Colic in babies

Grčevi kod beba

Grčevi kod beba predstavljaju veoma čest problem i javljaju se u prvih nekoliko dana ili nedelja nakon rodjenja. Prema istraživanju od 20% do 40% beba ima problem sa grčevima, a obično se javljaju oko 2 nedelje i mogu da traju sve do petog meseca. Iako beba ne može da nam kaže da ima bolove i da joj je nelagodno, prepoznaćemo krz promene u ponašanju. Beba postane dodatno nervozna i mrzovoljna, ima promene u pražnjenju creva, rutini spavanja ili ishrani. Još jedan od načina da se problem prepozna je neprestano i učestalo plakanje. Iako je ovo učestao problem idalje je predmet istraživanja zbog složenosti i različitog uticaja na svaku bebu. 

Uzrok javljanja grčeva i dalje nije poznat, ali je pretpostavka da je to složen proces fizioloških i psiholoških faktora. Smatra se da je izazvan zbog nedovoljno razvijenog probavnog sistema, osetljivosti na mleko ili pak zbog uticaja psiholoških faktora. Simptomi kod grčeva uključuju iznenadan plač koji nekad traje satima, crvenilo u licu tokom plakanja, povlačenja nogu prema stomaku i stiskanja pesnica. Plač nije moguće smiriti na uobičajen način, hranjenjem ili umirivanjem. 

S obzirom na sve navedeno i na nejasan uzrok ne postoji poseban tretman, ali postoji nekoliko načina da pomognemo bebi. Pre svega upotreba probiotika ili kapi za grčeve možda pomogne, ali je potrebno prvo posetiti pedijatra i konsultovati se. Ostale tehnike koje možemo da isprobamo kako bi pomogli bebi su ukoliko majka doji promena ishrane i eliminisanje mlečnih proizvoda, ukoliko joj smeta laktoza. Za bebe koje koriste formulu neophodno je da se zameni sa hipoalergenskom formulom. Masaža bebinog stomaka u smeru kazaljke na satu i blage vežbe pomažu u ublažavanju grčeva i oslobadjanju gasova. Još jedna stvar koja može da pomogne je da bebu nosimo i ljuljamo ili da joj uvedemo bele šumove, odnosno zvukove usisivača, fena ili ventilatora. Umotavanje bebe, tople kupke i tople obloge na stomaku takodje mogu biti od pomoći. 

Pored uticaja na bebu, grčevi imaju veliki uticaj i na roditelje, jer izazivaju stres i doprinose da se osećamo bespomoćno. Zato je neophodno da potražimo pomoć od lekara, porodice i prijatelja kako bi ovaj period što lakše preprodili i ostavili iza nas. 

Grčevi su jedan veliki izazov koji ne utiče samo na bebu već i na celu porodicu. Zbog toga je neophodno potražiti pomoć i probati što više različitih varijanti smirivanja bebe kako bi pronašli onu koja deluje I koja joj pomaže.

Reference 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Abdominal pains in infants. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved December 25, 2024, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Abdominal-Pains-in-Infants.aspx

Colic in babies

Colic in babies is a very common problem and occurs in the first few days or weeks after they're born. According to the research, 20% to 40% of babies have a problem with cramps, and they usually appear when the baby is 2 weeks old and can last up to the baby's fifth month. Although the baby can't tell us that it's in pain and uncomfortable, we will recognize it through their change in regular behavior. The baby becomes extra nervous and has changes in bowel movement, sleep routine, or feeding. Another way to recognize the problem is constant and frequent crying. Besides this is a common problem, it's still the subject of research because it's complex and has a different impact on each baby.

The cause of cramps is still unknown, but we assume that it's a complex process of physiological and psychological factors. It's considered that the cause is an insufficiently developed digestive system, sensitivity to milk, or the influence of psychological factors. Symptoms include sudden crying that sometimes lasts for hours, face becoming red while crying, pulling the legs towards the stomach and making the fists. It is not possible to calm the crying in the usual way by feeding or soothing.

With all of the above and the unclear cause, there is no specific treatment, but there are several ways to help the baby. First of all, using probiotics or colic drops may help, but it's necessary to visit the pediatrician first and have a consultation. Other techniques that we can try to help the baby is to change the mother's nutrition, if the mother is breastfeeding and eliminate milk products, in case lactose bothers the baby. For babies that are fed with formula, it's necessary to replace it with a hypoallergenic one. Massaging the baby's belly in a clockwise direction and gentle exercises also help relieve colic and release gas. Another thing that can help is to carry and cuddle the baby or to make white noise to it, which are the sounds of vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, or fans. Wrapping the baby, warm baths, and warm compresses on the stomach can also be helpful.

Besides the fact that cramps have an impact on the baby, they also have a great impact on the parents as well, because they cause stress and contribute to a feeling of helplessness. That is why it is necessary to ask for help from doctors, family, and friends in order to get through this hard period as easily as possible and leave it behind us.

Cramps are a big challenge that affects not only the baby but also the whole family. Because of that, it's necessary to seek help and try as many different variants of calming the baby as possible, so we can find the one that works and helps the baby.

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.*

*Image taken from the site:https://unsplash.com/photos/person-carrying-baby-lP51ekRTh9Y

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Abdominal pains in infants. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved December 25, 2024, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Abdominal-Pains-in-Infants.aspx