Colic and gas give the newborn great discomfort, disrupting his sleep and the peace of his parents. When a child is tormented and screams from stomach pain, mom is ready for anything to help him. Specially developed medications that eliminate colic, massage, and a vent tube for newborns are also used. How to use this device, we will tell in our article.
Gases in newborns
Immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract is one of the causes of bloating in infants. Most often, flatulence is diagnosed in children who are breast-fed, because even adapted infant formula is foreign to the newborn. In addition, increased gas formation in infants can be triggered by other factors:
- Wrong technique of applying the baby to the chest, in which he does not capture the entire nipple with his lips. As a result, together with breast milk, air causes colic in the baby’s digestive tract.
- Non-observance of the angle of inclination between the baby’s mouth and the nipple, as a result of which air enters the hole formed, similar to the situation with natural feeding.
- Overfeeding the baby, as a result of which he eats more than the prescribed volume of the milk mixture.
- Violation of lactating mom's diet.
Increased gas formation gives the newborn baby pain and discomfort. To help the baby, parents use a whole arsenal of tools, including taking medications, massage, gymnastics. One of the effective ways to get rid of gases in the intestines is the use of a vent tube.
Device Description
To eliminate bloating, tubes have been used successfully since the 20th century. They appeared at about the same time as other medical devices made of rubber: syringes, enemas, pipettes, etc.
A vent tube for newborns is a device that is used to release gas that has accumulated in the intestines. Such a device is made of non-toxic rubber (some models are made of plastic). Outwardly, it looks like a regular tube about 20 cm long with open and rounded ends. On one of them, a limiter may be provided that ensures the safe conduct of the procedure.
The principle of the vent tube is that when introduced into the anus, the product provokes intestinal contractions, thereby moving the gases to the exit. The open ends of the fixture facilitate this process.
Why do I need a vent pipe?
By the age of two weeks, the baby's intestines are colonized with useful and harmful bacteria, their own microflora are formed, which often leads to increased gas formation. If the newborn cannot get rid of them on their own, in a natural way, then to help him cope with this problem, just use a gas vent. When introduced into the anus, it stimulates the intestinal wall, causing its emptying. Moreover, if you know how to properly insert a vent tube to a newborn, then mucosal irritation does not occur and the level of intestinal microflora does not decrease.
The device is inserted into the anus with constipation, when the stool is absent for 2-3 days, and with the following signs of bloating:
- the baby refuses food or, conversely, eats too much, if he is naturally fed;
- the baby cries for no apparent reason;
- the newborn's face turns red when he tries to push the gases out on his own, but he does not succeed;
- the baby is squeezing his legs, his tummy is firm, you can notice the bloating with the naked eye.
How to choose a vent pipe?
When buying a device that can ease the condition of the baby during the formation of its microflora, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters:
- Diameter. For newborns under the age of 1 month, tubules with a minimum opening size should be purchased. For older children, products with a large diameter are provided. On the side, such a tube is equipped with an additional hole for more convenient removal of gases.
- Term of use. On sale are disposable and reusable products. Devices of the first type are considered hygienically safe, and the second can be used repeatedly, without forgetting to boil the devices before each use.
- Material. The second thing you need to pay attention to when buying a tube is the material. For the youngest children, only soft and non-toxic rubber products are used. Plastic devices are suitable for older children.
After 6 months from the start of use of the product, it is no longer possible to put a gas outlet to the newborn. Like many other materials, rubber is subject to destruction. Over time, it begins to crumble, as a result of which particles can enter the rectum when introduced.
Species and popular manufacturers
In appearance, the following types of products are produced:
- A rectal probe is an ordinary tube, the length of which is about 20 cm. Such devices differ in the diameter of the hole. They are produced by most manufacturers of medical equipment (for example, Alfaplastik OJSC).
- Rectal probe with stopper - a special nozzle is provided at one end of the tube to limit deep penetration. Manufacturers: Apexmed, ROXY.
- A rectal catheter is a device made taking into account the anatomical structure of the intestine, having a limiter. The Windi Baby Disposable Vent Tube is sold in packs of 10 each. Not intended for reuse.
Terms of use
How to use a gas vent for babies? Improper use of this device can harm the newborn, damage the mucous membrane. That is why it is necessary to act with extreme caution and strictly follow the instructions on how to put a gas outlet to a newborn:
- Boil the product for 5 minutes, wait for cooling. Remove the disposable tube from the packaging.
