“Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.” (Linda Wooten)
With great power comes great responsibility. Who would know this better than a mother who sacrifices all her comforts for her little one? This article guides you through a few tips to overcome some commonly-faced problems in raising tiny tots.
Newborns have a delicate machinery for digestion which evolves with time and growth. The oesophageal sphincter, a valve that prevents food from the stomach to return into the food pipe is still developing in babies, making spit ups and reflux a common digestive problem. Although it can cause quite some anguish to new parents, a known fact is that acid reflux subsides on its own between 4 to 12 months. In extreme cases, medical intervention is needed.
While reflux is not a serious health condition, it can deter the regular feeds and in turn hinder satisfactory meals for your baby. Most children outgrow this condition by the time they start with solids. However, do call your paediatrician if you notice any of the following:
Vomiting is stressful for adults and naturally, traumatic for babies. Most common causes for vomiting in babies are viral or bacterial infections. While you can continue feeding milk or formula to your child to help her cope with the loss of fluids, here are a few additional things you can do to comfort her.
Continue to feed your baby but in shorter bursts rather than long feeds. This will keep her hydrated through the day.If she starts refusing feeds, then consult your paediatrician and offer her oral rehydration remedies.
Call your paediatrician If –
It is natural for a baby to suck in a lot of air during initial months of feeding. With time and evolved expertise, the amount of air intake goes down. However, for an infant who hasn’t started moving about yet, the trapped-in air doesn’t find a straightforward way for elimination.
It has been observed that gas troubles ease as the baby turns about 3-4 months old or starts turning on her own. This development helps naturally get rid of any trapped gas in their bowels. It also helps if you:
If your baby appears uneasy despite trying out all the remedies you know, it would be wise to consult your doctor for any required check-ups.
Diarrhoea is one of the most dreaded yet most common paediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Diarrhoea can cause babies to have frequent watery or loose motions. This can quickly lead to severe dehydration and should be addressed immediately. Rotavirus is the most common culprit for this ailment and hence, is advised as one of the vaccinations for babies in their initial months.
Ensure that your baby stays hydrated by continuing to offer small but frequent feeds of milk or formula. Try to cut down on solids temporarily until her stomach gets a rest.
If diarrhoea doesn’t seem to stop after a few days, you would need to consult a paediatrician for medication. However, do not wait to consult if your child;
Colic is a term for unexplained cranky behaviour in infants. Contrary to common belief, there is no concrete evidence that colic is related to gas or indigestion. Medically, a child that goes into inconsolable crying bouts of up to 3 or 4 hours, three or more times a week, typically in the evenings; is believed to be colicky.
If you feel that your child’s colicky behaviour isn’t going away even after 3 months of age, it would be good to consult your doctor to discuss any investigative procedures to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Hard stools at an early stage are caused when digestive systems work hard to absorb nutrients and excrete waste. Indigestion in babies can sometimes become worse when babies start solids.
Constipation may need to be treated if:
Sometimes babies may be born with genetic abnormalities in their digestive systems which may need medical intervention and even corrective surgeries.
While these abnormalities are rare, they need to be checked if you observe unexplained digestive issues with your little one.
Conclusion
While there is always scope for the unexpected, it is best to always be prepared. The joy of becoming a parent is soon overcome by all the minute troubles your little one faces. Right from indigestion in babies to paediatric gastrointestinal disorders, we help you understand the most common digestive problems in babies and how to tackle them.