The behavior of the baby with colic. Causes of pathological intestinal colic

Prevention of colic in newborns

1. To reduce attacks of intestinal colic, in addition to eliminating harmful foods, the mother must properly breastfeed the baby. It is necessary to ensure that the child captures the halo with the mouth along with the nipple.
2. Let the baby take the breast as much as he needs. If possible, do not supplement with infant formula or cow's milk, as introducing new foods into the baby's diet will only exacerbate the problem. Any New Product- a colossal burden for the baby's digestive system, and he does not have the enzymes for digesting cow's milk at all. Therefore, use all methods to increase lactation and continue to breastfeed your baby, while not forgetting about the diet.
3. After feeding, hold the baby upright and wait for the burp.
4. Take small breaks between feedings of 2-2.5 hours to allow food to be digested well. If the baby has bloating and the tummy is tense, do not feed him. Help your baby get rid of excess gas by doing light exercises aimed at eliminating them.

Should I continue breastfeeding if my baby has colic?

Many mothers mistakenly believe that if they stop breastfeeding and pick up an expensive one, good mix for feeding, they will solve the problem of intestinal colic in infants. This is absolutely not recommended. Breastfeeding is an important and necessary period in the life of the crumbs, not even the most the best mix will not replace mother's milk, which helps to strengthen the immune system, provides the child with all the nutrients, trace elements and vitamins he needs.

Why is colic dangerous?

Despite the fact that colic in infants is a natural physiological process, parents are still required to consult a pediatrician. In some cases, in the absence of supervision by a doctor, you can not notice and ignore the diseases of the baby's digestive system. Only experienced doctor will be able to distinguish the symptoms of ordinary intestinal colic from serious disorders and pathologies of the development of the newborn.

Symptoms, in the presence of which you should immediately consult a doctor:

• a prolonged attack of pain that lasts more than 4 hours, a significant deterioration in the baby's condition;
• elevated temperature, with colic it remains normal;
• vomit;
• diarrhea or loose stools with bloody or greenish discharge.

Parents should remember that the cry of a baby is a cry and a request for help. The task of adults is to recognize the cause of the baby’s bitter crying and come to his aid. Intestinal colic is not a disease, but a natural physiological process in a child's life. This difficult period for everyone brings him closer to his mother, allows her to better understand and feel the needs of the crumbs. Use our advice and do not forget that this temporary phenomenon will end soon, and you can continue to enjoy happy motherhood.

The digestive system in infants is not fully formed, for this reason, children, the first three months life, may feel discomfort associated with the accumulation of gases in the intestines, which provoke colic. Such a problem has physiological causes, does not require special treatment, and, as a rule, resolves on its own by three months. The task of parents is to prevent the occurrence of colic, by all accessible ways, and alleviate the condition of the baby, if the pain in the tummy still occurs.

How to understand that a child has a stomachache

Babies express their feelings and needs through crying. The reason for crying can be fear, boredom, discomfort from wet diapers, hunger, change temperature regime environment and pain. By the intensity of crying, its intonation and the characteristic behavior of the baby, you can determine the source of anxiety. So, with pain, the cry of the baby is sharp and piercing, which does not stop after the child is picked up. The child may refuse food and not respond to soothing words or lulling.

Pain syndrome in infants occurs most often with otitis, intracranial pressure, infectious diseases accompanied by inflammatory processes, as well as various pathologies of the digestive system. Therefore, only a doctor can determine what exactly hurts a baby.

In the event that the crumbs normal temperature, there are no signs of intoxication of the body and visible inflammatory reactions, and sharp crying is replaced by periods of calm, when the baby is walking, sleeping normally, eating with appetite and gaining weight, infantile colic is diagnosed. Colic is an attack of intense pain caused by increased gas formation and stretching of the intestinal walls, resulting in a spasm.

The main symptoms of colic are:

1. A sharp cry that appears suddenly, often in a dream, or after the child has eaten. The baby can scream without ceasing from several minutes to several hours, most often in the evening and at night. Crying stops as suddenly as it started, and does not subside gradually, while the baby may immediately begin to smile or fall asleep. After a while, everything repeats again.
2. With pain syndrome caused by colic, the baby may turn pale or, conversely, blush. Muscle tone is increased, the stomach is tense.
3. The child pulls the legs to the tummy or twists them.
4. After the discharge of gases, the child becomes easier.

