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Colic in newborns
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Colic in newborns are manifested by attacks of screaming and excitation of the child in the first year of life. Despite the fact that the term "colic" implies intestinal origin, the etiology is unknown. Colic in newborns often begin somewhere in the 6th week of life and spontaneously pass between the 3rd and 4th months of life.
Attacks of screaming and anxiety develop for no apparent reason at about the same time of day or night and last for several hours. Some babies cry almost continuously. Excessive screaming and crying of the newborn can lead to aerophagy, which leads to the development of flatulence and a bloated abdomen. Usually babies suffering from colic, eat and gain weight well, although vigorous sucking not during feeding can resemble a child's hunger when malnourished. Most likely, colic is not related to the development of an insistent, impatient person.
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What if the newborn has colic?
Anamnesis and general examination
From the history it is necessary to find out whether the cry of the child out of the normal (up to 3 hours a day in a 6-week-old baby). Then you need to differentiate colic in newborns from other causes of screaming, including high fever in a child, infection of the urinary system (IMI), otitis media, poor childcare. Careful inquiry can reveal that screaming is not the main problem, but an excuse that parents used to justify their visit to a doctor who is actually willing to discuss another problem, for example anxiety due to the death of the previous child or a sense of impotence and inability to cope with newborn child. A thorough examination, as a rule, does not reveal any anomalies, but convinces parents that the doctor knows how much infantile colic is a stressful situation for parents.
Lab tests
In carrying out a laboratory examination is not necessary, if only during the collection of anamnesis and during the examination there were no specific violations.
How to treat colic in a newborn?
Parents should be assured that their child is healthy, that his anxiety is not associated with poor care and that the colic will pass by itself without long-term negative effects. Children who do not cry for long, can calm down if they are picked up and lulled. A child with a high sucking activity, who begins to worry soon after eating, should be fed more. If feeding from a bottle takes less than 15-20 minutes, you can try using teats with smaller holes; A dummy can also soothe a child. Very active, restless children can, paradoxically, help a tight swaddling. Swaying, music and household noises (noise of a vacuum cleaner, car engine, hair dryer, iron) can also have a calming effect.
The adapted mixture can be administered for several days to ensure that there is no milk intolerance, however frequent changes of the mixture should be avoided. Colic in infants, who are on breastfeeding can be reduced by the elimination of carry milk or other products from the mother's diet.