Sick child sleeping all day

Emergency Symptoms Not to Miss

Most life-threatening emergencies are easy to recognize. You would not overlook major bleeding, breathing that stops, a seizure or a coma. You would call 911 for help.

If you suspected poisoning, you would call the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
Some emergency symptoms, however, can be missed or ignored. Here's that important list.
If your child has any of these symptoms, call your child's doctor now. If you can't reach them, go to the nearest ER. For a few of these symptoms, call 911.

Sick Newborn

Your baby is less than 1 month old and has a fever or looks sick. This includes vomiting, cough, or even poor color. Your baby may start to act abnormal if they are getting sick. Examples are poor feeding or sleeping too much. At this age, these symptoms are serious until proven otherwise. During the first month of life, infections can progress very fast.

Lethargy

Your young child is lethargic if she stares into space or won't smile. She won't play at all or hardly responds to you. Your child is too weak to cry or hard to wake up. These are serious symptoms.
Note: Sleeping more when sick is normal. When awake, your child should be alert.

Confusion

The sudden onset of confusion is serious. Your child is awake but says strange things. She sees things that aren't there. She doesn't recognize you.
Note: Brief confusion for 5 minutes or so can be seen with high fevers. This can be normal. But, if not brief, confusion can have some serious causes.

Severe Pain

Severe pain keeps your child from doing all normal activities. Your child won't play or even watch a favorite TV show. They just want to be left alone. Your child may cry when you try to hold or move them. Children with severe pain also can't sleep or can only fall asleep briefly.

Inconsolable Crying

Constant nonstop crying is caused by severe pain until proven otherwise. Suspect this in children who can't sleep or can only fall asleep briefly. When awake, they will not join in any normal activities. They won't play or be distracted. They may be very hard to console. Caution: Instead of crying, severe pain may cause your child to moan or whimper.

Can't Walk

If your child has learned to walk and then suddenly won't, call your doctor. He may have a serious injury to the legs or a problem with balance. If your child walks bent over holding his stomach, he may have appendicitis.

Vomits Bile

Vomiting that is bright green is most often bile. Unless your child drank a green liquid, this is not normal. It can mean the intestines are blocked up. This is a surgical emergency.
Note: Vomiting some yellow fluid is normal. The yellow color is from stomach acid.

Tender Belly

Press on your child's belly while she is distracted by a toy or book. You should be able to press in an inch or so without a problem. If your child winces or screams, it suggests a serious cause. If the belly is also bloated and hard, it's more urgent.
Note: If your child just pushes your hand away, you haven't distracted her enough.

Pain in Testicle or Scrotum

Sudden pain in the scrotum can be from twisting (torsion) of the testicle. This needs surgery within 8 hours to save the testicle.

Trouble Breathing

Breathing is essential for life. Most childhood deaths are caused by severe breathing problems. Breathing problems can be caused by throat or lung infections. Parents need to learn to recognize trouble breathing. If your child has tight croup or wheezing, they need to be seen now. Other bad signs are fast breathing, grunting with each breath, bluish lips, or retractions. This means the skin pulls in between the ribs with each breath. It is a sign of trouble breathing in younger children. Children with severe breathing problems can't drink, talk or cry. If your child is struggling to breathe, call 911.

Bluish or Gray Lips

Bluish lips, tongue, or gums can mean not enough oxygen in the bloodstream. Call 911.
Note: Bluish skin only around the mouth (not the lips) can be normal. It can be caused by being cold or being afraid.

Trouble Swallowing with Drooling

The sudden onset of drooling or spitting means your child is having trouble swallowing. Most often, this is from severe swelling in the throat. The cause can be a serious throat infection. A serious allergic reaction can also cause trouble swallowing. Swelling in the throat could close off the airway.

Dehydration

Dehydration means that your child's body fluids are low. Dehydration often is caused by severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. Suspect dehydration if your child has not urinated in 8 hours. Crying no tears and a dry inside of the mouth (tongue) are also signs. In young babies, the soft spot in the head is sunken. Dehydrated children are also tired and weak.
Note: If your child is alert, playful and active, he is not yet dehydrated. Children with severe dehydration become dizzy when they stand. Dehydration needs extra fluids by mouth or vein.

