Colic in newborns - anti-colic formulas and bottles

Is this constipation?

Many parents are sure that the child should pee and poop at least 10 times a day. But all children are individual, and if your baby defecates only once a day, this is not a reason to panic.

Pediatricians are in a hurry to reassure mothers - infrequent bowel movements are not necessarily constipation, even if the child is bottle-fed. In order to understand whether there are problems, it is necessary to establish not only how many times a day the baby has bowel movements, but also what symptoms it is accompanied by.

If a newborn just rarely poops, but does not experience discomfort - nausea, colic - and does not make any extra efforts to defecate, for example, strong straining, accompanied by crying, then most likely there is no constipation. In addition, a sign of intestinal dysfunction is the consistency and color of stool.

Artificially produced feces are denser and darker. But if your baby’s stool resembles raw smoked sausage or has a grainy consistency (sheep feces), you should contact your pediatrician for help.

The following symptoms indicate constipation when a baby is bottle-fed:

• difficulty defecating less than once a day;
• screaming and crying in the process;
• lack of sleep;
• refusal of food;
• bloating;
• vomit;
• anxiety.

Also, a serious disorder of the intestines is considered to be the situation if, during bowel movements, feces are pulled back into the rectum.

Are formulas to blame for intestinal problems?

Often mothers associate constipation with artificial feeding of a newborn. This is not so far from the truth and is explained either by an incorrectly selected or, on the contrary, too suitable mixture.

It happens that the formula is so well absorbed that the child simply has nothing to poop with. However, often the opposite happens - the baby’s intestines malfunction due to incorrectly selected or incorrectly prepared artificial nutrition.

Constipation when feeding formulas occurs because they contain more protein and less dietary fiber than breast milk. Such food is heavier for the baby’s delicate stomach; it is digested more slowly and, therefore, comes out.

Also, many mothers forget that when feeding formulas it is necessary to supplement the baby with water . If you forget about the drinking regime, your baby will most likely have difficulties with bowel movements.

In addition, constipation during artificial feeding of newborns can occur if the transition from breast milk to formula is too abrupt or if formula is changed frequently.

Pediatricians generally do not recommend changing the formula without carefully monitoring the child. If constipation is expressed exclusively in rare bowel movements, but there is no pain, bloating, or severe straining, we can confidently say that the formula is suitable for the baby, and there is no point in switching him to another.

A newborn is constipated from formula: reasons

• The most common cause of constipation is the wrong mixture. Even if this mixture is popular and in demand and has good reviews, it may not be suitable for your child, all children are different. Try changing the mixture, and if the constipation goes away, then the problem was in the mixture. Pediatricians often advise the use of fermented milk mixtures for children who suffer from constipation. When purchasing a mixture, do not forget to pay attention to the expiration date;
• try making the mixture thinner in consistency, this method may help relieve constipation. Children prone to constipation should not be rushed to switch to formulas for older children, as they are more nutritious and can cause constipation;
• A common cause of constipation is the introduction of complementary foods. Since the child’s body is not yet familiar with new solid food and does not know how to react to it. Therefore, note in your notebook what your child’s reaction is to each new product. And if any of them cause constipation, put this product aside until your baby is older. Doctors also do not recommend giving whole milk to children under one year of age. Since it causes constipation;
• Oddly enough, sometimes constipation is caused by malnutrition. The child eats little, there is nothing to form feces from, it stays in the intestines. You may be giving your child less than what a child should be given at his age. Perhaps the nipple on the bottle is very tight and the baby gets tired during feeding. He stops eating, although he is hungry;
• Constipation can be caused by a lack of fluid in the child's body. Therefore, up to four months, the baby is given water to drink after feeding. From 4 to 6 months they give baby tea to drink, and after six months you can give the baby compotes;
• Sometimes constipation in newborns occurs after stress. The baby could cry, but no attention was paid to him, or he was hungry for a long time, was afraid of strangers, etc.;
• There are diseases of the digestive tract, so it is necessary to see a doctor.

Methods for solving the problem

If a mother is faced with the problem of constipation during artificial feeding, do not leave the situation to chance. But you can’t be too zealous, uncontrollably changing mixtures and experimenting with traditional methods without the permission of your pediatrician.

