Colic / stomach pain in babies
Infants suffer from different of kinds abdominal disorders some of which can be serious and need professional attention. Most problems however are minor and disappear as the child grows, and can be dealt with at home.
Babies between the ages of 2 weeks and 3 months are commonly affected by colic which is a type of inconsolable crying.
SYMPTOMS: The baby draws up her legs as if in extreme pain and becomes very red in the face.
CAUSE: There is a failure to bring up wind that enters the stomach during feeding or crying; this results in air passing into the small intestine causing pain and excessive contractions.
Breast fed babies are affected by “evening colic”. The baby cries as if in great pain for a few hours in the early evening –hunger may be a contributing factor.
If your breast feed, your milk supply may be reduced in the evening when you are tired and your baby will need to feed more often; tension such as that caused by the baby’s incessant crying may further reduce the milk and aggravate the problem.
No drugs are needed.Rocking or walking with your baby, going for a ride in the car or rubbing his or her abdomen may calm and comfort your baby temporarily. If you are breast feeding, try to rest during the day, so that your evening milk supply is plentiful. Although many products are available that claim to alleviate evening colic –no medical evidence supports the claims.
Other causes of stomach pain are:
Gas is a common cause because the intestines of the baby are tender and are just about to mature. Also babies take time to get used to the different foods that they try for the first time.
Constipation: Your baby may be in pain because of constipation. If he hasn’t had a bowel movement for 2/3 days he is constipated. Feed your child foods that would loosen his stools like apricots, sooji, pears and peas. Give sufficient water to your child. Help your child to move his body by playing with him.
Food allergies and reflux can also cause stomach ache. Reflux happens when the baby brings up food through the mouth that he is unable to digest. This can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat and in the stomach which is painful. Also mucus dripping from the nose and the throat into the stomach irritates it and causes pain when the child has a cold.
More interesting articles:
Did you hear about the mom who took away all her kids toys?
What type of parent are you? Parenting styles
Teething in your baby
Stages of play in a baby
Food for your sick child