Bulging Soft Spot

The soft spot in your baby's head is tense and bulging. This means the brain is under pressure.

Stiff Neck

A stiff neck means your child can't touch the chin to the chest. To test for a stiff neck, lay your child down. Then lift his head until the chin touches the chest. If he fights you, place a toy or coin on the belly. This makes him have to look down to see it. Older children can simply be asked to look at their belly button. A stiff neck can be an early sign of meningitis.
Note: Without fever, a stiff neck is often from sore neck muscles.

Neck Injury

Talk to your child's doctor about any neck injury, regardless of the symptoms. Neck injuries carry a risk of damage to the spinal cord.

Purple or Blood-Red Spots or Dots

Purple or blood-red spots or dots on the skin need to be seen. When present with fever, they could be a sign of a serious bloodstream infection. The color of these serious rashes will not change when you press on them. The color of normal viral rashes will fade with skin pressure.
Note: Bumps and bruises on the shins from active play are different.

Fever (over 100.4°F or 38 °C) in the First 3 Months

Fevers in newborns and young babies are treated differently than fevers in older children. Bacterial infections are more common at this age and can get worse quickly. A fever is a rectal or forehead temp of 100.4 F° (38.0° C) or higher. All babies under 3 months of age with a fever need to be seen now. They need tests to decide if the cause is viral or bacterial.

Fever over 105° F (40.6° C)

A fever tells you that your child has an infection. Serious infections can occur with low-grade fevers as well as higher fevers. All the above symptoms are stronger signs of serious illness than the level of fever. Research shows fevers alone are a risk factor only when very high. That means levels above 105°F (40. 6°C). So, call your doctor if your child's fever goes above 104° F (40° C). This is a safe rule.

Chronic Diseases

Most active chronic diseases can have some serious complications. If your child has a chronic disease, learn what those complications are. Find out how to recognize the early changes. Diseases at highest risk for serious infections are those that weaken the immune system. These include sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, or taking oral steroids. If you are talking with health workers who don't know your child, speak up. Always tell them about your child's chronic disease (such as asthma). Never assume the doctors and nurses already know this.

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

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Last Reviewed: 11/30/2022

Last Revised: 01/13/2022

Dangerous Kids' Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

As parents, we're always on the lookout for dangerous kids' health symptoms. But how do you know when to call the doctor? You're tuned in to every skinned knee, sneeze and cough and in the vast majority of cases, such symptoms don't warrant a trip to the emergency room or even a call to your pediatrician. But how do you know when they do? Here are the top health symptoms you should never ignore in your kids:

1. High Fever
It's just a fact of parenthood: Your child is going to have a fever at some point. The good news is that fevers are completely normal and usually nothing to worry about. "Fevers are a response to infections—it means the body is doing what it need to do to fight them off," says Scott Goldstein, M.D., a pediatrician at The Northwestern Children's Practice in Chicago and a clinical instructor at Northwestern University School of Medicine. The one exception: In infants under 2 months, see your doctor immediately whenever the rectal temperature is over 100. 4 degrees. "Because they are more vulnerable to infection, fevers in children this age are always potentially serious," says Andrew Adesman, M.D., chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the Steven & Alexandra Children's Medical Center of New York.

For older babies and children, parents shouldn't get too worried, even if the fever spikes very high. "We treat fever with medicine such as acetaminophen to make kids more comfortable, not because it's dangerous—even if it's 105 degrees," says Dr. Goldstein. "As the temperature goes up, the head and face often get flushed and sweaty, the heart beats faster and the breathing rate is faster, but as long as these symptoms go away as the temperature comes down with medicine, we don't worry any more about a temperature of 105 than we do about a temp of 102." All experts agree that parents should be more concerned with how their child looks than with the number of the temperature. If your older child is having trouble breathing, looking pale and acting out-of-the ordinary after you've given him medicine to reduce his fever, then notify your doctor immediately.

