In the first months of life, 70% of babies have digestive problems, namely flatulence. This is due to the immaturity of the digestive system, in particular, the intestines. It is not yet fully populated with beneficial intestinal microflora, the enzymatic system is weak, and so colic, constipation, and stomach swelling from gases occur in a newborn baby. It exhausts the child and parents thoroughly. But it is worth noting that flatulence in infants under 3 months is a physiological process.
Signs of colic in the abdomen of a newborn
Child wiggles its legs, screams piercingly, cries for several hours in a row, refuses to breastfeed, or, conversely, eats a lot, restless. The complexion becomes burgundy, the baby presses the legs to the stomach, the stomach becomes like a drum, there is no stool for several days or its volume is small, many mothers notice such symptoms.
Should I immediately resort to the pipe?
The pipe is a last resort. First you need to try to calm the baby and tryother ways:
- massage the tummy with strokes clockwise;
- apply a warm diaper to the stomach;
- put the baby on the stomach;
- give dill water;
- make a "bike" with the baby's legs;
- give medicines like Espumizan, Baby Calm.
Only if all this does not help, you can resort to a gas outlet. The catheter does not cure the problem, but only removes gases, making the child's condition easier.
What are they like?
The gas outlet tube is called by physicians a probe, a catheter, a rectal tube. In pharmacies, there is a fairly large selection of them from different manufacturers. You need to choose the correct size. This, of course, is not the length, but the diameter. In addition, they are single-use and reusable.
When properly used, the snorkel is a completely safe device that works almost instantly. For newborns, the tube size should be 15-16. From six months you can use 17-18.
The most primitive tubes are rubber, without a limiter, so it is quite difficult to determine the depth of their insertion into the rectum. You have to measure it with a ruler. More modern generation of catheters have a restrictor ring, which is much more convenient.
Today, pharmacies most often sell domestic and Swedish rectal catheters, less often from the Netherlands.
Apexmed rectal probe
Manufacturers - the Netherlands or China. The tube is disposable, sterile, transparent,20 cm long, made of thermoplastic PVC that further softens at body temperature.
The end of the insertion tube is rounded for insertion safety, 2 side openings are for the exit of gases. In addition, divisions up to a maximum of 5 cm are applied every 10 mm to control the insertion depth.
The tube is sterile and does not require pre-boiling. For newborns, sizes 06, 08, 10 are suitable (diameter from 2 to 3.3 mm). Benefits:
- minimum outer size;
- sterile, eliminating boiling;
- closed end for added security;
- size determined by color;
- the tube has marks on which you can control the depth of insertion.
Cons: higher price, control over the depth of injection.
Degassing rectal tube from the Russian manufacturer Alfaplastic
It is reusable, rubber, orange. Length 35 cm, for a child under 3 months, size 15 and 16 are required. Up to a year - 17 and 18.
The wide edge is the outlet for gases, the narrow part is inserted into the ass. When using it for the first time, you need to boil the product for 20 minutes. Re-wash only with soap or peroxide if used at home for one baby only.
In hospitals, straws are constantly boiled. The straw should not lie in the sun, next to materials that destroy rubber: lubricants, alkalis, gasoline, etc.
Pros:
- cheap;
- you can choose the minimumsize.
Cons:
- requires boiling for sterility;
- no depth marks;
- even the smallest tubes are wide enough for a baby's bottom.
WINDI catheters
These catheters are manufactured by Astra Tech from Sweden. The WINDI Neonatal Rectal Catheter is a breakthrough in pediatric medical devices.
The advantage of their patented products is that they take into account the anatomical features of the intestines of babies, and the product is absolutely safe. This neonatal rectal catheter belongs to the first class of products.
WINDI tube made of thermoplastic elastomer. This means the strength of the plastic and the elasticity of the rubber. In addition, the material is hypoallergenic, it does not contain latex. In addition, the material softens even more when in contact with the body.
The length of the catheter is only 9 cm, the inserted part is 2.5 cm, which allows you to reach the muscle, the tension of which prevents the gases from escaping freely.
WINDI rectal catheter for newborns disposable. It allows the use of one tube per procedure. Then it needs to be changed. The device of the catheter is such that the sound of outgoing gases is determined by ear. But its biggest advantage is that it has an insertion limiter, which is very convenient for parents. The rounded tip of the tube does not damage the mucosa.
The surface of the catheter is embossed, does not slip in the hand. Swedish rectal catheters for newborns are sterile, disposable and do not need to be boiled. The only downside is the price.
General precautions for all catheters
Special care is required in application because there is a risk of damage to the intestinal wall with subsequent peritonitis, bleeding and infection. This is especially true for Russian products. Never leave a tube in a child's bottom at night to ensure a restful sleep.
How to use?
It is a good idea to have a nurse or doctor show you how to use the neonatal rectal catheter correctly the first time you use it. In any case, the reusable catheter should be boiled for 10 minutes.
There should be no other amateur performance in the form of additional cuts and extensions: it must be put in the form in which it is sold.
