How to treat and cope with colic in babies?

Colic pain in newborn babies

Author – Dr. Suresh Birajdar DNB, FRACP Neonatology (Australia), M.D (PEDIATRICS), MRCPCH (UK)

Consultant – Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospital Kharghar, Mumbai

A newborn often cries and fusses, particularly during the first three months. But when a much older and healthy baby cries or fusses for longer, i.e. more than 3 hours a day and three days a week, one can suspect it to be colic. Colic in newborn can be recognized by noticing the patterns in its crying.

Quick Fact: Colic can affect up to 30% of babies as people often neglect or misunderstand it.

What is Colic treatment?

Colic can cause stress for new parents due to the constant crying. Colic is something which shouldn’t be overlooked and should be treated or managed.

These specific steps can be implemented to reduce the crying of a newborn as to have colic, such as:

Holding the baby: Holding your baby in different ways can also help with infantile colic. You can try holding the baby across the arms of your lap and applying a gentle massage near their ribcage region. It is possible that your baby may have gas or abdominal pain , so doing so might help them feel relief from constant pain. You can also try rocking the baby in your arms in a swing like motion.

Comforting: You can act as a comforter for the baby by trying different movements like skin-to-skin contact, swaddling or singing for the baby. You can also try giving a warm bath, massage, and pacifier.

Visiting a Paediatrician: You can also visit a paediatrician to ensure your medications are safe for the baby. Besides, if you are using baby formula, you may have to opt for a different brand without having to change feeding patterns.

Feeding: What you consume can affect your baby as well. It is better to keep a track of what you eat. Avoid foods like caffeine, as they can act as stimulants and may cause allergies as well.

What are the signs and symptoms of colic?

The common signs and symptoms of colic are:

  • Crying intensively
  • Crying continuously without any reason, like hunger , fever
  • Extreme fussiness
  • Skin flushing
  • Tensed body like arched back, tense abdomen or stiffened legs and arms

What causes colic and how is colic diagnosed

There are no apparent reasons that cause colic.. However, there can be some potential factors that can result in colic, as:

  • Underdeveloped digestive system
  • Lack or imbalance of healthy bacteria
  • Food intolerances
  • Food allergies
  • Overfeeding
  • Infrequent Burping
  • Possibility of early childhood migraine

Colic can be diagnosed by your healthcare provider such as a paediatrician by simply noticing the frequency or pattern of symptoms.. Keeping track of when your baby eats, sleeps, its bowel movements and how often they cry can help in diagnosing the problem.

Can colic be prevented or avoided?

It is best to visit a paediatrician or child specialist to rule out any underlying reason for your crying baby. Once you are sure about it, you can adopt some techniques to cope with it in your day-to-day life such as:

  • Try moving or swaddling your baby
  • Keep your baby close
  • Wrap him for relaxation
  • Allow your baby to cry for a while when nothing goes your way.

Conclusion

Although it might seem like a bit too much, keeping a track of your baby’s daily routine can help analyse where the colic problem is erupting from.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Neonatal specialists in Kharghar, Mumbai. Our Neonatology Department has expert neonatologists, paediatricians, paediatric surgeons, and nurses that are trained in new-born care.

Do take an appointment with the top Neonatal hospital in Kharghar, Mumbai. Meet our doctors, who will do the necessary investigations, identify the problem, and suggest the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with Dr. Suresh Birajdar, please book your appointment here.

5 Causes of heavy bleeding during your period

Colic pain in newborn babies

Author – Dr. Surabhi Siddhartha MBBS, DGO

Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital Kharghar, Mumbai

While menstruation can lead to many disruptions in everyday life, some women may also suffer from a disorder known as heavy menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia. It refers to heavy bleeding that can last for more than seven days. During menorrhagia heavy bleeding with clots is a common sight. You are bound to change your tampon every 2 hours.

Quick Fact – It has been seen that around one in four women experiences heavy menstrual bleeding, which is common in women aged between 30 to 50.

Heavy menstrual bleeding

When the heavy bleeding lasts for more than 7 days, it is referred to as menorrhagia. It is advised to consult an expert Gynaecologist who will provide you professional health care if you are having continuous heavy bleeding. Avoiding it may cause anaemia and restrict you from being at your optimum.

Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding

Though in many cases, the cause of heavy periods is unknown, yet there are several conditions that relate to it:

  • Hormonal imbalance: The hormones that regulate the lining of the uterus called endometrium are progesterone and estrogen, which are balanced in normal bleeding. If any imbalance occurs in these two, the endometrium lining can develop in excess where its shedding relates to heavy bleeding.
  • Bleeding disorder due to ovaries: Ovaries release an egg during the menstrual cycle, whereas progesterone is produced during a regular menstrual cycle. However, your ovaries may not release an egg which leads to an imbalance in the progesterone levels and lead to heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Uterine problems: In extreme cases, cancer of the uterus or cervix can be one of the causes. Besides, any growth on the uterus, called uterine fibroids or polyps, can also lead to heavy periods.
  • Infections: Infections or injuries in the vagina can also lead to heavy bleeding
  • Pregnancy-related problems: In the case of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilised egg gets implanted outside the uterus), a person may suffer from heavy bleeding during periods.A miscarriage can also cause heavy periods.

Signs and symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding

The leading signs of menorrhagia are:

  • Frequent change of sanitary pads every hour
  • Using double sanitary protection to control the blood flow
  • Feeling the need to change the tampon during the night due to heavy flow
  • Bleeding for more than seven days or a week
  • Discharging blood clots that are larger in size
  • Experiencing symptoms of anaemia due to blood loss like tiredness, shortness of breath etc.
  • Diagnosis and testing

When consulting with your lady gynaecologist, she will inquire about your menstrual cycles along with medical history. She may also suggest taking some common blood tests, pap tests, endometrial biopsy or ultrasound.

Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding

Treatment for heavy periods will depend on many factors. Some common approaches are:

  • Medications, including NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, oral progesterone etc.
  • Surgical procedures like uterine artery embolization, dilation and curettage, focused ultrasound surgery etc.

Conclusion

Heavy bleeding should not be considered normal especially if it extends for more than 7 days. In such cases, it is best to consult with a gynaecologist who will diagnose your heavy menstrual bleeding situation and provide an accurate line of treatment.

At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist specialists in Kharghar, Mumbai. We are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.

Do take an appointment with the best Gynaecology hospital in Kharghar, Mumbai at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.

If you wish to get in touch with Dr. Surabhi Siddhartha, please book your appointment here.