2. Headache
Most children will complain of a headache occasionally, and there are plenty of causes for one: allergies, poor sleep, vision problems or just staring at the TV for too long. And in the vast majority of cases, headaches can simply be treated with pain medication, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, there are some red flags to watch out for: "It is unusual for children under age four to complain of a headache, for kids to wake up in the middle of the night with headaches (especially with vomiting), or for headaches to be accompanied by loss of balance, blurred vision, weakness, or loss of coordination," says Dr. Goldstein. "Any of the above needs to be evaluated by a doctor quickly, although usually you can wait until regular office hours. Severe headaches, ones that do not improve with pain medication, ones accompanied by neck stiffness or pain with bright light should be evaluated in the emergency room right away." Also, notify your doctor if your child's headaches are recurrent, particularly painful, or if they don't go away easily. Again, rest assured that most headaches are completely benign—it's just important that you notice out-of-the ordinary symptoms to rule out more serious conditions like bacterial meningitis, head trauma and, in very rare cases, brain tumors.

3. Cuts and Scrapes
Skinned knees and boo-boos are just part of the territory when it comes to little kids. There's no need to panic every time yours gets one—most will heal in no time. "Your first priority is always to control the bleeding and keep the cut clean," explains Anita Chandra-Puri, M.D., a pediatrician in Chicago and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. "If you can't control the bleeding after 30 minutes or if the cut is gaping, see your physician right away." Not only might your child need stitches, but it's also important that the physician clean the wound thoroughly to prevent an infection. Also, notify your doctor quickly if, at any point, you notice redness or swelling around the wound, inflammation or discharge, or if your child is in excessive pain, lethargic or feverish. Not only do you want to make sure there isn't an infection, but it's crucial to rule out sepsis, which is a very serious medical condition in which bacteria gets into the blood stream and the body attacks its own organs and tissues as an immune response. "A cut shouldn't affect the general well-being of a child," adds Dr. Adesman. "Sepsis will make a child look very sick, so if your child has a cut and is suddenly feverish or has a change in his level or alertness, alert your doctor and/or seek emergency care immediately." A quick diagnosis of sepsis -- which can be treated with antibiotics and intensive care—can be life-saving.

4. Vomiting
Sorry, but if you're the mom of a young child you’re going to deal with throw-up at some point. It's gross, but it's part of the territory of being a parent. In most cases, vomiting is caused by gastroenteritis (known as stomach flu) which is benign and simply has to run its course. What's most important in these cases is to watch your child; when a child can't hold down even small quantities of fluids, dehydration is a serious risk. Signs of dehydration include decreased urine output, sunken eyes, extreme sleepiness, parched lips, or if your baby is crying but not producing tears. If you think your child might be dehydrated, or if your child is throwing up repeatedly and is six months or younger, call your doctor right away. Extreme dehydration can be very serious, but it's fixable—you might have to take a trip to the hospital so your little one can receive fluids through an IV. If your child is throwing up blood, call your doctor immediately to rule out serious illnesses. And if his vomit contains bile—a bright greenish yellow substance—or has blood that looks like coffee grounds, get to the emergency room right away to make sure he doesn't have a life-threating condition like a blocked intestine.

5. Diarrhea
As with vomiting, diarrhea is usually the (gross) result of a stomach bug. It will usually subside on its own once the virus has passed through your child's system. Again, it's most important to watch out for dehydration and get to the emergency room if the diarrhea is accompanied by severe stomach pain, or if your child is having trouble staying awake, says Dr. Goldstein. Notify your doctor right away if there's blood in the stool—though, in many cases, blood can just be a result of excess straining—or if the stool is atypical in any way. One other possible cause to consider: If your child has persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding, reduced appetite or weight loss, talk to your doctor about checking for ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, two chronic conditions which can be treated once diagnosed.

