Many parents
find that there's no greater stress than observing the crying of a newborn.
Colic typically results in long periods of crying. It can be very stressful for
parents, friends and relatives who are experiencing an experience that is one
of the most satisfying yet stressful events in life: a newborn baby in the
home.
FEW
THINGS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLIC IN INFANTS
* Colic is
self-limiting and episodic.
* Studies
indicate that colic is a problem for 5% to 40 per cent of infants worldwide and
accounts for 10-20 percent of health care providers' visits in the first days
of an infant's life.
*
Overfeeding, juices that are not diluted or food sensitivities, as well as
emotional stress, can cause colic to worsen.
* It is
crucial that a physician evaluate the baby who is experiencing abdominal pain
or crying to determine if there are other conditions that could be more
serious.
* Do not
give infants any medicines or other treatments until they've been cleared by
the medical professional treating the child.
What is
COLIC? What causes COLIC in babies?
The medical profession
and Chughtai
lab test has recognized infantile colic for a lengthy duration. In 1954
doctor well-known New Haven pediatrician, defined colic in infants to be one whom,
while otherwise healthful and fed well, suffered from episodes of irritability.
Agitation or
crying with no apparent reason that lasted for at least three hours per day and
that occurred on more than three consecutive days in any week over three
weeks." The only alteration (Rome IV requirements) of the original
"Rule of Three" is the fact that the duration of colic now is
"one plus week."
It is
important to keep in mind that not all babies who are fussy suffer from colic.
Most infants cry for between two and three hours each day. However, the crying
is spread throughout the 24 hours.
What are
COLIC SYMPTOMS AND OTHER Anger IN Babies?
The crying
or fussing often occurs suddenly and usually after a meal. The cry is loud,
high-pitched, and constant and lasts up to 4 hours. The baby's face can be red
or flushed. The belly can be distended or visible, and legs alternate between
being stretched straight out and flexed. The feet are usually cold, and the
hands are tightly squeezed.
Though they
can happen at any point during the day or at night, the episodes generally
start in the afternoon or early evening, right when caregivers or parents are
exhausted. Certain babies are more susceptible to infantile colic than others.
If both parents had colic, their baby is more likely to suffer. Colic in
infants usually begins around 2-3 weeks of age. It peaks at two months, then
diminishes after three months and disappears by three quarters to 4 months of
age.
The problem
is that, even though many infants suffer from colic, and a lot of lab
test online reports research has been conducted on the subject, there
is no known cause for colic that has been proven. A few studies revealed no
identifiable reason for the quarter of infants who experienced colicky
episodes. This is a huge disappointment for parents everywhere.
Many
factors could make the symptoms worse for all babies with colicky:
1. To soothe
the crying
2. Consuming
certain food items, particularly ones with high sugar content (for instance,
undiluted juices), could increase the quantity of gas in the intestines and
aggravate the problem.
3. Excessive
Anger or anxiety, fear or exuberance in the home
4. Numerous
other factors that are not yet understood
What
remedies can help babies with COLIC?
It is a
prevalent issue (around 40% of infants have colic). Talk about any issues with
your child's pediatrician, and speak with other parents or family members who
have been through similar experiences. Be aware that colic typically occurs in
healthy, large active, healthy children who are very eaters and grow well.
Poor-feeding,
sick, or sick babies or babies who have serious underlying issues may be
unhappy, angry and miserable. However, the majority of infants with colic are
typically generally unhappy most of the time, while the infant with colic
typically experiences episodes at a regular ("set your alarm clock at the
time of the day's beginning and ending") times throughout the day.
Here are
some ideas:
1. Don't
overfeed! Keep to your baby's regular feeding schedule and timings and the
amount of milk consumed in ounces by the bottle-fed baby or in minutes at the
breast of the baby who is breastfed.
2. Breastfeeding
mothers should be cautious about consuming milk-based products ("you don't
need to drink milk to make milk"). Caffeine onions, cabbage, broccoli,
beans and other food items produce gas, which can irritate the stomach.