Unfortunately, not only gaziki can disturb the baby, some pathological conditions digestive system, accompanied by pain in the abdomen, are potentially dangerous to the health and life of the baby. Parents should know how certain diseases manifest themselves in order to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Symptoms and manifestations of pathologies that may be accompanied by abdominal pain in infants - table

In the event that the child, in addition to the signs characteristic of infantile colic, has other symptoms indicated in the table, you should immediately consult a doctor.

For infantile colic, the “three” rule applies - they appear on the third week of life, last three hours a day, three days a week and pass on their own as soon as the baby turns three months old

Causes of colic in the baby

Colic in infants appears in the third week of life and stops when the baby is three months old. The main reason for their occurrence is called the functional immaturity of the digestive system, which leads to increased gas formation in the intestine.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the appearance of infant colic, as well as affecting their intensity and duration:

1. Swallowing air during feeding. Incorrect attachment to the breast or incorrectly selected nipples on formula bottles (too large or small holes) contribute to the swallowing of air, which bursts the walls of the stomach and intestines.
2. Enzyme deficiency in newborns. To digest food, the baby needs enzymes, if the baby was born earlier due date, their production in the stomach has not yet been established. This can lead to indigestion, which is expressed in frequent regurgitation of curdled milk. Incompletely digested food causes fermentation processes in the intestines, and leads to increased flatulence. With maturity, the problem is eliminated on its own. In addition to the factor of immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, overfeeding leads to indigestion.
3. Changes in the intestinal microflora. At birth, the intestines of a child are sterile, the settlement of its microflora occurs gradually, and its composition can constantly change. Any changes may be accompanied by constipation or diarrhea. Up to a year, doctors do not diagnose dysbacteriosis, since the quantitative and qualitative composition of the microflora is at the formation stage.
4. Non-compliance with the diet of a nursing mother. The composition of mother's milk varies depending on the products that a woman consumes. For this reason, foods that cause constipation, food allergies should be excluded from the menu. And also, do not get carried away by increasing the fat content of milk, as this can lead to indigestion in the baby.
5. Incorrect feeding regimen. Pediatricians recommend breastfeeding as needed. When a child is hungry, it is secreted in the stomach enough juices and enzymes needed for digestion. When feeding on time, the digestive system may not be ready, which causes heaviness and pain in the abdomen, gives an additional load on the pancreas.
6. Violation of the temperature regime in the room. The microclimate in the room where the baby is located affects the processes of digestion. If the child is hot and the air in the room is too dry, the baby refuses food, is thirsty, he may experience constipation and colic. When you feel cold, a large amount of energy is spent on thermoregulation, while bowel function slows down, spasms may occur.
7. Weak abdominal muscles. The condition of the abdominal muscles affects intestinal motility - with hypertonicity and strong crying overexertion of the press can cause vomiting. Weak muscles with hypotension, on the contrary, lead to a slowdown in the motor function of the intestine, which is accompanied by constipation.
8. Unstable emotional situation in the family. Even after birth, the baby and mother are one in physical and emotional terms. So, a mother can anticipate the awakening of the crumbs, she secretes breast milk a few minutes before the hungry cry of the baby. Children, in turn, also adopt the mood and emotional state of the mother, show anxiety during her long absence, and fall asleep better in the same room with the parent. Therefore, it is not surprising that stress postpartum depression and quarrels in the family can affect the behavior of the baby, cause him anxiety, and with it colic of psychosomatic origin.

Improper feeding one of the most important factors in the occurrence of colic. Inappropriate or thick mixture, large opening in the nipple, improper tilt, large portions - all this leads to increased gas formation and pain in the abdomen.

What to do if a newborn's stomach hurts

Pediatricians, including Dr. Komarovsky, are inclined to believe that infantile colic is a temporary phenomenon that just needs to be experienced. However, there are a number of recommendations, following which, you can prevent the onset of abdominal pain or relieve the symptoms of colic in infants. Before performing them, you should make sure that it was the colic that caused the crying and discomfort, and not other pathologies of the digestive system, for the treatment of which medical attention is required.

How to help the baby?

