Image source: Scientific Family Parenting Original
Why do I, as a small child, have to go through so much?
Colic, intussusception, pharyngitis, etc...
Oh, and there's another kind of pain that almost every child has to suffer, and that's:
Grow pain!
When it hurts, it is really very difficult, parents are not clear, and babies are more likely to suffer major sins!
So next turn the lens to The University of Science and Technology, and start today's science popularization of "growth pain"!
What is so special about growing pain that parents can discern at a glance?
There really is! Let me summarize the following 4 points:
01
Pain time
It usually occurs at night, and increased exercise during the day will exacerbate the pain;
02
The site of pain
Generally concentrated in the thighs, calves, knees at the muscle pain, the joint part is normal, not red or swollen;
03
Number of pains
At least once a month for at least 3 months. Presents intermittent pain;
04
Other characteristics
Everything is normal for a physical examination etc.
In addition, there are two kinds of pain that are easily confused with growth pain, and if you don't pay attention, the consequences are very serious!
Therefore, Keda summarized the characteristics of "osteosarcoma" and "arthritis" respectively, which is convenient for everyone to distinguish:
This time I know how to distinguish it!
Although the growing pain can heal itself, but watching the child so painful, which parent can stand by and watch? Let it hurt?
If you want to survive the "growth pain phase", what should you pay attention to in terms of diet? How can parents help their babies relieve their pain?
1. The child is in growing pain, what should I pay attention to in terms of diet?
Eat foods that are rich in vitamin C, high in protein, and promote cartilage development, such as:
2, at night the child is too guilty, how to relieve the growth pain?
Take a warm bath before bedtime
The temperature does not exceed 38 ~ 40 ° C, which helps to soothe the muscles and reduce the pain of the baby.
Towel warm compresses
You can use a warm towel to apply a warm compress to the sore place, and change the towel if it is slightly cooler.
Note: It is best not to apply hot compresses after the baby is asleep.
Pay attention to stretching and resting after exercise
After the baby exercise, the muscles are easy to overwork, parents are best to help stretch after exercise, and go to bed early to rest.
Divert attention
Growing pains are loved at night!
Before going to bed, you can listen to soothing music for the baby, accompany the baby to make games, read picture books... Divert your attention, maybe it doesn't hurt so much.
Take analgesics
Over-the-counter analgesics (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and different forms of hyperthermia may be able to achieve urgent pain relief.
Giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen at bedtime may prevent your child from waking up at night after increasing daytime activity.
But! It is not recommended that parents give their children medication without authorization! If growth pain seriously affects normal activity, rest and study, it is recommended to go to the hospital pediatric department and use analgesic drugs rationally under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
Verbal reassurance
This is very, very important: give your baby enough love and care! At any time, your love can overcome everything!
3. Does growing pain mean that there is a problem with the foot?
No, no, no, growth pain does not affect the foot, but if there is a problem with the foot itself (flat foot, knee valgus, etc.) it may aggravate the pain, then the help of an orthosis is needed.
4. Is growth pain a calcium deficiency? Do you want to supplement calcium on purpose?
Miss by a mile! Growth pain has nothing to do with calcium deficiency!
Blind calcium supplementation not only does not relieve pain, but also is not conducive to bone growth. It can even cause other side effects, such as: affecting the absorption of iron and zinc, dry stool, increasing the risk of kidney stones and so on.
If your child is not a serious picky eater or is deficient in calcium, there is no need for additional calcium supplementation!
5. Is the growth pain growing? How fast does it hurt?
The growth pain is caused by the uneven growth rate of the baby's bones and muscles, which is what it is:
The statement how long the pain is fast is a complete fallacy! Don't believe it!
Whether the baby can grow taller has nothing to do with growing pain.
After all, some babies have never grown pain, and they are quite tall; some of them grow sore at every turn, but they are still the shortest in the class!