Harmless actions that you can use yourself:

1. Massage the tummy clockwise. Be careful if your baby's belly button has not yet healed. Don't put too much effort, the movements should be caressing.
2. “Drop” the baby 10 minutes after feeding over a basin or sink. In this case, the baby’s legs must be pressed against the tummy with your knees. Repeat this procedure day after day at the same time, and the artificial child will begin to defecate regularly.
3. Sometimes, when a child tries to poop for a long time and painfully, this task can be made easier for him with the help of glycerin suppositories. But you should not give your baby an enema, give a laxative without a doctor’s prescription, and especially not irritate the anal mucosa with cotton swabs.

In severe cases, you need to consult a doctor so that he can prescribe medications or a medicinal mixture to solve the problem. Among the drugs indicated for infants: Duphalac, Forlax, Bifidumbacterin. They help relieve constipation without changing the formula. The dose and regimen are determined by the pediatrician.

Anti-constipation mixtures

Therapeutic mixtures for constipation differ from the usual ones in the content of prebiotics (oligosaccharides or lactulose), probiotics and less protein. These substances help to more actively digest and eliminate baby food faster, thereby unloading the intestines.

Prebiotics, which act as a natural laxative, are contained in mixtures Similac, Frisolac Gold, Nestogen Prebio, Nutrilak Premium, Agusha Gold, Babushkino Lukoshko, Malyutka, etc.

The most effective mixtures for constipation are HUMANA and Semper, containing a higher amount of lactulose. Lactulose not only has laxative properties, but also promotes the proliferation of bifidobacteria, which leads to the natural improvement of intestinal motility.

In addition, in order for the baby to safely avoid problems with bowel movements, you can initially introduce fermented milk mixtures into his diet. They enhance peristalsis, do not linger in the intestines due to partially fermented protein molecules, and also populate the intestinal microflora with live lactic acid bacteria and contribute to their successful reproduction.

Program with the participation of a specialist: problems with the baby’s tummy

We recommend reading: How and when to introduce complementary foods to bottle-fed babies

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Signs of constipation in a newborn

The baby goes to the toilet every day, usually more than once. A one-month-old baby's intestines empty after every meal, up to 9 times a day. As you get older, the process occurs less frequently. Bowel movement up to 4 times a day is considered normal for up to three months. Then the number of bowel movements decreases. If a child does not have a bowel movement for two days, he is restless and whiny, we can talk about constipation. Although there is now an opinion that while breastfeeding it is acceptable to have no bowel movements for up to 10 days. This is an exceptional case and is unlikely to be normal.

The baby's intestines are not yet perfect; problems may arise with digesting food, so constipation or constipation may occur. This is a common phenomenon, almost all parents have encountered similar problems. The baby's stool is normally of a mushy consistency. If it is dense, resembles a sausage, then the baby is suffering from constipation. When a child does not go to the toilet for two days, but his behavior does not change, there is no need to worry. If the baby cries, worries while eating, tightens his legs, or his stomach feels hard to the touch, you need to help him. Also, the child may push, but there will be no result, even in the form of passing gas.

Mom feels baby's belly

Prolonged presence of feces in the body can lead to intoxication. Harmful substances will be absorbed through the intestinal walls and cause severe poisoning, the baby will become lethargic, sleepy, the temperature may rise, and a rash may appear on the skin. This condition requires contacting a specialist.

How to understand that the mixture is not suitable?

Nutritional admixtures contain twice as much protein as breastfeeding mother's milk. However, they do not contain oligosaccharides that newborns need. It is because of this that food begins to move three times slower through the gastrointestinal tract of babies. This causes the problem of irregular bowel movements and other side effects in children, which include:

• frequent regurgitation;
• allergic reactions;
• bloating;
• pain in the lower abdomen.

After such symptoms appear, we can conclude that the nutritional impurities are not suitable for the baby and something needs to be done about it. Medicinal mixtures are used to treat abnormal stools and eliminate symptoms.

What advantages of the Nestozhen mixture are noted by mothers:

• the child’s stool stabilizes;
• this mixture has a sweetish taste;
• babies are less bothered by colic;
• affordable price.

Normalization of stool and absence of colic indicates the absence of individual intolerance to this mixture. This is facilitated by the prebiotics (natural dietary fiber) included in the mixture, which improve intestinal microflora and prevent constipation.

In addition to prebiotics, the Nestozhen milk formula contains vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a particular age. So be careful what kind of box you buy for your baby. The numbers on the packaging indicate the recommended age for feeding this mixture.

