Discomfort in the children's intestines: how to deal

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

All parents want their child to grow up healthy and enjoy every moment of their life. Intestinal comfort is one of the prerequisites for the healthy development of an infant. But if the baby has regular difficulty in digestion, frequent crying and anxiety, constipation and colic in the abdomen …

Professor of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics of the Russian National Research Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation Yulia Grigorievna Mukhina helped us to figure out what to do in such situations.

What are the causes of intestinal discomfort and how to deal with them?

To answer this question, you need to understand how the child's body works. In the first twelve months of a baby's life, his diet undergoes major changes: first, he feeds from nutrients in the womb, then from the moment of birth he switches to breast milk or infant formula, and at the age of six months he transitions to more solid foods.

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Healthy, term infants usually cope well with these dietary changes. However, some children may experience intestinal discomfort as the digestive system develops. This can be expressed in the development of colic, accompanied by excessive crying, the development of constipation, bloating due to severe gas formation and pain. Such manifestations are not considered a disease and are called "functional digestive disorders", as they are associated with the immaturity of the child's gastrointestinal tract. The rest of the baby is healthy, growing well and eating well.

Constipation is a common sign of digestive disorders in infants and young children.

Constipation is a common symptom of a digestive system disorder in infants and young children. It is he who accounts for most of the complaints voiced by parents to a specialist. Stool character and consistency are indicators of whether or not constipation is present, since characteristics such as stool frequency and volume may vary from child to child. Therefore, a manifestation that needs to be paid special attention to if constipation is suspected is hard and less regular than usual stools that are painful during bowel movements.

Constipation is rare in breastfed babies. However, in many cases, constipation is accompanied by dietary changes, such as switching from breast milk to infant formula or introducing complementary foods.

Comments by Yu. G. Mukhina: “Mothers choose the mixture as cereal. It is not right. The point is that blends are a complex product. Manufacturers of baby food take into account the latest advances not only in the field of medicine, but also in biology."

How to choose the right infant formula?

The transition of babies from breastfeeding to artificial formula is a very important process that requires special attention. After the obligatory consultation with the doctor, the mother should opt for exactly the product that, in terms of its composition, meets the needs of the still immature body of the baby as much as possible.

The transition of babies from breastfeeding to artificial formula is a very important process that requires special attention.

If the mother has just started feeding the baby with infant formula, she may notice that his stool has become denser or darker. Encourage physical activity: place the child on the back, bend his knees and move his legs as if you were riding a bicycle. Crawling on your stomach is also beneficial, as lack of physical activity can lead to constipation.

Many parents are afraid to give their children a mixture with palm olein, fearing that it is he who leads to constipation and other digestive disorders. However, numerous studies refute this - stool consistency does not depend on the content of palm olein in baby food. And the version that palm olein causes colic in a child has not been confirmed in any way. The true cause of childhood colic has not yet been found and remains the subject of controversy and discussion.

Constipation can be caused by dehydration or improper preparation of infant formula. Only in rare cases, constipation can be caused by a more serious medical condition, such as food allergies or thyroid problems, or congenital bowel problems.

Breastfeeding mothers must follow a special diet.

SOUTH. Mukhina advises to fully rely on doctors when it comes to choosing mixtures: “We conducted a survey and asked women whom they turn to for advice on feeding a child. It turned out that the main source of information was girlfriends, not doctors. If the baby has any negative reactions, the mother must definitely contact the pediatrician. This is due to the fact that today technology is developing very quickly, and you can no longer rely on the opinion of a non-professional. For example, if earlier we could fix the TV ourselves, now we will no longer be able to repair it with a simple screwdriver. Our mothers also need to understand that a modern mixture is a high-tech product."

What should I do to ensure comfortable digestion for my baby?

Breastfeeding mothers must follow a special diet. It is necessary to reduce the amount of products that form gas formation, as well as monitor the drinking regime and, of course, avoid stress. To ensure comfortable digestion in formula-fed children, it is recommended to use dairy products containing prebiotics and lactobacilli. The addition of these components to the composition of infant formula helps to improve the composition of microflora and prevent constipation in babies.