1. At the first symptoms of colic, a compress from warm diaper. To do this, folded four times and ironed, the diaper is laid out on the tummy. Instead of a diaper, you can use a salt heating pad purchased at a pharmacy.
2. Another way to distract the baby from pain is to switch his attention to a bright object or a uniform sound. Many parents note that the baby stops crying with the murmur of water from the tap, the measured buzz of a vacuum cleaner or blender.
3. No less effective is laying the baby on his tummy, on the mother's bare belly. Moderate heat eliminates spasm, and the usual rhythm of breathing and heartbeat lull the baby to sleep.
4. warm water also helps to eliminate intestinal spasms. Often, babies suffering from constipation and abdominal pain due to intestinal spasms empty immediately after taking a warm bath, so immediately after bathing, you should not swaddle the baby or put a diaper on it, just wrap it tightly in a terry diaper.
5. With the accumulation of gases, a gas outlet tube will help, or, in extreme cases, a pipette without a rubber tip. This method can be used only as a last resort, if other methods have not alleviated the suffering of the baby.

Methods for eliminating colic in babies - photo gallery

This heater radiates heat optimum temperature and relieve spasms Modern gas outlet tubes have a latch that does not allow the tip to penetrate deeply and prevents injury to the rectum Warm water and a feeling of weightlessness, relaxes the baby and promotes better gas discharge Tactile contact with mother's skin eliminates infant colic and soothes the baby

Stomach massage for colic

one more effective way elimination of infantile colic is a massage of the tummy, which relaxes spasmodic muscles, stimulates peristalsis, release of gases and eliminates pain due to the release of gases and acceleration of blood circulation.

To make such a massage yourself is very simple, just follow some rules:

• the air temperature in the room should be 21–23 degrees;
• mom's hands should be dry and warm, you can preheat your palms by rubbing them against each other;
• movements are performed clockwise, and in no case in the opposite direction;
• you should make light, massaging strokes, while not affecting the right hypochondrium;
• massage should be done daily, 15 minutes before feeding.

Tummy massage with colic - video

Gymnastics for constipation and increased gas formation

1. Put the baby on the back and pull the legs brought together and bent at the knees to the chest, briefly holding them in this position. The number of repetitions is 5-6 times.
2. Alternately pull the leg bent at the knee to the opposite elbow. So, the left knee should try to reach the right elbow and vice versa. Do 3 pull-ups on each leg.
3. Turn the baby over on the tummy and stroke the back from top to bottom, from the shoulder girdle to the waist, without touching the line of the spine.
4. After the navel has healed, you can lay the baby on big ball(fitball), having previously covered it with a diaper. The baby is laid out on the surface of the ball with his tummy down, holding with one hand in the lower back, and with the other by the feet, and swaying back and forth. The swing amplitude should not be strong, as this will cause fear and resistance in the crumbs, which will lead to a negative effect from the exercises.

Gymnastics is best done immediately after bathing, when muscle tone is relaxed and the child is set to communicate. In the event that the baby is very tired, wants to sleep or eat, it is better to give up gymnastics, since there will be no positive result from such exercises.

Medicines for colic and abdominal pain

At severe pain in the stomach caused by increased gas formation, drugs based on simethicone are used, such drugs are not absorbed into the blood, do not accumulate in the body and are not addictive. Simethicone helps to eliminate gas bubbles during flatulence, reducing their surface tension. The gases that are released in this case can either be absorbed by the intestinal walls or excreted naturally, thanks to intestinal peristalsis. Most often, pediatricians prescribe such safe drugs:

• Espumizan;
• Bobotic;
• Simicol;
• Infacol;
• Sub Simplex;
• Kolikid.

Herbal preparations that reduce gas formation in infants:

• Bebinos;
• Plantex;
• dill water;
• Baby Calm.

If the cause of abdominal pain in infants is associated with changes in the intestinal microflora, probiotic preparations are prescribed:

• Bifiform baby;
• Linex baby;
• Bifidumbacterin;
• Acipol.

In case of enzyme deficiency, the doctor may prescribe drugs containing the enzymes amylase, protease, lipase. Such medicines improve the digestion of food, eliminate constipation and flatulence. Enzyme-containing products are unsafe, because they can be addictive, and if they are abruptly canceled, they can provoke inflammation of the pancreas. The most commonly used drugs are:

• Lactazar;
• Mezim;
• Creon.

Medications for colic - photo gallery

Espumizan L Plantex Bifiform baby Lactazar

Diet

Pain may occur because the mother does not follow a special diet. So, the list of prohibited foods that should not be consumed by a woman who is breastfeeding includes:

1. Vegetables that increase gas formation - white cabbage, legumes, radishes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, eggplants, radishes.
2. Fruits that cause heaviness in the stomach - pears, cherries, plums, grapes, raisins.
3. Products that promote fermentation in the intestines - whole cow's milk, hard cheese, black and malt bread;
4. Products that cause constipation - nuts, chocolate, muffins, strong black tea, semolina;
5. Allergens - eggs in the amount of more than one per day, citrus fruits, strawberries, honey, orange and red fruits and vegetables in large quantities.
6. Products that contribute to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract - smoked sausages and fish, canned food, products containing dyes or flavor enhancers.

