When does the baby's stomach develop?

The stomach is a very important organ in our body, and all diets depend on the support of stomach function. The organs in our body are constantly developing and taking shape. In the beginning, the gastrointestinal function of the baby is very limited, and he cannot eat most things. As the various systems gradually mature, he can slowly accept more and more things. So, when does the baby's stomach develop well? Let's take a look below.

Therefore, babies should pay attention to nourishing their stomachs from the beginning of adding complementary foods. The process of adding complementary foods should follow the principles of from thin to thick, from single to diverse, from little to more, and from fine to coarse. If complementary foods are added too frequently and too quickly, and the baby has not yet accepted one food, and new things are added, this will also cause gastrointestinal discomfort in the baby.

Four months after birth, the gastrointestinal system of babies begins to mature gradually and increases the secretion of digestive enzymes, which can break down large molecular foods such as fats, proteins, sugars, etc., and help the stomach and intestines absorb nutrients. By the age of 2 or 3, the gastrointestinal function is basically fully developed.

When a baby is just born, the sphincter of the cardia of the stomach is not strong enough to completely close the stomach. If the baby is allowed to lie down directly after drinking milk or if the baby drinks too much milk and causes bloating, gastroesophageal reflux is likely to occur. Once the milk flows back from the stomach to the mouth, it will cause milk regurgitation. Usually the situation will gradually improve after the baby is 4 months old. If the baby's spit-up is severe, it may affect the growth and development.

Basically, bloating will occur once the baby consumes breast milk or dairy products. However, as long as the baby does not feel uncomfortable or cry, in principle you can just use massage, burping, etc. to wait for the baby to expel the gas naturally.

Among the common gastrointestinal problems in infants and young children, constipation can be said to be a symptom with a low incidence rate. Only about less than 10% of newborns will have constipation problems. Usually, it is because they are not able to control the sphincter at the anus and cannot smoothly excrete feces from the body. Newborns under 2 months old are more likely to suffer from constipation.

1. At what age does the baby's stomach develop fully?

Babies grow and develop quickly, have active metabolism, and have a high demand for nutrients. Generally speaking, the intestinal development of babies is basically close to that of adults before school age, which is when they are 6 or 8 years old. The contradictions of an immature digestive system can easily lead to digestive disorders and intestinal problems.

At what age does the baby's stomach develop completely

Therefore, babies should pay attention to nourishing their stomachs from the beginning of adding complementary foods. The process of adding complementary foods should follow the principles of from thin to thick, from single to diverse, from little to more, and from fine to coarse. If complementary foods are added too frequently and too quickly, and the baby has not yet accepted one food, and new things are added, this will also cause gastrointestinal discomfort in the baby.

2. The development of the baby's stomach and intestines

2.1. Infants aged 0 to 4 months

The gastrointestinal structure of a newborn is actually not much different from that of an average adult. The main difference is that the digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines only begin to develop gradually 4 months after birth. Therefore, for babies under 4 months old, breast milk is the best source of nutrition to absorb and digest. Formula milk is recommended only when breast milk is insufficient.

2.2 Infants and young children aged 4 months to 3 years

Four months after birth, the gastrointestinal system of babies begins to mature gradually and increases the secretion of digestive enzymes, which can break down large molecular foods such as fats, proteins, sugars, etc., and help the stomach and intestines absorb nutrients. By the age of 2 or 3, the gastrointestinal function is basically fully developed.

3. What are the gastrointestinal problems that babies are prone to?

3.1 Vomiting

When a baby is just born, the sphincter of the cardia of the stomach is not strong enough to completely close the stomach. If the baby is allowed to lie down directly after drinking milk or if the baby drinks too much milk and causes bloating, gastroesophageal reflux is likely to occur. Once the milk flows back from the stomach to the mouth, it will cause milk regurgitation. Usually the situation will gradually improve after the baby is 4 months old. If the baby's spit-up is severe, it may affect the growth and development.

3.2 Flatulence

Basically, bloating will occur once the baby consumes breast milk or dairy products. However, as long as the baby does not feel uncomfortable or cry, in principle you can just use massage, burping, etc. to wait for the baby to expel the gas naturally.

3.3 Constipation

Among the common gastrointestinal problems in infants and young children, constipation can be said to be a symptom with a lower incidence rate. Only about less than 10% of newborns will have constipation problems. Usually, it is because they are not able to control the sphincter at the anus and cannot smoothly excrete feces from the body. Newborns under 2 months old are more likely to suffer from constipation.

How to protect your baby's gastrointestinal health

1. Balanced and nutritious diet

In summer, you should not eat too much raw and cold food. Instead, you can eat light, refreshing, protein-rich and easily digestible food. Limit the intake of greasy and high-sugar foods, and drink more millet porridge, carrot puree, steamed apple puree, etc. which are good for the spleen and stomach. Let your baby eat more fresh seasonal vegetables. Adding mashed garlic to the dishes can help prevent intestinal infectious diseases. Alternatively, adding some vinegar to the dishes can also increase your baby's appetite and help digestion and absorption.

2. Maintain personal hygiene in the room

As the saying goes, "Diseases come from the mouth." To prevent gastrointestinal diseases, you must ensure your baby's personal hygiene, do not let your baby eat leftovers, wash hands before and after meals, and develop good hygiene habits. The home environment should also be kept clean and ventilated regularly. In addition, it is also a good choice to let your baby go outdoors more often, participate in activities to exercise and improve immunity.

What are the symptoms of a baby's stomach upset?

1. Loss of appetite. If you find that your baby has abnormal eating habits, such as loss of appetite or even vomiting and regurgitation of milk, it proves that there is a problem with the baby's stomach and intestines.

At what age does the baby's stomach develop completely

2. Bad breath. When the stomach and intestines are not in good condition, food will be retained in the esophagus and difficult to be discharged, which will cause bad breath symptoms.

3. Abdominal pain. When a baby has abdominal pain, he or she will cry because he or she cannot express it. Therefore, you should pay more attention when the baby cries unreasonably.

4. Foul-smelling stool. Under normal circumstances, the baby's stool will be easier to pass. When there is constipation or foul-smelling stool, it is likely due to gastrointestinal discomfort.