Make sure
that if your baby drinks juices, they're diluted or provide simple water. If
the baby is thirsty, they'll take it in.
3. Do not
drink juices (young babies shouldn't drink juices anyway).
4. For a
formula-fed baby, consider switching to a formula containing Whey Hydrolysate
(such as Good Start) or try an allergy-free formula (such as Nutramigen
Alimentum, Nutramigen, as well, as Pregestimil).
A few
studies suggest that these changes could result in a reduction in the frequency
and the duration of symptoms for certain infants. It's worth the cost of a
week's test to determine if the formula contributes to the colic.
5. You might
consider using the baby pacifier. Children naturally exhibit a powerful sucking
reflex. The non-nutritive sucking that is associated with the use of pacifier’s
calms infants.
6. Other
relaxation methods could include massage for infants, a warm bath, and a
washcloth sprayed on the stomach.
7. Pause! If
the fear, anxiety and tension grow to be excessive (or maybe an hour prior!),
Try to have someone else looks after the baby for an hour, then go out. Make
sure to maintain an optimistic mindset.
8. Consider
walking your baby using a front-pouch carrier, with his legs dangling up and
the pressure on his belly.
9. Although
there isn't any definitive proof that physical stimulation can help, some
parents believe in it. Regular, steady movements such as rocking gently, making
"white sound" sounds like vacuuming, or having the dryer near to
soothe infants. (Never leave your baby alone near the dryer because there is a
great danger of injuries.)
10. The baby
should be wrapped tightly in a soft baby blanket ("swaddling").
11. The use
of simethicone (Phazyme, Flatulex, Mylicon gas-X Mylanta Gas) and other
homeopathic remedies are not proven to be more efficient than the placebo
(sugar pills) and are not recommended unless prescribed by the medical professional treating the infant.
Hyoscyamine
(Levsin) is an antispasmodic medicine for adults suffering from various
intestinal disorders and has been linked to serious side effects in children.
12. Beware
of herbal remedies. While some advocate chamomile, fennel and other remedies,
there isn't much evidence suggesting these treatments can help with colic.
Beware of drinking gripe water except when a pediatrician recommends it because
many ingredients aren't regulated (alcohol and others.) which could pose a risk
to infants.
13.
Recently, there were some intriguing results with specific probiotics (dietary
supplements containing yeast or live bacteria that aid digestion). Research
studies that have been systematically reviewed investigating the use of
Lactobacillus reuteri have demonstrated lower crying times in infants who are
formula fed and breastfed.
Although it
isn't a cure for colic, probiotics could help some infants. Talking about these
options with a healthcare
specialist before taking probiotics is essential.
What can
a doctor do to assist a child with COLIC?
It is
vitally important to speak with the baby's physician when you first notice the
suspected colic-related symptoms. There aren't any tests that doctors can
conduct that reveal "colic," so it is crucial to rule out other
reasons for crying or abruptly onset crying in newborns.
Be aware
that reasons for crying that aren't as serious include any cause that can cause
discomfort. Examine if the baby is hungry, hot or cold, tired, or has food
intolerance (gassy and loose stool, which could indicate lactose or intolerance
to milk proteins). Other medical conditions that are more serious about being
considered include:
·
Intestinal obstruction and obstructions.
·
An abdominal inflammation or a hernia.
·
A scratch on the eye of the infant or ear or bladder
infection.
·
Hair or fibers wrapped around toes or fingers and
others.
When the
baby is given an unremarkable health report and compassion, the doctor is worth
their worth of gold! If the symptoms of a colicky baby alter suddenly, then the
doctor
will review the situation and search for other issues that could be causing the
change for any baby.
In the past,
the doctor might suggest an over-the-counter medicine to treat gas bubbles for
the infant (for instance, simethicone or Mylicon Drops) or even the use of a
probiotic. The baby is fed these medicines orally.
Suppose it
appears that there are more homemade remedies (or "cures" to treat
colic, such as grandparent's remedies, consult your baby's physician first.
Also, keep in mind that after 3 or 4 months, the colic goes away as there are
no ongoing issues associated with colic.
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