In the first months of feeding the baby, the mother's diet is very limited, however, gradually, you can expand the menu, introducing more and more new dishes into it. It is important to keep a food diary so that if your baby develops digestive disorders, you can know exactly what provoked the malaise.

Folk remedies for colic in babies

Medicines, although they are considered safe for babies, however, in addition to simethicone, contain additional components (flavorings and sweeteners), which, if used frequently, can cause diathesis in crumbs. For this reason, many parents resort to equally effective folk remedies to eliminate the symptoms of flatulence and abdominal pain in infants. The easiest to prepare and time-tested are decoctions of chamomile flowers, dill or fennel seeds.

If such funds are used by a nursing mother, then the likelihood of colic in a baby is halved.

Prognosis of treatment and possible complications. Consequences

Infantile colic is not a disease - it is a physiological process of the formation of the digestive system, which does not require special treatment. Reception medications only briefly relieves the symptoms of pain, while not eliminating the root cause of their appearance. Pediatricians note that there is no universal remedy for colic; massage and warm bath, others only medications, while others are distracted from pain and calm down at the first sounds of the measured buzz of household appliances.

With the manifestations of abdominal pain in an infant, it is important to exclude other causes of its occurrence, since an incorrect diagnosis can lead to complications. So, warming up the tummy with a heating pad is contraindicated when inflammatory processes in the body, and taking medications based on simethicone can harm the baby with intestinal obstruction. Therefore, at the first signs of abdominal pain, parents should not prescribe treatment on their own, but be sure to show the child to the pediatrician.

Prevention

It is impossible to prevent the occurrence of infant colic, this is the path through which all parents and children must go, however, by eliminating the factors that contribute to their occurrence, it is possible to significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of manifestations of the pain syndrome.

Methods for preventing colic in infants are:

1. Daily regime. In order to normalize the digestive processes, you should not put the baby to sleep immediately after feeding. After waking up the child, it is necessary to observe the wakefulness regimen, the duration of which depends on the age of the baby. Active communication or gymnastics, it is better to do it in the morning, and in the late afternoon, plan a relaxing massage and bathing so as not to overexcite the nervous system of the crumbs.
2. You should not overfeed the baby, because the amount of food for which there were not enough enzymes undergoes a process of putrefaction in the intestines, which leads to increased gas formation.
3. Proper attachment to the breast, which prevents swallowing of air and injury to the nipple. In the event that cracks in the nipples have already formed, you should use silicone pads until healing, because fear and pain that the mother experiences during feeding are transmitted to the baby and can provoke an attack of colic.
4. It is necessary to dress the child in loose clothing made from natural fabrics. Swaddling, an incorrectly worn diaper or sliders with a tight elastic band can create pressure on the intestines, which will affect its work. When choosing clothes, you should exclude outfits made of synthetic fabrics that violate thermoregulation and cause overheating of the crumbs.
5. Carrying the baby in a column after each feed allows air to escape in the form of a burp.
6. Strengthening the abdominal muscles with the help of gymnastics, massage and regular laying on the stomach improves peristalsis, prevents constipation and flatulence.

Colic is pain in the abdomen. They appear with crying, anxiety, refusing to eat. Usually appear in the third or fourth week and pass to fourth month baby's life. During this period, the baby has a swollen tummy, he bends his legs, trying in this way to alleviate his condition. You can learn more about the symptoms of colic.

Can there be colic while breastfeeding or after breastfeeding

By itself, breast milk is not capable of causing colic if breastfeeding (LF) is organized correctly. It is important to note that it is best to feed the baby on demand, and not by the hour, then the two organisms will be able to adapt to each other as much as possible and many problems can be avoided. There are three most typical mistakes feeding arrangements that can lead to pinching during breastfeeding or cause the infant to behave like colic to the mother.

