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Suggest Treatment For Infantile Colic And Green Stool In Infant
Posted on
Thu, 9 Jul 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 9 Jul 2015
Answered on
Wed, 29 Jul 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I have a 6 week old who is having problems since about 2.5 weeks. She use to scream for hours on end in pain, we switched to a formula thats broken down more for easier digestion which then she was having a poop once a night it was army green and would fill 2 diapers and the screaming for hours continued. Switched to carnation milk screaming has stopped, sleeping through the night but now shes only pooping with the help of a suppository and its getting very hard and its yellowish brown. Some blood in it yesterday but hardly could see it
Brief Answer:
Your baby seems to be suffering from infantile colic
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns but don't worry. Your child seems to be suffering from infantile colic which leads to excessive crying and sleepless nights.
First and foremost, babies under a year old should not be given condensed milk, evaporated milk, carnations milk, dried milk or any other drinks referred to as milk, such as rice, oat or almond drinks. Infant formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk for the first 12 months of a baby's life.
Infantile colics are generally believed to be self-limited and benign. Different feeding practices and crying may result in large amounts of air entering the gastric lumen, which suggests that excessive aerophagia may be associated with colic. Colonic fermentation is the second proposed source of excessive intestinal gas in infants. However, no experimental evidence supports either theory.
I see such infants regularly in my clinical practice and recommend the following measures to help them:
1. Rule out common causes of crying. Such as tight clothing, uncomfortable temperature, hunger, wet diapers etc.
2. Give him proper constituted milk formulas. Carnation milk is not appropriate as it's low in water and iron content. This makes baby prone to constipation and anemia.
3. Always burp your baby in between and after feeds. Keep him slightly head end up after feeds to avoid mild gastric reflux. No need for any medication for this unless and until its very severe.
4. During crying episodes, hold the baby in burping position and close, cuddle, softly rock, or play soft music. This will calm him and break the vicious cycle of aerophagia and stomach distension.
5. Do not exhaust yourself, and do consider leaving your baby with other caretakers for short respites.
6. Drops having simethicone such as colicaid is useful at times.
7. Continue probiotic for the time being.
Hopefully this will help you. For further questions, I would be happy to help.
Take care
Your baby seems to be suffering from infantile colic
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns but don't worry. Your child seems to be suffering from infantile colic which leads to excessive crying and sleepless nights.
First and foremost, babies under a year old should not be given condensed milk, evaporated milk, carnations milk, dried milk or any other drinks referred to as milk, such as rice, oat or almond drinks. Infant formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk for the first 12 months of a baby's life.
Infantile colics are generally believed to be self-limited and benign. Different feeding practices and crying may result in large amounts of air entering the gastric lumen, which suggests that excessive aerophagia may be associated with colic. Colonic fermentation is the second proposed source of excessive intestinal gas in infants. However, no experimental evidence supports either theory.
I see such infants regularly in my clinical practice and recommend the following measures to help them:
1. Rule out common causes of crying. Such as tight clothing, uncomfortable temperature, hunger, wet diapers etc.
2. Give him proper constituted milk formulas. Carnation milk is not appropriate as it's low in water and iron content. This makes baby prone to constipation and anemia.
3. Always burp your baby in between and after feeds. Keep him slightly head end up after feeds to avoid mild gastric reflux. No need for any medication for this unless and until its very severe.
4. During crying episodes, hold the baby in burping position and close, cuddle, softly rock, or play soft music. This will calm him and break the vicious cycle of aerophagia and stomach distension.
5. Do not exhaust yourself, and do consider leaving your baby with other caretakers for short respites.
6. Drops having simethicone such as colicaid is useful at times.
7. Continue probiotic for the time being.
Hopefully this will help you. For further questions, I would be happy to help.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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