Bloating is common for adults to experience bloating after eating salty meals or during specific times of the month. However, bloating can also affect young children. If you notice your child's tummy is round, swollen, or puffy, and feels hard to the touch, you might be wondering if they're experiencing bloating. While children might not use the term "bloating," they may complain of a tummy ache or stomach pain.

It's normal for young children to have potbellies. This is especially common after a large meal or feeding. As they grow older, their bellies will become more proportional to the rest of their bodies. However, sometimes a bloated belly can be a sign of a digestive issue. If your child's belly feels hard, they haven't had a bowel movement in a couple of days, they're vomiting, or they're passing gas more frequently than usual, it might be causing them discomfort.

Why is your child might be bloating

While it is quite common for children to experience bloating, it can cause a lot of discomfort to them. Here are some reasons why they are bloated,

Swallowing Air (Aerophagia)

Aerophagia, or swallowing excess air, is a common cause of bloating in children. This can happen when they cry excessively, eat too quickly, or have nervous habits. Symptoms of aerophagia include excessive burping, passing gas, a gurgly tummy, and belly pain.

How to help:

• Give your child over-the-counter simethicone, which can help dissolve gas bubbles.
• Teach older children deep breathing techniques to help regulate their breathing and reduce the amount of air they swallow.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can cause your child to swallow more air, such as carbonated beverages, chewing gum, and hard candies.

Constipation

Constipation is another common cause of bloating in children. When stools become hard and difficult to pass, they can build up in the intestines, leading to a bloated belly. Constipation can be caused by dehydration, a lack of fiber, or withholding bowel movements.

How to help:

• Ensure your child is drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.
• Increase their intake of fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Encourage your child to be physically active, as exercise can help stimulate bowel movements.
• Establish a regular routine for bathroom breaks to help prevent constipation.
• If your child has chronic constipation, consult with a pediatrician or gastrointestinal specialist.

Food Intolerance or Sensitivity

Food intolerances or sensitivities can be a significant cause of bloating in children. When a child consumes a food they are intolerant or sensitive to, it can cause digestive issues, including bloating and gas. Common culprits include lactose, gluten, and casein.

How to help:

• Keep a food journal to track your child's diet and identify potential triggers.
• Consult with a pediatrician to discuss possible food intolerances or sensitivities.
• Consider eliminating suspected foods from your child's diet and gradually reintroducing them to see if symptoms improve.
• If your child is suspected of having a lactose intolerance, a hydrogen breath test can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Trouble Digesting Certain Foods

Some foods can be difficult to digest and contribute to bloating. Fructose, fatty foods, beans, and cruciferous vegetables are common culprits. These foods can produce excessive gas and cause discomfort.

How to help:

• Introduce new foods to your child's diet slowly and monitor their reaction.
• Encourage your child to chew their food thoroughly to aid in digestion.
• Offer your child water instead of juice, as juice can contain high levels of fructose and contribute to bloating.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are known to cause gas, such as carbonated beverages and candies.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that can cause bloating and other digestive symptoms in children. While it is often considered an adult condition, IBS can also affect children.

How to help:

• Consult with your child's pediatrician for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
• Work with a registered dietitian to identify trigger foods and develop a personalized diet plan.
• Consider incorporating foods low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) to help reduce IBS symptoms.
• Encourage your child to manage stress, as stress can exacerbate IBS symptoms.

As World Breastfeeding Week brings attention to the nourishment of newborns, the conversation around feeding methods continues to stir debates, and often, guilt. At the heart of it lies a mother’s intent to ensure her baby thrives, yet she is often met with societal pressure to follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Is direct breastfeeding truly superior to pumping? Does choosing formula equate to failure? What about maternal well-being?

To break down these questions, we spoke to Dr. Shailly Sharma, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Faridabad, and Dr. Anjana Saxena, Senior Dietitian at PSRI Hospital, Delhi.

Breast is Best—but So is Fed

The idea that only direct breastfeeding qualifies as "best" is a common misconception. Dr. Shailly Sharma clears the air.

“The most crucial factor is that the baby receives breast milk. Whether it’s delivered directly at the breast or via a bottle (expressed milk), the nutritional and immune benefits remain largely the same,” she says.

While direct breastfeeding supports jaw development, digestion, and skin-to-skin bonding, Dr. Sharma emphasizes that pumping is an effective alternative, especially for mothers dealing with work demands, fatigue, or medical issues.