6. Rashes
Rashes are very common during childhood, and the vast majority are nothing to worry about. That being said, there are times when you should notify your doctor. "Purple rashes, painful rashes or rashes associated with other significant illness symptoms such as a fever or vomiting should prompt an urgent visit to your physician," says Dr. Chandra-Puri. "If your child has a rash but is otherwise acting well, then you may want to see your doctor if it doesn't go away on its own in a few days," says Dr. Goldstein. Of course, parents should always be on the lookout for allergic reactions. If your child suddenly develops an itchy rash, give him a dose of Benadryl and watch him closely to see if the reaction subsides. However, anything more than a mild reaction requires immediate medical attention. "If you notice any difficulty breathing, wheezing, trouble swallowing, if your child's lips and face are swollen, or if he's saying he has abdominal pain or a weird feeling in his throat, it could be a sign of anaphylactic reaction." Use an EpiPen if you have one, and call 911 immediately.

7. Pain While Urinating
If your little girl is complaining of pain when she pees, chances are it's vulvitis, an inflammation of the vulva most likely caused by bubble baths or harsh soaps. Another possible cause: a urinary tract infection (UTI). In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, UTIs account for more than a million visits to pediatricians' offices each year. The key is knowing how to detect one: For younger babies, they might seem irritable, feverish or they might vomit or have trouble feeding. Older children might complain of discomfort while peeing, an increased urge to urinate, foul-smelling urine, and wetting their pants even after they've been potty trained. They also might have a fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, notify your doctor, who can prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection if that's the cause. Also, try to prevent UTIs in the first place: Avoid giving your daughter bubble baths, don’t let her use strong soaps, make sure she always wipes front to back, and check that her underwear isn't too tight. If your little boy is complaining of pain while urinating—a symptom much more common in girls—call the doctor.

8. Excessive Sleepiness
If your child is taking extra naps or seems to hit the hay earlier than usual, chances are he's just not getting enough sleep. Keep in mind that kids need a lot of shut-eye: According to the National Sleep Foundation, infants need 14-15 hours, toddlers need 12 to 14 hours, preschoolers require 11-13 hours and school-aged children up to age 10 need 10 or 11 hours. So, how to know if excessive sleepiness is a sign of something serious? "Sick toddlers and children will often sleep more than they usually would since rest helps the body heal, but you should be able to wake your child up if you try, and she should answer your questions or, if she's too young to do so, at least focus on you," says Dr. Goldstein. "If that's not the case, or if you have an infant who is not waking up to feed, you should call your doctor immediately to help determine what the cause might be."

9. Lack of Interest in School
Most kids wake up once in a while saying, "Mommy, I don't want to go to school today." Maybe they're just tired or looking for a little extra one-on-one time with you. And that's normal. However, if this is occurring on a regular basis, it's worth notifying your child's doctor. "For the most part, kids like going to school, seeing their friends, learning interesting things, and having fun on the playground," says Joan Bregstein, M. D., associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center. "So if a child doesn't want to go to school, especially if he's also not eating or sleeping well, that could indicate a problem. For instance, a child can have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and feel lost or out of place in class because they're having trouble focusing." Also, a child might be battling depression or they might be having trouble with bullies in school. Bottom line: If your child doesn't seem to like school, work with his teachers and doctor to figure out why so you can get him the help he needs.

10. Bruises
Don't rush to the doctor every time you notice your child has a bruise—children, especially toddlers just learning to walk, and school-aged kids often have bruises from falling and playing on the playground. Yet, there are exceptions. "If you notice your child has bruises in areas you don't expect her to have, like the back or abdomen, or if she bruises quickly, that could indicate a hematologic problem ranging from the benign to the very serious, like leukemia," says Dr. Bregstein. However, remember that in most cases, bruises on a child means he's just getting a lot of exercise during recess.

11. Difficulty Reading
If you child is having trouble following along in class or with reading, don't just assume his problems are academic. It could be that he is having trouble seeing. "If you have a child who seems to have deteriorating academic function, one of the possible explanations is that he's having difficulty with blackboard work and distance vision," explains Dr. Adesman. Make an appointment for an evaluation by an eye doctor to see if your child needs glasses. Ask your pediatrician for a referral. Also, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association can both help you locate an eye doctor in your area.

