For the past 9-weeks my neighbors child has been crying. Her one child is 18-months old, and her youngest has just turned 4-months. Shes asked my wife to have me look at the children, having worked for years as Senior Counselor at a notable hospital in Prescott Wisconsin, in the child development ward, back in the 90s. So I stopped over to look at the children, and assuming there are no big medical problems, and I didnt see any spinal cord issues, or any bruises or such things (incidentally, this is taking place in Lima, Peru). Anyhow, I eliminated child abuse, and for the moment, anything that might have to do with heavy medical issues, and I say only for the moment, things change as they did on the child ward I worked from day to day (this is one case, and most recent). There are many reasons children cry, but I shall eliminated many, and just point out the ones I used or looked at to solve this mystery if indeed I did solve it, and I did for the moment, because the child has been quiet for the past day. I visited the family (the other day), they live in back by us, and again, their situation is very poor, so poor, I doubt an American could conceive such living conditions, but this was not the main issue here. The children took turns crying, for the most part. I checked the dipper situation, it was not that, or the hunger situation, and it was not that either; I mean, they didnt have a lot of food, but then most Peruvians dont anyway, and most dont cry like these two. They dont use warm water either in Peru, unless you are a little above average income, and even then they dont so this was not the reason. I got thinking perhaps the children were uncomfortable, but children adapt, and this does not account for hours of crying on a daily bases, especially for three hours on and off (normally after 6:00 PM or so), and at night it continues. She had a pacifier for the child so it seemed to help at times, but not all the time. I rubbed the babys back and the young one seemed to get some comfort out of it, I even talked baby talk to the baby, and watched the other child get jealous, giving one more attention than the other, and then I rocked the little one, carried her around the apartment some. My conclusion was, she had colic; she seemed to tighten her legs, and pass gas, especially when I rubbed her stomach. And with all this crying, and the young one getting all the attention, the older one was to my liking, over stimulated, and was being triggered by the noise, lights, and all the unrest going on. Ive learned children have good recoil, but they are children, and feel, and have certain needs; and being limited in vocabulary, they have to find a way to communicate, and they do. I tried to eliminate all the basics before I get into the psychological area, and dont care to recommend anything other than natural forms to settle such colic situations, if indeed it is that alone. I would at times at the hospital, cut the sugar content of the food the kids took at each meal; take them down to the river the water calms them. Take them on long rides in the car, and the vibration would calm them; or have them take long warm showers or baths. In Peru most of these items Ive mentioned is not possible, but some are, such as a long rhythmic walk in the park, that may calm a child, or baby down. All in all, the situation seems to have subsided some, so my analysis has been somewhat correct, I shall in the days coming, seeif indeed I was correct. But I am retired, and do not work anymore in that area, as I told her, and would not take money, I am not licensed anymore. But like I told her also, advise is cheap, even mine, and if it continues, see a doctor, I maybe wrong, and I can be, perhaps I am half right, and there is something else wrong; you can only eliminate thinks to build a better plan. I think we should remember, Colic is not a disease, just a situaion for the most part, and can be reduced if measures are done right; and if it is coupled with something else, that also can be reduced by taking the first step in eliminating.... |