Before introducing, prepare:
- water tank to control the release of gases;
- bottle with sterile vegetable oil or Vaseline for lubrication;
- wet wipes and cotton balls.
Disposable tubes should be used immediately after opening the package. Everything must be done with clean hands. Cover the table with a diaper, on top of which put an oilcloth. Before inserting the tube, you need to massage the baby's tummy three times on the right and left. Movements are directed from the side to the center, then from the center down. This will help the gases descend closer to the exit from the intestines.
Lubricate the narrow end of the tube and the baby's anus with oil, the baby should lie on the left side. The legs are bent at the knees, raised. With the fingers of the left hand, lightlyspread the baby's buttocks, and with your right hand, without physical effort, carefully insert the tip of the tube first to a depth of 1-2 cm, the second end should be lowered into the water.
With the insertion of the tube, continue stroking the belly in a clockwise direction or making a "bike" with the baby's legs. This is necessary to stimulate the bowels. Exhaust gases will gurgle in a glass of water.
At the same time, the baby's stomach flattens, softens. If gases do not come out, carefully advance the tip a couple more centimeters, but no more than 4 cm. If you feel an obstacle, you must not advance the tube! If the baby cries and does not calm down, do not insert any tube.
Gazki come out for 2-5 minutes, then carefully remove the tube. Press the legs at this time to the tummy so that the gases come out by themselves and to the end. Wash the baby and pat dry.
Even if the goal of the procedure was only gas, there is often a stool after the catheter for 15-20 minutes. Therefore, it is better to continue the procedure for 10 minutes until defecation begins. Then take out the probe on a napkin. The used rectal catheter must be washed with soap (household) and put in a clean bag.
When reusing the tube for your baby, it is no longer necessary to boil it. Dr. Komarovsky, for example, believes that if the instrument is used exclusively for one child, there is no point in constantly boiling it.
When handset is not shown
The handset must not be hung up in the following cases:
- anal fissures;
- infectious diseasecharacter;
- anus inflammation;
- bleeding in the intestines.
How often to use
This question often worries parents. Dr. Komarovsky states that often.
Parents are worried about whether after this they will get used to the tube, and whether the intestines will stop working on their own? It's out of the question.
Numerous reviews of mothers indicate that there is no addiction, and the baby's condition is relieved. The tube can be used, if necessary, 3-4 times a day, they talk about the rapid relief of the baby's condition.
The probe does not interfere, it only helps. But this does not mean that the tube can be inserted every 15 minutes, the break must be at least 4 hours.
After reaching the age of 4 months, especially after the introduction of complementary foods, the need for a catheter disappears by itself.
A little about the instructions for the WINDI rectal catheter
There are detailed instructions on the packaging. Before use, disinfect the straw with alcohol or boil for 15-20 seconds, then cool to room temperature.
Cold sterilization is acceptable and convenient using special Milton or BebeConfort tablets. You just need to dissolve them in water and lower the catheter there for 15 minutes. Most parents tend to reuse the catheter by boiling it. They believe that this is a marketing ploy, and they want to make money on them.
But the manufacturer does not guarantee the safety of the elastic material after heat treatment. It is necessary to strictly follow the attached instructions for the rectal catheter for newborns, you should not ignore it.
Pros
Pros include the following:
- sterility;
- presence of limiter;
- the length and shape of the tip is specially designed to stimulate the muscle that prevents gas from escaping;
- thermoplastic material;
- non-damaging round tip;
- outgassing is audible and no need to control the water can.
Flaws
WINDI has only 2 disadvantages: no possibility of reuse, relatively high cost. But it fully justifies this price.
Reviews of the WINDI rectal catheter say that it is just perfect, the baby's condition is relieved quickly. The device is very convenient to use.
WINDI rectal catheter has an optimal length, its insertion is 2.5 cm. The tube is so thin, it does not cause any inconvenience to the baby.
He himself is very soft, pliable, special protrusions are made on the tube, which prevent fingers from slipping during insertion.
What to replace in an emergency?
Sometimes it happens that there is no rectal catheter at home, but the baby needs it now. Then, at a small children's enema, you can cut off the bottom - to release gases. And the lubricated tip, as usual, insert into the baby's ass. Pre-boiling is mandatory.
Catheters for adults
Rectal catheters are sometimes needed not only for children, but also for adults. They are often necessary, for example, for patients with prolonged bed rest, debilitated, who cannot move independently, etc.
In such cases, a rectal catheter Diaflex, set Primed, is used to remove feces. It is indicated for bedridden patients, people in a coma, the elderly paralyzed after strokes, etc. A rectal catheter (probe) facilitates the care of such patients, it is more hygienic than diapers. Comfortable, prevents bad stool odors.
Rectal catheter "Assomedica" is designed for the same purposes. The same company also produces children's catheter No. 8 (Children's gas tube).
A catheter is often the only way to alleviate the patient's condition. Some mistakenly believe that its use will adversely affect the he alth of the child. This is not true. It has been proven that the adaptation does not affect the functioning of the body in the future.
