The baby was born quite recently and by all accountsAccording to the canons, a baby should spend most of his time in a sweet dream. However, for some reason, contrary to the parent's expectations, the baby periodically cries bitterly and inconsolably, kicks his legs and groans, and his face expresses simply universal grief. The parents try their best to correct the situation and calm their beloved baby as quickly as possible. And for a moment it may seem to them that they have succeeded - the child calms down. But only a few minutes pass and a desperate cry is heard again. Neither the pacifier nor the mother's breast helps. And when the parents are already on the verge of despair, the child suddenly falls asleep. A similar picture is well known to a huge number of parents whose children have already grown up. But the "newly made" mom and dad are very scared. But this is nothing more than intestinal colic, the symptoms of which are very specific. Unfortunately, in the first few months of life, even in absolutely healthy children, intestinal colic is not such a rare occurrence. Intestinal colic at this age is a consequence of a functional digestive disorder. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon that occurs due to the still insufficient amount of digestive enzymes. The digestive system matures by the end of the 3rd - 4th month of a child's life. And that is why other disorders make themselves known - flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, regurgitation. In essence, intestinal colic in infants is a spasmodic contraction of the intestinal loops, which is provoked by excessive accumulation of gases and their difficult passage. There are several additional factors that can cause intestinal colic in an infant:

• Lactose (milk sugar)

A child's body is often unable to fullydigest and assimilate milk sugar, which is found in both breast milk and formula. This phenomenon is observed in more than half of all babies.

• Introduction of artificial milk mixtures

Unfortunately, mothers do not always succeedmaintain breastfeeding, and not always for reasons beyond their control. And the introduction of artificial milk formulas very often provokes the development of intestinal colic. Therefore, if you have to introduce formula, consult your doctor in advance about the brand of food.

• General physiological immaturity of the child's organism

Difficulty in passing gases, as well as theirexcessive formation, very often occurs due to physiological immaturity. As a rule, this is typical for those babies who were born too quickly. Or if the child was born with too little weight.

• Binge eating

As trivial as it may seem, but approximatelyIn half of all cases, the cause of frequent intestinal colic is the banal overeating of the baby. And this is not surprising - after all, every mother wants the baby to eat well and gain weight. And that is why sometimes they overdo it. It is very important to strictly monitor the size of the baby's portion. But pay attention - this only applies to those children who receive artificial formula.

• Breaking the diet of a nursing woman

This should never be overlookedan important point, like the diet of a nursing mother. If a woman eats prohibited foods, the likelihood of the child developing intestinal colic increases rapidly. Such products include: coffee, cocoa, chocolate, cabbage, legumes, fried, smoked and spicy dishes. Your pediatrician will provide you with more detailed information.

• Diseases of internal organs

In some cases – quite rarely – the appearanceintestinal colic indicates the presence of some diseases of the internal organs, or hormonal disorders. That is why doctors insist on a mandatory examination of such babies. The doctor will examine the baby, give the necessary consultations, and, if necessary, refer the baby to narrow specialists for further treatment.

Mom, it hurts!

Let's talk in more detail about those symptoms,which will allow us to assume that the child has intestinal colic. And although it is quite difficult to confuse intestinal colic with anything else, it will not be superfluous to consider the symptoms of the disease once again:

• Strong baby crying

The baby suddenly starts screaming shrilly,as from a severe pain attack. Crying is very specific - parents will easily distinguish it from the usual discontent or whims of the baby. Even if they do not have any experience behind them. As a rule, crying lasts for quite a long time - up to 3-4 hours. In between intestinal colic, the child sleeps peacefully. But during a crying attack, as already mentioned above, it is almost impossible to calm the child. The time is also very typical for crying during intestinal colic - as a rule, the baby begins to cry in the evening or at night. But, of course, attacks can also happen during the day.

• Position of the child's body

During intestinal colic, the child takes a typical body position - pulls his legs up to his stomach, periodically moves them quite actively, and pulls them up again.

• Expression of a baby's face

During an attack of intestinal colic, the baby's face is very tense, very red, and the eyes are closed. And this facial expression remains until the end of the attack.

• Bloating

Because of the accumulation of fluid in the baby's bellya large amount of gases, it feels hard and tense. Some parents jokingly compare it to a balloon. IMPORTANT! Remember that neither vomiting, nor diarrhea, nor especially high temperature are symptoms of intestinal colic. And if your baby has at least one of the above symptoms, show the child to the doctor as soon as possible. If it happens in the evening or at night, do not wait until the morning - call an ambulance team immediately.

To my tummy is not sick!