12. Swelling in Joints
Just like adults, many children will experience aches in their arms and legs, especially once they get involved with sports. However, it's important to watch out for swelling. "It is common for children to complain of occasional arm or leg pain, but visible swelling of the joints is uncommon and should be evaluated at your doctors office, or in the emergency room if it is severe enough that it prevents movement or if it occurs after a fall," says Dr. Goldstein. Adds Dr. Chandra-Puri: "Persistent, asymmetric, or painful swelling of the joints should prompt medical attention." And, of course, if your child spikes a fever and has swollen, red, painful joints, seek medical care immediately to rule out sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious conditions.

13. Excessive Thirst
Yes, kids need plenty of fluids to keep up with their constant activity. However, if you suddenly notice your child drinking a lot more than usual, particularly for several days in a row, or if he's waking in the night to drink, notify your doctor, as it might be a sign of diabetes (especially if accompanied by excessive urination.) The reason: With diabetes, excess sugar builds up in the blood and the body tries to flush it out through drinking and urination. A person with diabetes might also experience weight loss, fatigue and an increased appetite. It's important to diagnose diabetes as soon as possible, so your child can start getting insulin injections before symptoms get out of hand.

14. Stiff Neck
We've all woken up with a crick in the neck from time to time, and kids are no exception. They might complain of a sore neck as a result of not sleeping properly, muscle strain, or even a sore throat. And in those cases, a mild anti-inflammatory like Advil or Motrin, along with warm towels or a heating pad to control the muscle spasms should help the pain subside. However, experts warn that if your child has a stiff neck along with a fever, you should seek medical care immediately—though very rare, it's crucial to rule out meningitis, an inflammation of the covering around the brain and spinal cord. Other symptoms in young children can include flu-like symptoms, crankiness, sensitivity to light and a refusal to eat. Bottom line: "A fever associated with a stiff neck is meningitis until proven otherwise," says Dr. Bregstein. "A stick neck without a fever but with weakness or tingling in the arms could indicate a slipped disk or something involving the spine." Either way, call your doctor right away.

A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.

When is a doctor urgently needed? Neuro-Clinic Medical Center.

March 4, 2019

In the state of a sick child, several zones are conditionally distinguished: green, yellow and red (similar to a traffic light). When children have a cold, they can be in a safe "green zone" even at high temperatures (up to 41 ° C, if they do not have severe neurological disorders or heart defects), because fever is a tool in the fight against viruses, it does not poses a threat. However, there are “red flags” that every parent should be able to recognize in time.

1. The child is lethargic, wants to sleep all the time

The first thing parents should pay attention to is that the child has become less active. The usually smiling, running, playing baby suddenly became lethargic. He is not interested in what is happening around, wakes up only after you wake him up, immediately falls asleep again or does not wake up at all.
2. Discoloration of the skin

If the skin is pale, this is a reason to take the child to the doctor. When it is bright red, "variegated" or ash gray, this is a signal to consult a pediatrician without delay.
3. Rapid breathing

“Crackling” is heard in the child’s chest, he “grunts”. The respiratory rate in children 6-12 months of age exceeds 50 breaths per minute, in children older than a year - 40 breaths per minute. With such symptoms, call an ambulance.

4. Tachycardia

Increased heart rate. A child up to a year has more than 160 beats per minute, 1-2 years old - more than 150 beats per minute, 2-5 years old - more than 140 beats per minute.
5. Signs of dehydration

Even when the temperature is high, the child's skin may be normal in color and the mucous membranes may be moist. This means that the fluid that he loses through sweat, breathing and urination is replenished.

If this does not happen, the lips and mucous membranes of the child will be dry, the frequency of urination will decrease (less than 1 time in 4 hours). He will refuse liquid or be unable to swallow it. Babies will be sluggish and suck a little.

If dehydration is suspected, the skinfold release time should be checked. Grab the skin on the abdomen on the side of the navel with your thumb and forefinger. Then unclench your fingers: if the skin fold stretches for more than 3 seconds, show the child to the doctor. If it does not straighten out for more than 5 seconds, call an ambulance.
6. Discharge from the ears

Any fluid leaking from the ears - pus or bloody discharge - is most likely a sign of perforation of the eardrum, which requires urgent examination.

7. Chills, vomiting and other symptoms

It is quite common for mild viral infections for parents not to see a doctor. However, remember that the child must be examined by a doctor if he has the following symptoms.