- Prepare a horizontal surface: lay an oilcloth and a diaper, put a bowl of warm water, put napkins.
- Wash hands with soap.
- Put the baby on her back.
- Grease the rounded end of the tube with oily baby cream or petroleum jelly.
- Bend the child’s legs in the knees, pull them to the tummy, fix for the duration of the procedure in this position.
- In a circular motion, insert the tube into the anus 3 cm. After that, carefully twist the product.
- To make sure that the gaziks are moving away, it is recommended that the other end of the tube be placed in a bowl of water.
- After 10 minutes, the product should be removed from the anus. This time should be enough to get rid of bloating and cause bowel movements. If the feces did not discharge, the skin near the hole should be lubricated with cream before removing the tube.
How often can I put a gas outlet to a newborn?
Bowel emptying during the procedure does not always happen. But gaziks leave necessarily, moreover, the baby calms down and falls asleep. If bloating is repeated, then the next time you can put the tube no earlier than after 4 hours and no more than twice a day.
Pediatricians warn that using the product is a last resort. Even if you know exactly how to insert a vent tube to a newborn, mechanical irritation of the intestinal wall makes him lazy. Next time, he will not want to work himself until he receives this kind of stimulation. In turn, this can be addictive and lead to even bigger problems.
Vent pipe efficiency assessment
According to many pediatricians, the vent pipe is not as good as it might seem at first glance. Firstly, the formation of gases in the intestine during the formation of microflora is a normal physiological process. Constant intervention in it harms the development of the baby. Instead of learning how to get rid of gases, the baby does not always receive justified help from loving parents. Next time, with bloating, the baby will no longer try to get rid of the problem on his own. He would rather wait for help from parents who have long known how to insert a vent tube to a newborn.
That is why this product can not be called effective. On the one hand, the tube is able to relieve increased gas formation in the intestines, and on the other hand, the baby turns up constipation, which will not be easy to cure.
Contraindications
When using a vent tube for newborns, a number of complications may occur:
- damage to the rectal mucosa;
- bleeding;
- peritonitis;
- intestinal perforation.
It is strictly forbidden to use the device in the following cases:
- violation of the integrity of the intestinal mucosa;
- inflammatory processes in the rectum;
- with intestinal infection;
- with congenital pathologies and abnormalities.
When diagnosing any of these conditions, appropriate treatment is prescribed, and a more suitable option is selected to eliminate flatulence.
Other ways to get rid of gases in a newborn
A vent tube for newborns is an extreme measure in the fight against bloating and colic. Before this, the use of alternative methods of getting rid of gases is recommended. These include:
- Massage the abdomen. Stroking circular movements are performed clockwise.
- Gymnastics. When performing exercises, the legs are bent at the knees and pulled to the tummy. Such gymnastics triggers intestinal motility.
- Laying on the tummy. It is recommended to do this before each feeding in order to free the intestines from the accumulated gases, but only after the healing of the umbilical wound.
- Warm diaper. The tissue section is folded several times, ironed with a hot iron and applied to the stomach. Heat relaxes the abdominal muscles and promotes gas removal.
Opinion of Dr. Komarovsky
A well-known pediatrician recommends using a gas outlet tube for newborns in emergency cases and only after a tummy massage is performed, which will once again make sure that it is swollen from accumulated gases.
On the advice of Dr. Komarovsky, inserting the device into the anus should be no more than 10 minutes. If during this time the child does not calm down, then continuing the procedure does not make sense. The pediatrician believes that a vent tube is far from always effective. In his opinion, it is better to use alternative methods of getting rid of gases.
Parent reviews about using a vent pipe
Moms and dads, who gained some experience from the use of the device, formed their own opinion on this matter. In their reviews, they note that:
- When using the device, gases do not always go well. In addition, most children do not tolerate this procedure. As a result, they scream, and mom is nervous. According to parents, there are more humane ways to rid a child of gases accumulated in the intestines.
- Not all packages contain instructions for venting tubes for infants.
- Many babies after constant use of the device may have problems with natural bowel movement. It is difficult for a child to get rid of gases and feces without the help of a tube, as a result of which he develops constipation.