Of course, parents are very scared,watching the attacks of the baby. And this is not surprising - after all, it is very difficult to watch your child cry. However, doctors say that if intestinal colic in newborns is a reaction to nutrition, or a specific feature of the child's body, they do not pose any serious threat to the child's health. But, of course, in no case should you ignore the crying of a child. And it is unlikely that anyone will succeed, right? Therefore, let's try to figure out what exactly can help reduce the risk of developing intestinal colic.

• Correctly we select nipples and small bottles

In case your baby receivesartificial formula, pay special attention to nipples and bottles. There is a special type of "anti-colic" nipples and bottles. They allow you to properly regulate the flow of the formula, depending on the speed of the baby's sucking. This eliminates the situation in which the baby simply chokes and swallows air. But this factor significantly increases the risk of developing intestinal colic.

• Feeding rules

It is very important how exactly feeding takes place. Feeding should take place in the most calm environment possible so that the child is not distracted.

• Posture of the baby after feeding

A good preventative measure isa certain body position after feeding. Doctors recommend holding the baby in an upright position for about 10 minutes immediately after feeding. And you should do this even if the baby has fallen asleep. You are unlikely to wake him up.

To the tummies do not hurt

But if the attack still could not be avoided,You can try several ways to ease the baby's condition. All these methods are completely safe for the child, so they can be used without fear. But only if it is reliably known that the child suffers from intestinal colic:

• Carry the child in your arms

During an attack, if the temperature in the roomallows, undress the baby, take him in your arms and press his tummy to your skin. Doctors say that tactile contact of the baby with the parents significantly eases his condition. Gases pass much faster, and the baby cries less.

• Tummy massage, exercises

Another way to ease the child's conditionDuring an attack of intestinal colic, a tummy massage and gymnastic exercises are used. Place the baby on his back, lubricate your fingers with baby oil and begin to massage him in a circle, clockwise, with light pressure. After 2-3 minutes, press the baby's legs tightly to his stomach, bending them at the knees. There should be at least 5 such approaches. When performing all manipulations, remember to be careful.

• Laying the baby on the stomach

In addition to massage and gymnastics for preventionIn order to prevent intestinal colic, doctors recommend regularly placing the baby on his stomach. However, do not place the baby on his stomach in the first half hour after feeding - otherwise, severe regurgitation is possible, and sometimes even vomiting. And this is clearly not our goal.

• Warm bath

Very often experienced parents during attacksintestinal colic in a baby, resort to the help of a warm bath. Place the child in warm water, while stroking the baby's tummy clockwise. However, you should not overuse water procedures - a maximum of 20 minutes. Otherwise, there is a very high probability of the baby becoming nervous.

• Warm diaper

There is one secret that has been tested for decades.Take a flannel diaper, iron it and apply it to the baby's tummy for a few minutes. Be sure to make sure that the diaper is not too hot. Very often, such a maneuver helps to completely relieve the attack. But once again, we draw your attention to the fact that this can only be done if the child has intestinal colic. In all other cases, heat for abdominal pain is strictly contraindicated and very dangerous.

• Decoction of fennel

Dill decoction is very useful in this situation.It is very easy to prepare - place 5 grams of dill seeds in a thermos, pour 100 grams of boiling water over it. It is necessary to insist at least three hours, then strain with gauze. A baby should drink about 100 grams of such an infusion per day, previously diluted with baby drinking water. You can also use baby teas with dill or fennel of industrial production.

• Flue gas duct

Our parents also appreciated the beauty of thisinventions of mankind, such as a gas tube. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult to find them in a pharmacy lately. But if you cannot find a ready-made tube, you can make one yourself. To do this, buy a baby enema (No. 1) and cut off its arch. Be sure to boil it before use. Lubricate the tip with Vaseline or boiled sunflower oil and very carefully insert it into the anus by about three centimeters. During the procedure, it is advisable to press the baby's legs to his tummy. The baby should remain in this position for about 15 minutes. Very often, such a procedure, carried out at the very beginning of an attack, helps to stop it. Both parents and the baby will be able to sleep peacefully all night.

• Pharmacological agents

There are quite a large numbervarious medicines. However, you should not repeat the mistakes of many parents and buy the first medicine you come across at the pharmacy just because it helped a friend's child or was advertised. All medicines should be selected by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of each specific child. The medicine that will help one child will be ineffective for another. With the birth of your baby, your new life as parents is just beginning. And this life is very interesting, full of unexpected discoveries and positive feelings. But there will also be a lot of anxiety in it. And intestinal colic in an infant is just a drop in the ocean. But if you have the necessary information, these difficulties will not frighten you. You will easily help your baby. And after a very short time, you will remember these first fears and worries with a smile! We recommend reading:

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