Bellynda

physiotherapist

Justyna Miller

*friends call her Isia

Why do babies suffer from colic?

From the very first moments of life, the baby struggles with ailments of the digestive system. Intestinal contractions and abdominal muscle tension lead to crying. Colic is the result of the natural underdevelopment of the digestive system. The baby in the womb is nourished by the mother’s parenteral nutrition through the bloodstream and is supplied with all the necessary nutrients via the umbilical cord. Therefore, shortly after birth, the infant’s intestines are not ready to digest any food. The baby first receives colostrum, the initial yellow-coloured milk, rich in antibodies, and only then begins to digest milk.

Colic is also often the consequence of not holding the breast or bottle properly. As a result, air enters the baby’s digestive system, which lodges in the intestines and distends them. This stretches the smooth intestinal muscles, causing the baby pain and irritability.

What else can help during colic?

1. Warmth – Gently warming the abdominal muscles relaxes them, and that is where Bellynda comes in! The thermal insert in the pocket causes the smooth muscles to relax and reduces irritability in the little one.

2. The appropriate position – The „lazy man” position promotes relaxation of the abdominal integuments. Make sure the position is stable and support the pelvis with your hand. The baby’s head should be higher than his or her body and should rest on the parent’s forearm. Remember to keep the baby’s bottom tucked up, to benefit the flexor muscles. You can walk with the baby in this position, rocking him or her horizontally at a relaxed pace. Avoid rhythmic up-and-down rocking as the effect can be the opposite – the baby can be overstimulated and irritable.

3. Hand massage – After warming the belly, it is a good idea to give it a gentle massage with a warm hand, clockwise

4. Feet to tummy – When the baby is lying in a bent position, you can bring the abdominal muscle attachments closer together by directing the legs towards the tummy. Such position loosens the muscles and makes it easier for babies to pass gas.

Does the tummy position affect the colic?

Often babies respond by crying when parents try the tummy position because they associate it with a lot of effort and pain. When lying on the belly, the baby does great work to stabilise the position using the deep abdominal muscles. These muscles are responsible for the digestive system, the correct positioning of the diaphragm and the oesophageal sphincter. As they work, they contract and relax, which means that the tummy also massages itself. If you avoid this position, problems can increase because the muscles are weakened. Let the baby get used to the position. Observe the effort tolerance and at the same time do not exceed its limits. Otherwise, the infant will become discouraged, and getting used to the position will be more difficult. It is advisable to start with frequent lying on the tummy for a few seconds and gradually increase the time and frequency

When babies lie on their backs, their field of vision is severely restricted. In addition, newborns cannot see clearly yet, so the only thing they perceive is light. They follow it, often bending over to see it. They do not yet have the ability to turn on their own, so it is up to the parents to arrange a tummy position that provides a more favourable environment for them to explore the world.