1. Short-term single breastfeeding. At the same time, the child receives mainly foremilk rich in lactose, and hindmilk rich in fats remains unclaimed. As a result, breast milk is less nutritious, the baby needs the breast more often, and the total amount of food consumed increases. Milk rich in lactose does not linger in the stomach and quickly enters the small intestine, where lactose is broken down by a special enzyme called lactase. Since there is too much lactose, it does not have time to be processed and enters the large intestine, where it causes fermentation and colic. All these phenomena are not related to - the enzyme is quite enough, just too much lactose comes in.
2. Mom gives two breasts at once during one feeding. Of course, if the child sucks out one breast for 15-20 minutes completely, then there is nothing wrong when the mother gives him the second if he is not satisfied. But more often it happens that after sucking for 5-10 minutes, the child begins to act up or fall asleep. Mom, thinking that the baby does not have enough milk, gives him a second breast. As a result, the process described in the first paragraph occurs, and problems with the tummy begin.
3. Too much milk flow. Breast milk begins to flow in a fast stream and the newborn, not keeping up with it, turns away from the breast, shows concern. All these signs can be mistaken for mother colic.

Another reason that can cause colic in hepatitis B is the mother's food, the processing components of which can first penetrate into the bloodstream and then into breast milk.

Foods that cause colic while breastfeeding

Not all pediatricians agree with the opinion that gas formation in the baby's digestive system is affected by the mother's diet. However, experts advise adhering to a certain diet, especially in the first months after the birth of a child. It is important to note that such a restriction applies precisely at first, then you can try to consume potentially dangerous foods in small portions, following the reaction of the baby. If the child's body has not accepted the product, then it must be removed from the menu for a while.

It is believed that colic in babies is caused by such foods:

• kvass, sparkling water;
• rye bread (or with the addition of rye flour);
• coffee, coffee drinks;
• chocolate and products with its addition;
• fresh milk;
• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• bean products;
• condiments, sauces, etc.

This list includes not only products that cause increased gas formation, but also fresh milk. The fact is that milk protein, getting into the body of a child, can affect the condition of the child and cause colic. This is most often the so-called intolerance to cow's milk protein (allergy to cow's milk protein is much less common), which, according to the mechanism of occurrence, is not an allergy and when the baby becomes older it will go away by itself.

Mom should always remember that with regard to any products, the measure must be observed, and if she drinks quite a bit of fresh milk, then this is unlikely to affect the child. Only a large amount of food eaten can increase the chances of a potentially dangerous substance entering the baby's body and causing a response.

You can learn more about foods that can cause colic and allergies.

An approximate weekly menu for a nursing mother can be found.

Tea for nursing mothers from colic

Sometimes pediatricians recommend that mothers use chamomile tea, fennel decoction. In some cases, these methods really help. However, not all experts agree with this method of treatment. The fact is that the products of processing decoctions and additives will enter the child's body. They will not bring much benefit to the baby. Rather, they will streamline the digestive processes in the body of a nursing mother. Therefore, it is more expedient to give the baby chamomile tea, a decoction of dill (fennel) or special water.

Colic with artificial and mixed feeding

There is often an opinion among mothers that colic necessarily haunts formula-fed babies (IV), but this is not always the case. These phenomena are observed both in breastfed babies and in artificial babies, since the main reason for their occurrence is not in the type of nutrition, but in the maturation of the child's digestive system and violations of its nervous regulation. However, not all pediatricians agree with this version and believe that colic can also appear

Important! The type of nutrition of the newborn does not affect the occurrence of colic, which can be both bottle-fed and breast-fed.

Another thing is if we are talking about differences in the frequency of their occurrence and intensity. Breast milk, as a natural product intended by nature itself to feed the baby, is best suited for him, and if it is replaced with a mixture, especially in the first months of life, then the likelihood of colic becomes greater.

Among the reasons is also the use of bottles with the wrong nipple. In pharmacies, there are regular and orthodontic nipples. The latest models are very similar in shape to a woman's nipple. During feeding, the child swallows a minimum of air along with milk. It is also worth paying attention to models with an anti-vacuum system. It does not allow the nipple to stick together during feeding. More about anti-colic bottles

The baby's body may also not accept the mixture of a certain trademark. In this case, you need to try to give a product from another manufacturer and follow the reaction of the child's body.

On sale along with the usual mixtures for baby food there are mixtures with a composition specially designed for colic for newborns, containing mixed feeding different mixtures.

1. For children whose colic is caused by decreased bowel motility leading to gas stagnation and constipation, it is best used with locust bean gum, which will promote bowel movements.
2. For children with lactase deficiency, use