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Infantile colic
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.
Symptoms timing of infantile colic
The symptoms of infantile colic are sudden bouts of crying, during which the child's face turns very red, their hands clenched into fists, and their stomach distended. The child may also be difficult to console. To alleviate these symptoms, it is recommended to apply warm compresses to the child's abdomen and massage the abdomen to relieve intestinal gas and colic. Colic is generally more common at night and usually occurs in babies between one and three months old. To prevent colic, it is important to burp the child for ten minutes after each feeding and to massage the child’s abdomen in a clockwise direction between feedings. When colic occurs, applying a warm compress to the abdomen and massaging in a clockwise direction can help, as well as holding the child in an "airplane" hold.
Do infantile colic attacks occur daily?
Intestinal colic is a common phenomenon, but generally does not occur every day. Babies with intestinal colic may exhibit symptoms such as paroxysmal crying, decreased appetite, and restless sleep at night. Intestinal colic typically occurs around 6 months of age, when the baby's gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed. At this age, the baby begins to eat solid foods, and some of these foods are hard to digest, leading to gassiness. When a baby experiences intestinal gas, it can lead to intestinal colic. You can perform gas-relief exercises for the baby or massage the abdomen clockwise, which helps expel the gas from the intestines. Additionally, you can administer probiotics orally to adjust the gut flora. If the intestinal gassiness is significant, some medications can be taken orally to absorb the excess gas in the intestines and relieve the colic. Another method to try is holding the baby in an "airplane" position to alleviate discomfort.
Will the baby still have intestinal colic if they fart a lot?
Children who fart frequently may also experience intestinal colic, which usually results from indigestion caused by various reasons. Some children may swallow a lot of air while feeding, which can also lead to colic. However, if a child farts a lot, it can indicate that the air in the abdomen has been expelled, and the likelihood of colic occurring under these circumstances is relatively small. But there are also some pathological factors that could lead to colic, so excessive farting does not necessarily mean that colic will not occur. It is suggested that when a child suffers from colic, parents can use heat application as a local treatment, which is very helpful in relieving the child's pain symptoms.
Infantile colic generally occurs at what time?
Infantile colic usually occurs in infants within the first three months of birth, and typically manifests at night. Some children may experience brief episodes of colic, but for others, the episodes can be relatively prolonged, possibly lasting several hours. When colic occurs, the infant may exhibit symptoms such as facial flushing, pale lips, abdominal distension, clenched fists, cold feet, and crying. Colic may subside after the infant passes gas or has a bowel movement. During a colic episode, parents should hold the child upright, allowing the child to lie on the adult's shoulder. The parent's hand should be hollow, gently patting the baby's back to help expel excess air from the stomach.