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Suggest Treatment For Flatulence And Frequent Bowel Movements In An Infant

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Posted on Thu, 23 Mar 2017
Question: Hi Doctor,
My daughter is approx 9 weeks old.
For the last 2-3 weeks approx. she starts crying at night (11pm or around 12 midnight) and keeps crying for 2-3 hours or more and then sleeps. Frequency of potty is approx once in 2 days.

We have given her colicaid sometimes which doesn't seem to create any difference. Previously we were giving her mother's milk and formula milk but, now she is taking only mother's feed.
Seems to be gas problem to us as she passes gas during that time and sometimes burp and stops for a moment and then again cries. Sometimes she sleeps around 6 am and awake for the whole night and crying.

Generally she is fine during day time and cries only during night. Please suggest what could be the issue?

Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The child could be crying due to abdominal distension

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. It is good to know that you have shifted back to it.

Babies often get colics after feeds. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration. The extra air taken causes distention and hence colics. Proper burping will ensure its escape and the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe, thus providing relief. You can otherwise continue to give Coliaid when needed. You need not give it on regular basis. It is a safe medicine and you need not worry about any disadvantage of giving it.

Let me know if you have further queries.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 minutes later)
Hi Doctor,
We are giving colicaid sometimes and following the advice given by you like burping the baby and feeding only on mother's milk but, still problem seems to be continuing for approx 3 weeks now.

Sometimes she wakes up around 6-7 PM in the evening and sleeps in the morning around 6 AM after waking up for approx 12 hours with small sleep like 30-45 min in between. Is it normal?

Also, during this time she takes feed in small amounts and at small intervals like every 1-2 hours which sometimes becomes difficult to manage. We are not sure if this behaviour is normal or we need to take some precautions. Please suggest.

Regards,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Such things are common in babies

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

The sleep habits of a baby are different from that of adults. A baby may sleep 16 hours a day but her waking hours may be dispersed primarily in the night hours when we are supposed to be sleeping. This is absolutely typical of babies. There is hardly anything that can be done about it.

Regarding the mentioned behaviour, I would insist to feed from only one breast at a time and to use the alternate breast for the subsequent feed, alternating the breast each time. The gap between feeds should be kept a minimum of 2 hours. Unless you maintain that, there would not the time for adequate amount of milk to collect in the breast and the child will remain unsatisfied and would be naggy.

Feel free to write back.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (31 hours later)
Hi Doctor,
Thanks for your reply.

One query regarding her vaccination. She was given DTP1,Hib1 and rotavirus vaccination on 5th Feb and DTP2, Hib2 and rotavirus is due on 5th March.

1. Is it necesary to give the vaccination on 5th march only or can it be shifted by one week? Is it ok if we take her for vaccination around 11th March?

2. Rotavirus also needs to be given 3 times along with DTP and Hib?

3. Also, she was given pneumococcal vaccine on 20th Feb. Does this vaccine also needs to be given 3 times?

Regards,
XXXX


doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Questions answered one by one.

Detailed Answer:
Let me try to answer your queries.

1. It is ok to take her for vaccination on or around 11th March.

2. 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine are essential. The doses are independent of the doses of DTP and HiB. However, they are usually given together.

3. 4 doses of Pneumococcal vaccine are recommended (2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months).

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)
Hi Doctor,

Thanks again for your reply.
One last query regarding OPV vaccine.

She was given first OPV at birth. (22nd Dec 2016)
Second OPV was given on 19th Feb 2017
When shall we take her for next OPV/IPV?

Can IPV be given along with rotavirus, DTP2 and Hib2 on 11th March? We are at a different place now and the doctor here is not having oral polio vaccine. He said that he will be giving IPV along with other on 11th March. Will it be ok as she was given OPV on 19 Feb and now will be given IPV on 11th Mar?

Regards,
XXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Administer them together on 11th March

Detailed Answer:
It is better to administer IPV than OPV. It would be preferable to administer it along with DTP2 and Hib2 on 11th March.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Flatulence And Frequent Bowel Movements In An Infant

Brief Answer: The child could be crying due to abdominal distension Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone through your query and understand your concerns. Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. It is good to know that you have shifted back to it. Babies often get colics after feeds. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration. The extra air taken causes distention and hence colics. Proper burping will ensure its escape and the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe, thus providing relief. You can otherwise continue to give Coliaid when needed. You need not give it on regular basis. It is a safe medicine and you need not worry about any disadvantage of giving it. Let me know if you have further queries. Regards