DiagnosisYour baby's care provider will do a complete physical exam to identify any possible causes for your baby's distress. The exam will include: Show
Lab tests, X-rays and other diagnostic tests aren't usually needed, but in unclear cases they help to exclude other conditions as possible causes. TreatmentThe primary goals are to soothe the child as much as possible with a variety of interventions and ensure that parents have the support they need to cope. Soothing strategiesYou may find it helpful to have a plan, a list of soothing strategies you can try. You may need to experiment. Some may work better than others, and some may work one time but not another. Soothing strategies may include:
Feeding practicesChanges in feeding practices may also provide some relief. Bottle-feed your baby in an upright position and burp frequently during and after a feeding. Using a curved bottle will help with upright feeding, and a collapsible bag bottle can reduce the intake of air. Trial changes in dietIf soothing or feeding practices aren't reducing crying or irritability, your doctor may recommend a short-term trial of dietary changes. If your baby has a food allergy, however, there would likely be other signs and symptoms, such as a rash, wheezing, vomiting or diarrhea. Dietary changes may include:
Parent self-careCaring for an infant who has colic can be exhausting and stressful, even for experienced parents. The following strategies can help you take care of yourself and get the support you need:
Potential future treatmentsOne factor that may contribute to colic is an imbalance of the helpful bacteria in an infant's digestive tract. One treatment under investigation is the use of good bacteria (probiotics) to create an appropriate bacterial balance to improve overall digestive health. Some studies have shown a reduction in crying times when babies with colic were treated with a bacterium called Lactobacillus reuteri. The studies have been conducted with small groups, and results have been somewhat mixed. Most experts agree there's not enough evidence at this time to support the use of probiotics to treat colic. Alternative medicineSeveral small studies have shown some benefits or mixed results for alternative treatments. There's not enough evidence, however, to judge the potential benefit over the risks. Alternative remedies under investigation include:
Known risks include the following issues:
Talk to your baby's care provider before using an alternative medicine to treat your infant for colic. Preparing for your appointmentIt's a good idea to prepare ahead of time for an appointment with your baby's health care provider. Here's some information to help you get ready. What you can doTo prepare for your appointment, make some notes about:
Write down any additional questions you have about your baby's health or development. During your appointment, don't hesitate to ask any other questions as they occur to you. What to expect from your doctorYour baby's care provider is likely to ask a number of questions, such as:
Your answers to these questions can help your baby's care provider determine if there are other conditions that may be contributing to crying and discomfort. What information would the nurse include when teaching the parents of an infant about colic quizlet?What information would the nurse include when teaching the parents of an infant about colic? Colic symptoms will probably fade at 3 months of age. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying that lasts 3 hours or longer per day and which it has no physical cause. Colic symptoms typically fade around 3 months of age.
Which recommendation would the nurse provide the parent of an infant experiencing teething pain?For some little teethers, breastfeeding will soothe the pain and they'll want to nurse all day, almost back to the newborn days. For others, the act of sucking may make the gums hurt more. Sometimes, giving them a teething aid like a frozen washcloth or silicone teether can help calm them enough for a feeding.
Which condition would the nurse suspect in an infant who cries loudly draws the legs to the abdomen and takes a prolonged period to soothe?A colicky baby may cry for extended amounts of time and be very difficult to soothe.
Which recommendation would the nurse provide the parent of an exclusively breastfed 4 month old about preventing rickets?The current accepted recommendation to prevent rickets in children includes supplementation of exclusively breastfeeding infants with 200–400 IU/day of vitamin D and ensuring adequate calcium intake.
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