Temperature above 39°C in a 3-6 month old child: fever persists for more than 5 days; chills - a feeling of cold, which is accompanied by muscle tremors; severe swelling/edema of the extremities or joints; weakness in an arm or leg.

Call an ambulance immediately: if the temperature is above 38°C in a child under 3 months old; the rash does not turn pale when pressed; vomiting fountain; the neck is motionless / there was a photophobia; stool with blood; pain in the abdomen, especially in the right half; swelling or hyperemia of the scrotum; unexplained persistent weight loss; increased persistent sweating for more than 6 weeks; persistent epileptic convulsions; neurological symptoms appeared: facial distortion, speech disturbance, impaired coordination of movement, recurring headaches, the child does not use one or more limbs in the game / life activity.

90,000 child During illness

05/18/2016

73485

Why doesn’t sleep at night

Author

Natalya Trofimova

Senior Snow Pediatrician

of two daughters

By disrupting sleep, our body can respond to deviations in health. In medical reference books, sleep disorders are listed as a symptom of many diseases. We will analyze when a doctor’s consultation is needed before establishing a child’s sleep.

Child's crisis calendar

Conditions that often affect sleep

Viral infections

Fever, runny nose, cough, change in voice, appetite . Sleep disturbance may appear 1-2 days before the temperature rises. Children under one year of age with an increase in temperature need to be examined by a pediatrician, although treatment for uncomplicated SARS is minimal. According to modern recommendations - only antipyretic, nasal cleansing, drinking plenty of water. Antiviral and expectorant drugs have not been proven effective.

Sleep will return to normal after recovery, in the first days the baby can even sleep more than usual, get enough sleep. And during illness, it is recommended to help the child in every possible way to fall asleep and sleep more. Sleep helps immune cells and liver cells to recover faster, which copes with the consequences of a storm of chemical reactions, intoxication and synthesizes building proteins for new cells to replace the affected ones.

In 2019, The Journal of Experimental Medicine published a study by German scientists that showed that sleep positively affects the expression of integrin receptors by T-cells of the immune system. These are special protein molecules on the surface of the immune cell, with the help of which it attaches to virus-infected cells and destroys them. An increase in stress hormones during sleep deprivation interferes with this mechanism.

Itchy skin

This is a serious enemy of healthy sleep. During severe itching, the proportion of deep sleep decreases. At night, itching intensifies for several reasons: transepidermal water loss and skin dryness increase, the level of corticosteroids in the body decreases, their anti-inflammatory effect weakens, parasympathetic activity and a number of other circadian mechanisms increase.

If you yourself have suffered from atopic diseases, you know how unpleasant it is. And in a baby, even a small speck of dermatitis can lead to anxiety. After all, the size of this speck in relation to the surface area of \u200b\u200bhis body is not at all the same as that of an adult. It is necessary to understand the causes of the rash and treat it together with a pediatrician and a dermatologist. Keep a food diary and take it with you to your doctor's appointment.

A polysomnographic study of a group of children in remission of atopic dermatitis showed that they had more nocturnal awakenings than the control group, with only 15% of awakenings due to scratching. Scientists suggest that chronic itching alters the neurochemical environment in such a way that the processes involved in the mechanisms of sleep maintenance are affected.

When the symptoms of dermatitis subside, it is important not to forget about the basic care of dry sensitive skin. Hydration and more moisture. Cream, lotion or ointment for therapeutic care are selected individually, applied to the skin regularly, as often as necessary. After bathing, use emollient directly on damp skin to retain more moisture in the epidermis. This is especially important during the heating season.

Emollients change the quality of a child's life by eliminating dryness and itching, reduce the frequency of dermatitis relapses and the cost of treating exacerbations. The most famous are: Emolium, Locobase RIPEA, Atopic, Perfectoin, Atoderm, Topicrem, Avene, CeraVe, Uriage, Lipikar LaRoche-Posay. More budgetary: Lipobase, Crumb Cream, La Cree, CudoCell, Aveeno, Bepanthen Cream, Vaseline (yes, yes).

Abdominal pains

They also affect sleep. We will not consider acute surgical conditions and intestinal infections. Let's talk about the most common causes of abdominal pain in babies.

