How Do You Know If Your Baby Has Digestive Problems?

It can be difficult to know if your baby has digestive problems that you should be worried about when they develop symptoms. Minor episodes of feeding intolerance, tummy upset, and gas are common during the first few months. Regardless, when a baby develops digestive symptoms, it is important to discuss it with a doctor.

Some signs that could indicate a digestive problem in a baby include:

• Problems passing their first bowel movement because of extremely thick and sticky meconium
• Projectile vomiting
• Spitting up large amounts of milk frequently after feedings
• Discolored vomit or vomit that is mostly bile
• Frequent gagging and choking during feedings
• Problems breathing
• Refusal of feedings
• Diarrhea or loose bowel movements
• Extremely tender and bloated abdomen
• And more

Possible Digestive Issues in Infants

If your baby has vomiting or diarrhea, it is important to talk to a doctor about it as soon as you can. Babies become dehydrated very quickly. Other feeding issues may cause malnutrition or inhibit growth. If your child has any symptoms of an intestinal blockage, such as a tender abdomen, blood in the stool, and vomiting bile, it may be a medical emergency.

One of the possible digestive problems in babies is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In babies, GERD can cause stomach acid and milk to be regurgitated. This can cause pain and irritation in the esophagus. Your child’s doctor may prescribe medication or recommend other forms of treatment for this condition.

Colic is another common concern that may be related to a digestive problem. Colic is a condition that includes prolonged, excessive crying in a child under about four3 months of age. Colic may be related to gas, which a doctor may be able to give you advice on how to treat.

There are many other underlying conditions that could cause digestive problems that your child should be examined for.

Getting to the Bottom of Your Child’s Digestive Symptoms

The best way to know if your baby has digestive problems is to take them to see a doctor as soon as possible about your concerns. Since you do not know if your child has an emergent medical condition, it is imperative to see a doctor and get a diagnosis quickly. This way, you can begin treatment before it causes more problems.

Your doctor or the treating physician in the emergency department may take steps to learn more about the baby’s symptoms, how long they have had the symptoms, and when they occur. This may allow them to make a differential diagnosis, narrowing down the possibilities.

Medical imaging or laboratory testing may be used to confirm a diagnosis. Only once they confirm a diagnosis can treatment begin. Treatment may be vital to stop serious complications, ensure your child is getting proper nutrition, and help stop their pain.

Digestive Problems and Medical Malpractice Cases

In some cases, your child’s digestive problems could support a medical malpractice case. This may occur if:

• The child suffered a birth injury that caused problems feeding
• The doctor missed an early diagnosis of a condition that later caused the child’s symptoms
• The doctor failed to diagnose the child when you reported their symptoms
• The doctor misdiagnosed the baby when you reported their symptoms
• The doctor failed to properly treat a digestive problem

There may be other ways that a doctor’s negligence or the negligence of a hospital or another medical care provider can cause your child to suffer injuries, complications, or a preventable medical condition.

Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today

If you believe your child’s condition or the problems you went through to get a diagnosis and treatment may support a medical malpractice claim, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today. We represent families nationwide in settlement negotiations and medical malpractice lawsuits. We may be able to help your family recover your current and future medical expenses, as well as lost wages and pain and suffering.

For a free case consultation on your case with a member of our team, call

(800) 222-9529 today. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group represents clients on a contingency-fee basis with no up-front payment required. This means that we do not collect attorney fees unless you recover compensation.