If a newborn is given formula for six-month-olds from the first days, he will begin to have stomach pain, allergic rashes, regurgitation and problems with stool, since his intestines are not ready to accept such an abundance of substances. But a one-year-old baby will not get any unpleasant sensations if he eats formula for newborns, he will just be hungry.

Prevention

Preventing the development of pathology is much easier than dealing with existing symptoms. Compliance with measures aimed at preventing the development of constipation in a child will allow you not to be afraid of the disease and its complications:

• nutrient malabsorption;
• rectal fissures;
• fear of being put on a potty;
• increased gas formation;
• intoxication;
• decreased immunity.

Measures to prevent constipation include:

• organization of the diet: gradual introduction of complementary foods (according to WHO recommendations in compliance with age standards), a variety of nutritious dishes for older children;
• long-term (up to two years) breastfeeding;
• compliance with the drinking regime (at the request of the baby, but not less than the recommended age standards);
• a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits (at least two servings daily);
• active lifestyle: outdoor games, long walks;
• refusal of punishment for inability to go to the potty (the baby may not understand why his mother scolds him and may experience fear of defecation);
• regular scheduled examination by a pediatrician.

When to call a doctor

When a baby’s painful condition is detected at the very beginning, at an early stage, it can be dealt with at home. If the recommendations received are used correctly, the baby’s stool will normalize and will not cause concern to him and the mother.

If a child cannot go to the toilet for several days, suffers, cries, has a hard stomach, does not pass gas, you need to seek help from a specialist. It is also necessary to call a doctor if the stool is hard and contains mucus and blood. If blood is detected, an urgent visit to the pediatrician is necessary, even in the absence of other symptoms. Streaks of blood and mucus are not only associated with constipation; there are many other diseases that explain similar symptoms. Therefore, the child must be examined and examined to prevent complications. If your baby has a fever, is weak and sleepy, and is also suffering from constipation, you need to call an ambulance. Perhaps the poisoning of the body has begun.

Constipation in a child is a common occurrence, both in artificial babies and in breastfed babies. To avoid it and its negative consequences, it is necessary to carefully monitor the baby’s health and not self-medicate, and seek advice from specialists.

“Nan Fermented Milk” - description, composition and features ~

Fermented milk mixture "Nan" for feeding healthy children from birth is baby food enriched with bifidobacteria , designed to help the child cope with digestive disorders such as constipation and colic.

The special composition of the mixture causes its somewhat sour taste.

Baby food is produced in tin cans of 400 g and is intended for infants from birth to one year. You can give it to a child at an older age.

Attention : this nutrition must be prescribed by a doctor; it is better for mother not to make the decision to switch to this mixture herself, since it has some features, which we will discuss below.

According to the manufacturer, the fermented milk mixture “Nan” can be used as the only source of nutrition (course), as well as as a supplement .

However, many doctors are of the opinion that fermented milk formula cannot be the main source of nutrition and recommend alternating it with a regular formula. Many mothers combine feeding with the Nan Fermented Milk mixture with Nan Optipro - several feedings are replaced during the day.

Nan Optipro 1,2,3,4: description, composition comparison, features

Frequently asked questions about Nan Optipro: 16 questions and answers

Who is “Nan Fermented Milk” suitable for?

This food is mainly prescribed to rid the child of dysbiosis, as well as other intestinal disorders.

It is worth mentioning that the mixture in question is not medicinal and is not a fermented milk product. The name “fermented milk” only means that it contains lactic acid bacteria. Fermented milk products are kefir and fermented baked milk, yogurt and Varenets, yogurt.

The formula may not be suitable for a particular child. Some people manage to give this food as their main food for a long time, while others, after the first feeding, realize that this mixture is not suitable for them. It all depends on the preferences and characteristics of each child.

However, if the baby food “Sour Milk Nan” is suitable for the child, then there is no need to change it, it will help the baby improve digestion and gain healthy microflora.

After six months, you can switch from the fermented milk version of the mixture to “Nan with bifidobacteria”.

Advantages of "Nan Fermented Milk"

How is this food different from others and what is its main function?

Due to partial hydrolysis of the protein, this mixture is easier to digest , although, it must be said that only 5-6% of the proteins are broken down.

This food can also be considered more easily digestible due to the fact that in an acidic environment, some microelements are more easily absorbed by the body.