Dr. Anjana Saxena adds that, nutritionally speaking, there's only a modest difference, “Freshly expressed milk retains most of its nutrients and immune-protective components. Long storage, especially freezing, may reduce some immune factors like antibodies, but the core nutrients remain intact.”

So whether you breastfeed, pump, or both, the key is ensuring your baby is fed and healthy.

The Invisible Load: Guilt, Shame, and Emotional Toll

New mothers often find themselves navigating an emotional minefield, where breastfeeding is equated with being a ‘good mother’. The guilt of not producing enough milk or having to return to work can take a toll on their physical and mental health.

“Emotional stress, especially self-blame, can significantly affect a mother’s recovery,” explains Dr. Sharma. “It increases cortisol levels, delays healing, disrupts sleep, and may reduce milk supply further. Worse, it can impact bonding with the baby and even trigger postpartum depression.”

She advocates for “compassionate, non-judgmental support” from healthcare providers and society alike.

Dr. Saxena echoes this, “Parenting is not about perfection. When breastfeeding causes stress or health complications, choosing formula can be the healthier option, for both mother and baby.”

Can Formula Ever Compare?

While breast milk contains unique components, live antibodies, enzymes, and human milk oligosaccharides, formula has come a long way in mimicking its nutritional profile.

“Modern infant formulas are designed to closely match breast milk and meet the basic nutritional needs of infants,” says Dr. Saxena. “While they don’t contain certain bioactive compounds, they are a safe and effective alternative.”

She lists bioactives like immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin, lysozyme, and HMOs, powerful agents in human milk that boost immunity and gut health.

“Formulas today may include prebiotics and DHA, but they still fall short of replicating the dynamic nature of breast milk,” she says, adding, “This doesn’t make formula harmful, it simply means breast milk offers some extra protection.”

Still, when breastfeeding isn’t feasible, formula isn’t a compromise, it’s a responsible, sometimes life-saving, choice.

The Power of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Another overlooked element is the emotional and physiological benefit of skin-to-skin feeding, often linked with direct breastfeeding but equally valuable during bottle-feeding or pumping routines.

“Kangaroo care stabilizes the baby’s temperature and heart rate, reduces stress hormones in both mother and child, and encourages better milk let-down,” explains Dr. Sharma. “Even with expressed milk, incorporating skin-to-skin time is immensely beneficial.”

This helps nurture the parent-child bond, which contributes to overall emotional well-being, regardless of the feeding method.

When Breastfeeding Isn't an Option

Sometimes, no amount of support can overcome low milk supply. And that’s okay, say the experts.

“When a mother cannot produce sufficient milk, supplementing with formula or transitioning entirely is medically acceptable,” says Dr. Sharma. “The priority must always be nourishment and maternal well-being.”

Healthcare professionals play a vital role here. Instead of framing formula as a fallback, they should equip mothers with information on all feeding options, whether that’s formula, donor milk, or continued pumping, free from judgment.

“Mothers need clear guidance, emotional support, and respect for their choices,” she adds.

Ultimately, the debate should never overshadow the reality that every family is different. Feeding journeys can be empowering, exhausting, or even painful. But they are valid, regardless of the route taken.

Dr. Saxena puts it best, “Emotional well-being, mental health, and bonding are just as vital as physical nutrition. Mothers deserve support and compassion, not judgment.”

In a feat that’s both heartwarming and historic, 36-year-old Alyse Ogletree from Texas has broken her own Guinness World Record by donating an incredible 2,645.58 litres of breastmilk.

Her milk, donated to the Mothers’ Milk Bank in North Texas, has helped save and nourish countless premature babies, many of whom wouldn’t have survived without it. As breastfeeding awareness takes center stage this week, in the month of August, Ogletree’s story brings a renewed focus on the lifesaving value of breastmilk.

Milk of Human Kindness

Alyse, a mother of three, first realized her body produced more milk than her baby needed after her first child, Kyle, was born, 14 years ago. Initially discarding the excess milk, she was introduced to the concept of milk donation by a nurse. That small moment led to a life-altering decision.

Since then, she has made it her mission to help other mothers and fragile infants who cannot access breastmilk. “I have a big heart,” she told the Guinness World Records. “I’m not made of money, and I can’t donate money to every cause. But I can donate what I have plenty of, milk.”

