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Infantile colic
What should I do if a baby with colic won't sleep?
If an infant suffers from colic and has difficulty sleeping, treatment of the underlying condition should be conducted. It is essential to first understand the causes of colic, which are primarily due to the immature digestive system of the baby. If poor digestion leads to excessive intestinal gas and subsequently causes rapid intestinal movements, it may result in discomfort in the abdominal nerves, thus causing colic. The main treatments for colic should involve both diet and medication. In terms of diet, it is advisable to choose light, liquid-based, and easily digestible foods. It is also important to avoid overeating, opting instead for smaller, more frequent meals. Moreover, the use of probiotics and certain traditional Chinese medicinal formulations can help regulate the function of the spleen and stomach, aiding digestion and absorption. Additionally, abdominal massages can stimulate intestinal movements, facilitating the expulsion of gas and easing bowel movements, thereby potentially reducing the incidence of colic.
Symptoms timing of infantile colic
Infant colic is generally more common at night. Most children are prone to this condition at around one to two months or two to three months of age. Sometimes, they suddenly cry out loud while sleeping at night. In such cases, feeding the child often does not help. Some babies may exhibit severe bloating and a very red face, continuing to cry inconsolably. When colic occurs, parents can use warm compresses to relieve the child's discomfort. You can apply a warm towel to the child's abdomen, hold the baby in an "airplane" hold, or massage the child around the navel, clockwise for ten minutes at a time, to provide relief. If the child still experiences intestinal pain and cries excessively without passing gas, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.
What to do about infantile colic?
If a baby experiences colic, it can often be alleviated through the following methods. First, abdominal massage can be used; parents can hold the baby and massage around the navel with both hands to improve gastrointestinal function and reduce rapid intestinal movements. Additionally, applying heat to the abdomen, using a hot water bottle or a warm towel, can also be effective. If the baby has bloating, using a soap stick or enema to help the baby expel gas can also relieve symptoms of abdominal pain. If these measures do not alleviate the baby's pain and discomfort, then it is necessary to visit the hospital for a pediatrician to perform a physical examination and assist with related imaging studies for differential diagnosis.
How to determine if a baby has colic or is just gassy
It is very easy to distinguish whether a child has intestinal colic or bloating, although both are gastrointestinal diseases. With intestinal colic, children usually experience high levels of abdominal pain, while bloating generally does not involve pain, with children typically only showing signs of abdominal distension. Additionally, children with bloating often burp, and these burps can have a sour smell; they may also experience decreased appetite, and possibly symptoms like nausea and vomiting, making it easy to differentiate the two conditions. When a child has intestinal colic, it can be alleviated by applying heat to the abdomen or gently massaging the child's stomach. For bloating, relief can be found through taking medication that promotes digestion.
How to determine if a baby has colic
Intestinal colic is a very common symptom in babies. It can be caused by both physiological and pathological reasons. Physiological reasons generally include improper feeding, a cold stomach, or excessive hunger. Pathological reasons typically involve acute gastroenteritis, indigestion, and so on. Intestinal colic usually occurs in the evening or at night and has a sudden onset. Mild cases may present with loss of appetite, incessant crying, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases can exhibit symptoms such as high fever, bloody stools, and even confusion. Therefore, when diagnosing intestinal colic, it is necessary to go to the hospital for relevant examinations to rule out surgical conditions. Intestinal colic is generally manageable and can be relieved with appropriate treatment. It is important to keep the baby's stomach warm, avoid overeating and binge eating, and maintain cleanliness and hygiene in their diet.
Will a baby's stomach make noises if they have colic?
When a child experiences intestinal colic, they often experience severe abdominal pain, and may exhibit behaviors like crying or discomfort. They might also kick around, but usually, there will not be noises of rumbling in the stomach. The rumbling sounds in a child's stomach are usually due to reasons like indigestion which cause the sounds of gastrointestinal motility. When a child eats too quickly and a large amount of air enters the stomach, it can lead to this phenomenon. If the child has started on solid foods, consuming foods that produce a lot of gas can also cause these symptoms. If the child does not show other symptoms such as diarrhea, special treatment is generally not necessary.
What to do about baby colic?
When a baby experiences colic, it is important to massage their abdomen in a clockwise direction. Start by applying a warm compress to the baby's belly, followed by a clockwise abdominal massage for ten minutes each time, three times a day. You can also hold the child in an "airplane hold." Regularly ensure enhanced care to avoid the baby's abdomen getting cold. For babies under six months, the mother's diet should be light and easy to digest. Avoid overly greasy, spicy, or cold foods. Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, kiwi, and apples. If the baby is over six months old, it's essential to manage their diet with smaller, more frequent meals.
How to deal with colic in a 40-day-old baby?
It is very common for babies to experience intestinal colic, especially because the gastrointestinal system of a 40-day-old baby is not yet fully developed. In such cases, you can perform a clockwise massage on the child's abdomen, centered around the navel, for ten minutes each time. You can also do some gas relief exercises for the child, which are beneficial in alleviating intestinal colic. Additionally, you can hold the child in an airplane hold, or use a warm towel to apply heat to the baby's abdomen to relieve intestinal spasms and colic. If the baby's intestinal colic remains particularly severe, it may be necessary to administer some medications that adjust the intestinal flora. Also, it is advisable to engage the child in more outdoor activities to prevent crying due to calcium deficiency.
How long does infant colic last?
The duration of colic in each baby varies. It is brief, lasting only a few seconds in mild cases, and can extend to several minutes or even longer in severe instances. Symptoms of colic include paroxysmal crying, decreased appetite, and restless sleep at night. Colic generally occurs in babies around six months old. At this stage, a baby's gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed, and the introduction of solid foods can make digestion difficult, leading to gas and bloating. If a baby experiences intestinal gas, this can lead to colic. To help relieve this, you can perform gas relief exercises with your baby, such as clockwise abdominal massage, which helps release the gas inside the intestines and alleviate colic. Additionally, administering probiotics to the baby can help regulate intestinal flora. If the gas is prominent, simethicone can be orally administered to absorb excess gas in the intestines and relieve pain. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)
Can infantile colic cause constipation?
Infantile colic can cause constipation. It is first important to understand that colic is caused by abnormal intestinal movements and stimulation of the intestinal mucosa, leading to pain symptoms. This is often due to increased intestinal gas or constipation, which disrupt normal intestinal movements and thus also cause symptoms of constipation. In such cases, one can first try abdominal massage to promote intestinal movements and help the expulsion of gas and stool, thereby alleviating symptoms. Additionally, taking probiotics orally can regulate gastrointestinal function and aid in digestion and absorption. Attention should also be paid to dietary adjustments, preferably eating light and easily digestible food to reduce the production of intestinal gas and alleviate its symptoms. If symptoms persist for a long time without significant relief, it is still necessary to have a specialist doctor examine and prescribe medication accordingly.