diaper rash or cradle cap.

Many of these problems are not serious. It is important to know how to help your sick baby, and to know the warning signs for more serious problems. Trust your intuition – if you are worried about your baby, call your health care provider right away.

• Colic and crying – self-care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Crying – excessive (0-6 months) (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Diaper rash (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Diarrhea in infants (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Newborn jaundice – discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Rash – child under 2 years (Medical Encyclopedia)
• When your baby or infant has a fever (Medical Encyclopedia)