Correction of dysbiosis occurs due to an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria (bifidobacteria) in the intestines, and such bacteria multiply faster and more easily in an acidic environment.

Food production technology reduces the risk of developing intestinal infections .

BIO-fermentation is the process of fermenting a dairy product using live bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Bifidobacteria BL, participating in the process, help protect the child from external infections and increase the newborn’s immunity.

In addition to treating dysbiosis, another advantage of this mixture is the softening of stool consistency. So the mixture also helps with constipation.

Nutritional deficiencies "Nan Fermented Milk"

Rather than shortcomings, we can name the following points as comments:

• the sour taste , so it is not always possible to “feel” the benefits of fermented milk formula for a child, since he simply does not eat it.
• May cause allergies . As already mentioned, this food is not medicinal, and also not hypoallergenic. Especially often, an allergy to Nan Fermented Milk occurs in infants under three months old and prone to allergies.
• Not suitable for children who suffer from severe and frequent regurgitation . This food causes the baby to spit up even more.
• It can cause diarrhea in a healthy child (like any fermented milk product in an adult with an individual tendency to this). For those babies who do not suffer from constipation, “Nan Fermented Milk” is not recommended.
• Change in stool color. Indeed, children who eat “Nan Fermented Milk” have greenish stools. This is, as always, due to a large number of BL bacteria in the composition and is not a deviation from the norm.
• Mixed effectiveness for colic . In infants who suffer from colic, the Nan Fermented Milk mixture can cause either an increase or decrease in the symptom. However, if food was given not as the main food, but as a supplement, then in general there was a decrease in the intensity and pain of colic.

Assortment "Nan Fermented Milk"

This food is intended for three ages:

“Nan 1 Fermented Milk” - for newborns up to six months.

“Nan 2 Fermented Milk” - from 6 months to a year.

“Nan Fermented Milk” - for children over one year old. It is no longer called a mixture, but a “drink”. Serves as an alternative to fermented milk products, which are too early to introduce into a child’s diet.

Composition "Nan Fermented Milk"

Having studied the composition of all three mixtures, you can understand how they differ.

So, the protein content in each mixture is different, the older the child, the more protein in the diet. Moreover, the ratio of casein and whey proteins is also different - “Nan 1 Fermented Milk” is 30% proteins and 70% casein. "Nan 2" - 50% to 50%.

fat , on the contrary, decreases - from 3.55 g to 3.2 g.

Carbohydrates are starch in the first two mixtures, to which maltodextrin is added in the third:

• “Nan 1” - 7.43 g of carbohydrates, of which 1.30 are starch,
• “Nan 2” - 8 g, of which 1.30 is starch.
• The composition "Nan Fermented Milk 3" contains maltodextrin. It's 6.9 mg here.

fatty acids are approximately the same in the mixtures of the first two stages, only alpha-linoleic acid is slightly higher in the first mixture.

Probiotics are represented by bacteria B. Longum (BL) and L Rhamnosus.

As it should be, the mineral content increases from the first-stage mixture to the third-stage mixture. For example, in “Nan Fermented Milk 1” calcium , such an important mineral for the skeletal system, is 40 mg in the first mixture, and 94.1 mg in the third; iron - 0.7 mg versus 1.1 mg; magnesium (important for heart function) – 6.7 mg and 5.9 mg.

Mixture No. 1 contains a lot of manganese - 15.1 mg, and mixture No. 3 contains the most iodine, phosphorus and other elements.

The osmolality of baby food decreases from mixture to mixture:

• “Nan Fermented Milk 1” - 296 mOsm,
• "Nan 2" - 288 mOsm,
• "Nan 3" - 255 mOsm.

“Nan Fermented Milk” didn’t fit?

What to do if the fermented milk mixture “Nan” is not suitable for the baby?

It also happens that the formula is not suitable for a particular baby, his colic increases or he begins to suffer from diarrhea or regurgitation.

Yes, even if the baby doesn’t like the taste of the food, he still won’t eat it, there’s no point in forcing him.

In this case, of course, you need to change your diet.

How to replace “Nan Fermented Milk”?

You can replace this food with anything - any other regular mixture, for example, “Nan” or “Nan Optipro” or a fermented milk mixture, for example, “Nutrilon KM” or “Nestozhen KM”.

This is all about fermented milk baby food from Nan.

Source: https://timosha-s.ru/detskie-smesi/nan-kislomolochnyj-opisanie-sostav-i-osobennosti/