Hypoglycaemia Colic

Managing Hypoglycemia & Colic
We need a certain amount of sugar, in the form of glucose, for normal functioning of the body. When the level of glucose in the blood decreases if affects the functioning of our brain. While in the womb the baby feeds through the umbilical cord and the blood glucose levels are more or less constant. After childbirth the umbilical cord is cut and the baby has to adjust to the resultant fall in blood glucose levels. Immediately after birth it is normal for the glucose levels in the blood to drop for a day or two. The baby's brain will get the energy it requires from the glycogen that is stored in the liver and is a substitute for glucose. The baby may not feed well for the first few days. As long as he is healthy and normal there is no cause to worry. If the baby is breast-feeding, there is no need to give him sugar water to increase his glucose level. Some babies may have a problem with this fall blood sugar level. They are:

* Sick babies
* Premature babies.
* Those babies who have not developed well in the womb.
* Babies whose mothers are diabetic.

Doctors and nurses monitor babies in the above categories closely. They monitor:

* Baby's body temperature.
* Baby's respiratory function.
* Baby's skin color.
* Watch whether the baby is restless.

If the blood sugar levels are very low the baby may be administered glucose drips intravenously. Though the best way of ensuring that the baby gets the right amount of glucose in breast-feeding him.

Colic
The word 'colic' is used to describe a specific crying pattern. The baby seems to be terribly upset by the pain it is undergoing and cries continuously. If the baby draws his knees to his stomach, clenches his fists and makes a disgusting face while crying then he has colic. Colic usually begins when the baby is three or four weeks old and is at its worst when the baby is about eight weeks old. Babies with colic cry for long spells, which can last a few hours, usually in the evening or night. Though the child can be consoled for sometime, he begins to cry again for no apparent reason. Normally babies with colic are happy, in good health and well developed. It is in very rare cases that colic lasts beyond three months. Some babies may show signs of colic till they are about five months old. Colic is a result of:

* An upset stomach
* Under developed nervous system
* Fluid that flows back into the esophagus from the stomach.
* Air trapped in the stomach forming gas.

When the see their baby suffer so much as a result of colic parents often blame themselves. They think it is a result of something they are doing or not doing. But this is not the case. No matter what causes colic there is little the parents can do to make their baby feel better. Here are a few tips to help the baby:

* Bath the baby in lukewarm water.
* Wrap them in cotton covering so that they feel safe.
* Give their feet a massage.
* Give them a dummy to suck on.
* Give them gripe water or colic drops.
* Dissolve three teaspoons of sugar in a cup of boiling water, cool it and then slowly give it to the baby using a teaspoon.

You can consult your doctor for more advice. Ask family members to help out in taking care of the baby if colic is a regular feature. Colic has no lasting effect on the baby.