Home Remedies for Infant Belly Ache: Natural Tamil Methods

Why Babies Get Stomach Pain or Colic

Infant belly ache or colic is very common, especially in newborns and young babies. There are several reasons why your baby might experience stomach discomfort:

• Immature digestive system: A newborn’s stomach and intestines are still developing, which can lead to gas and bloating.
• Swallowing air while feeding: Babies can swallow air during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, causing gas buildup.
• Sensitivity to certain foods: If the mother is breastfeeding, some foods in her diet may affect the baby’s digestion.
• Colic: Colic is a condition where babies cry for several hours a day due to stomach discomfort, usually without any underlying illness.
• Vitamin or supplement reactions: Sometimes, vitamin D drops or other supplements may upset a baby’s stomach.

Newborn Stomach Pain Home Remedy Using Kaayam

This is the exact method traditionally followed in our home to ease an infant’s stomach pain, gas trouble, or mild colic discomfort:

Fill the paladai (sangu) halfway with breast milk. Take a tiny piece of kaayam (asafoetida / hing) and rub it gently inside the paladai until the milk changes color slightly. This light color change shows that a small amount of kaayam has blended well with the milk — just enough for the remedy.

Once prepared, feed this milk to the baby using the paladai (sangu). This traditional home remedy supports better digestion, reduces gas buildup, and helps soothe stomach ache in newborns and infants.

This gentle natural method has been used in our family for generations — for me, my sister, and even for my own child.

Why Infants With Stomach Pain Respond Well to Kaayam

Kaayam (asafoetida) has been used in many Indian households for generations because of its natural ability to support digestion. Even a tiny amount, when mixed lightly with breast milk, can help reduce gas formation and ease stomach discomfort in newborns and infants.

Kaayam has strong carminative properties, meaning it helps release trapped gas — one of the most common causes of stomach pain in babies. When prepared in this gentle diluted form, it supports smooth digestion without irritating the baby’s tummy.

For infants with stomach pain, gas trouble, or mild colic symptoms, this simple natural remedy often provides quick and effective relief.

Is Kaayam Safe for Infants? Important Precautions for Parents

Kaayam can be safe for newborns when used in extremely small, diluted amounts, as part of a traditional home remedy. However, parents should follow a few important precautions:

• Use only a trace amount of kaayam — babies need just the lightest touch, not a full pinch.
• Always mix it with breast milk, never give kaayam directly or in concentrated form.
• Do not use daily. This remedy is meant for occasional use when the baby shows discomfort.
• Avoid if your baby has allergies, rashes, or sensitivity to strong smells.
• Do not apply kaayam on the baby’s skin, especially the stomach — it may cause irritation.
• Consult a pediatrician if stomach pain is frequent, severe, or accompanied by vomiting or fever.

Home Remedies for Colic Pain in Infants

If your baby's discomfort is due to colic—prolonged periods of crying and fussiness—the same trusted remedies can bring relief. Both the Kaayam method and the leg-cycling exercise are particularly effective as home remedies for colic pain in infants, helping to ease gas buildup and calm the digestive system.

Benefits of Kaayam for Infant Stomach Pain

This traditional method is often trusted as a gentle natural remedy for infant gas because kaayam works quickly even in very small, diluted quantities. Some of the commonly observed benefits include:

• Helps release trapped gas – one of the main reasons behind newborn stomach pain.
• Reduces bloating and discomfort – supporting calmer feeding and sleep.
• Improves digestion in infants – making it useful as a simple home remedy for newborn stomach pain.
• Requires only a trace amount – making it safe when used in the traditional diluted method.
• Quick relief – many parents notice that the baby settles soon after giving the remedy.
• Trusted for generations – families commonly rely on kaayam for baby gas relief due to its proven carminative properties.

How to Relieve Newborn Stomach Pain: More Home Remedies

While kaayam is a trusted traditional remedy, there are a few other gentle and safe methods that many parents use to ease infant stomach pain, gas trouble, and bloating. These methods are mild, natural, and suitable for newborns when done correctly.

1. Warm Tummy Compress

A slightly warm (not hot) cloth placed on the baby’s stomach can help relax abdominal muscles and release trapped gas.

• Helps reduce mild stomach cramps
• Provides quick comfort to fussy newborns
• Always test the temperature on your wrist before using

2. Gentle Tummy Massage

A light clockwise massage around the navel area supports digestion and helps move gas through the intestines.

• Use soft circular motions
• Keep pressure very light
• Works well when the baby is already calm

3. Burping After Every Feed

Many cases of infant stomach ache are due to swallowed air during feeding.

• Hold the baby upright on your shoulder
• Gently pat the back until a burp is released
• Prevents gas buildup and discomfort

4. How to Relieve Gas Pain in a Newborn Baby: Leg-Cycling Exercise

The “leg cycling” method is one of the most effective natural ways to release trapped gas in infants. It gently moves the baby’s lower abdomen and helps ease discomfort.

• Lay the baby on their back
• Hold their legs softly
• Move them in a gentle cycling motion
• Avoid lifting the legs too high

This simple movement helps stimulate digestion, reduces gas buildup, and offers quick infant stomach ache relief. Many parents use this method regularly, especially after feeds.

Precautions to Follow When Using Kaayam for Infant Stomach Pain

Even though kaayam is a traditional and gentle remedy, it must be used with extra care for newborns and infants. Follow these precautions to ensure the remedy is safe and effective:

• Use only a tiny amount of kaayam. For newborns, the amount that dissolves from gentle rubbing is enough. Never add a direct pinch into the milk.
• Prepare it only with breast milk and avoid mixing with formula or cow’s milk for this remedy.
• Check the baby for sensitivity. If you notice unusual fussiness, discomfort, or rash after the remedy, discontinue and consult a doctor.
• Do not use daily. This remedy is meant only for occasional infant stomach ache relief, not for everyday use.
• **Use clean utensils such as a paladai (sangu) if you prefer traditional methods, but this is optional — any clean, hygienic bowl works.
• Avoid kaayam products with additives such as wheat flour or gum. Pure, small, natural pieces are safest.

Frequently Asked Questions