An Impact Measured in Lives

According to the Mothers’ Milk Bank, just one litre of breastmilk can help nourish up to 11 premature newborns. By that math, Ogletree’s contribution could have helped nearly 350,000 babies. Her extraordinary effort is not just a number, it’s a massive public health intervention and a testament to how individual generosity can ripple into nationwide impact.

Breastmilk offers crucial immunity, nutrients, and protection against infections, especially for preemies. For these infants, every drop truly counts.

Balancing Family, Pumping, and Purpose

Ogletree isn’t just a record-breaker, she’s also a full-time mom to Kyle, now 14, Kage (12), and Kory (7), and has even donated milk while serving as a surrogate mother. She credits her consistent donation success to a balanced lifestyle: staying hydrated, eating well, and sticking to a strict pumping schedule.

Despite never being diagnosed with any hormonal condition to explain her overproduction, she believes her body simply found its purpose. “It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” she said. “To know that something my body naturally produces can save lives.”

Beyond setting records, Ogletree is determined to educate and inspire others. She wants mothers to know that breastmilk, even in surplus, should never go to waste, and that donating is easier than many realize.

Her story comes at a critical time. Breastfeeding rates remain inconsistent globally, and many mothers stop early due to lack of support, misinformation, or physical difficulty. Ogletree’s message is simple but powerful: every drop matters, and giving—even a little—can be lifesaving.

As the world observes Breastfeeding Week, Ogletree’s record is more than a headline, it’s a call to action.

In what’s believed to be a world record, a baby boy born last week in Tennessee developed from an embryo that had been frozen for more than 30 years. The child’s parents, Lindsey and Tim Pierce from Ohio, welcomed their son after years of infertility, thanks to an embryo that had been stored since 1994, for a staggering 11,148 days.

The birth, confirmed by their doctor as the longest known frozen embryo to result in a live birth, is more than just a medical milestone. It is a deeply human story about hope, difficult choices, and the quiet lives of embryos waiting in storage.

Three Little Hopes

The embryo came from Linda Archerd, a 62-year-old woman in Oregon who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) over three decades ago. After giving birth to a daughter in the 1990s and later going through a divorce, she was left with four remaining embryos. For years, she struggled with what to do with them.

“I felt all along that these three little hopes, these little embryos, deserved to live just like my daughter did,” Archerd said.

Unable to discard them and burdened by rising storage fees, she eventually connected with Snowflakes, a division of Nightlight Christian Adoptions that facilitates embryo donations. Snowflakes allowed Archerd to choose the adopting family and maintain some openness in the process, a priority for her.

“I wanted to be a part of this baby’s life,” she said. “And I wanted to know the adopting parents.”

A Long Journey, Frozen in Time

The process wasn’t simple. Archerd had to track down her original IVF clinic in Oregon, retrieve decades-old paper records, and coordinate the shipment of the embryos to Rejoice Fertility, a clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee. Rejoice is known for its willingness to work with older embryos and for its refusal to discard them.

Of the three embryos donated, one didn’t survive the thaw. Two were transferred into Lindsey Pierce’s womb, and one successfully implanted, leading to a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Dr. John David Gordon, the Pierces’ physician, called the birth historic. He also helped oversee a similar case in 2022, when siblings Lydia and Timothy Ridgeway were born from embryos frozen for 10,905 days.

“These stories always capture the imagination,” Gordon said. “But they also raise an important question, why are there still so many embryos sitting in storage?”

The Bigger Picture

The Pierce family is not alone in navigating this path. Experts estimate around 1.5 million frozen embryos are stored across the United States. While only about 2 percent of all U.S. births involve IVF, embryo adoption represents an even smaller share.

The issue is growing more complex, particularly after a 2024 Alabama Supreme Court ruling granted frozen embryos legal status as children. The decision has sparked legal uncertainty and renewed ethical debates about embryo storage, use, and destruction.

For Lindsey and Tim Pierce, though, this moment is about gratitude and new beginnings.

“We didn’t go into this thinking about records,” Lindsey said. “We just wanted to have a baby.”

A Shared Miracle

Archerd is still coming to terms with the experience, equal parts joy, sadness, and hope. She has already received photos from the Pierces and dreams of meeting them and the baby in person.

“I’m hoping they’ll send more pictures,” she said. “And maybe, one day, I’ll get to meet them. That would be a dream come true.”