Your baby was born. You enjoy your new status, rejoice, accept congratulations, and the baby sleeps soundly in a stroller or a crib. Suddenly, after two or three weeks, the peace was removed as if by hand – the child starts to be fussy, does not sleep, gets irritated, cries.
Of course, grandmothers, neighbors and other well-wishers will gladly tell you about the lessons and the fact that you ate something forbidden. In short, they will find a thousand and one reasons why the child’s behavior has changed. But the reason can actually be very banal and completely independent of you – intestinal colic. A problem that affects many babies precisely at the age of three weeks.
What is colic?
Intestinal colic (or colic) in babies – the problem is still incompletely researched. Doctors name at least several reasons that cause this discomfort in children. In particular, the immaturity of the digestive system, gases and hormones. Hypersensitivity may also occur.
The symptoms of colic are more or less similar. The child is fussy, it seems, for no reason, suddenly begins to cry a lot, squeezes his legs, while his face turns red. In general, even several signs of colic are called:
– last more than three hours a day;
– at least three days a week;
– begin at the age of three weeks;
– pass after 3 months.
How to help
In principle, there is nothing to treat colic. There are only ways to facilitate their course. We will talk about them.
First of all, the mother should not blame herself, the cause of colic is not her. That’s true. Only the mother’s restlessness can be transmitted to the child, and this will only worsen the situation. Therefore, stay calm and try to find an approach specifically for your child. As practice shows, children react differently to tummy discomfort.
Carry the baby in your arms. After hugging a warm mother, children often calm down. Sometimes rocking and swaddling helps.
Breastfeeding on demand is very helpful for both the baby and the mother. It’s no secret that breasts soothe babies. Therefore, if the child is not on artificial feeding, this method should not be neglected.
Facilitates the course of colic and massages the tummy. Do it in a clockwise circular motion.
It is also recommended to put the baby on his stomach more often, this way the gases that disturb the baby are released.
After feeding, carry the baby with a column until excess air comes out of it. Also apply a heating pad to the tummy – for 5-7 minutes.
Exercise by stretching your arms and legs. For most babies, such stretching relieves the condition.
Rub the child’s back with your hands. You can put it on your tummy on your lap and gently rub your back with your hands. This will also help to release the gases that are probably bothering the baby.
Of course, not all of these methods will work for you. And maybe there will be another one for your child. Try to stay calm, because this is what your child needs most. And even more so for you.
Colic does not last long, remember that soon the first teeth, independent sitting, first words and many interesting things will follow.