The famous colic is actually not as common as people think. Much more often, babies cry from simple overwork. According to various researchers, colic occurs in 5–19%, at most 40% of newborns, by 4–6 months their number decreases to 7–11% [1]. The data differ so much because the condition of the baby is assessed subjectively and it is possible to say for sure that these are colic only when they have passed. How to understand that the child really has colic? Read this article. In short, the rule of threes applies: daily crying for at least 3 hours, at least 3 days a week, at least 3 weeks in a row.

Simethicone preparations may temporarily help with increased flatulence, but they do not act on the causes of flatulence. In the first months of life, the child's intestines gradually adapt to a new type of nutrition. Indeed, before birth, the gastrointestinal tract "rested", the baby ate without his participation.

A dairy-free diet for breastfeeding mothers may be effective in cases of increased gas production if it is associated with cow's milk protein intolerance. If after a week or two there is no result of the diet, the allergy has nothing to do with it, you should not limit yourself in nutrition for a long time.

Feeding problems also affect excessive gas production:

Incorrect nipple latch leads to air swallowing.
An imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk, when the baby is fed infrequently, the mother offers the second breast too quickly when feeding, or the baby is weak and cannot effectively suck out the hindmilk. With such feedings, gas formation increases.
When formula-fed, the baby may not be suitable for formula or the nipple on the bottle, or the hole in the nipple is too large.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) — reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. It differs from ordinary regurgitation: the volume is more than 1-2 tablespoons, an hour or more after feeding, crying after regurgitation, the contents may contain bile, an admixture of blood.

A child with reflux gains weight poorly, urinates little, has a hoarse voice when crying, often has acute respiratory infections, otitis, sleep apnea. GER is often combined with prematurity, lactase deficiency, birth injuries of the cervical spine, hernias.

Constipation . This is not only a delay in stool for several days, followed by painful bowel movements, but also daily, but hard stools, which is also unpleasant. It is not necessary to consider constipation the absence of stool in infants (even for a week), which does not bother them at all. There are many possible causes of constipation, from too much complementary food to Hirschsprung's disease and hypothyroidism.

These are the most common causes of gastrointestinal sleep disorders, when a child sleep consultant cannot help and a pediatrician should be consulted.

Teething (dentation) .

For many children, this process affects the quality of sleep and the duration of bedtime. Read more in this article. General manifestations during teething are short-lived and almost do not require treatment. When in doubt, take your child to the doctor. Sleep disturbances during dentition are short-lived and last only a few days at the peak of eruption.

A large study has been carried out in order to establish the most characteristic symptoms of teething. It was found that increased salivation, swelling of the gums, anxiety, sleep disturbance, reddening of the cheeks, decreased appetite and a slight increase in body temperature were statistically significantly associated with the process of dentition. At the same time, significant differences were recorded only for 8 days (4 days before, on the day of eruption and 3 days after eruption), so scientists called this period the “eight-day window of teething”.

How sleep changes when feeling worse
- The child wakes up more often at night due to fever, pain (in the gums, in the throat), skin itching, coughing, runny nose and nasal congestion, and chaotic daytime sleep.
- Children may sleep unusually long during fever.
- Laying is delayed in case of discomfort in the gums, exacerbation of dermatitis and itching. With difficulty in nasal breathing and coughing in a horizontal position, it is difficult for a child to relax and fall asleep.
Sickness while working on sleep

If you are working on improving your baby's sleep and suddenly he gets sick or teething, it will complicate the situation. Regardless of whether you are acting alone or accompanied by a consultant, it is necessary to assess the well-being of the child.

With mild symptoms, not disturbed appetite and normal behavior, you can continue to work, if necessary, stay longer at one stage or another. With an increase in temperature and a clear malaise, work according to the method is suspended at the reached stage or, if necessary, steps are taken back, for a while it is even possible to return to the previous association to sleep. When a child feels bad, he is not up to learning, you need to comfort the baby and help him, we pause in working on sleep. We help to fall asleep, we prolong sleep, we do not wake up from daytime dreams, we put them to bed earlier with short daytime dreams.
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