The digestive system plays an important role in the life of the body. This statement applies especially to infants, whose internal organs are in the stage of active growth. When a child develops constipation or treatment of diseases, enemas are sometimes administered – an effective and effective means of emptying the intestines.
Distinguish between medicinal and cleansing enemas. They all have their own performance characteristics and indications. So, medicinal enemas are used for inflammatory processes in the colon, as well as in cases where it is not possible to give the child the medicine through the mouth. Cleansing enemas are relevant for constipation or fecal retention, in preparation for abdominal examinations, and also 40 minutes before the drug enema.
Enema can be given to infants and newborns. Most often, cleansing enemas are carried out for newborns who are bottle-fed, since it is the artificial people who usually suffer from constipation. Medicinal enemas are indicated for infants and newborns when prescribing bacteriophages, they are also effective for persistent regurgitation.
To set an enema, a newborn will need:
- enema solution
- pear-shaped balloon with tip
- diaper
- thermometer
- Vaseline oil
- measuring capacity
- diaper
For enema formulation, balloons (syringes) of various capacities are used. The volume of a cleansing enema for a child under the age of three months is 30 ml. From the age of four months and until the age of two years, 10 ml is added for each month of the child’s life. If we are talking about a medicinal enema, its volume for a child under one year old is 15-30 ml.
For a cleansing enema, a sodium chloride solution is prepared for the baby or boiled water is used. The temperature of the liquid is 26-30 degrees. To gently relieve constipation, you can add glycerin to the water. Sometimes, instead of water, vaseline, olive or sunflower oil with a temperature of 37-38 degrees is used. The effect of the oil enema comes after 8-10 hours, when using water – after a few minutes.
Before giving your child an enema, consult your doctor.
Measure out the required amount of liquid using a measuring container, heat to the desired temperature. Fill the syringe with the solution and lubricate the tip with Vaseline oil.
Lay a child under the age of six months on his back and lift his legs up. If your baby is over six months old, turn him to his left side and bring his legs up to his stomach.
Take a can of liquid and push it down to eliminate air. With your free hand, spread the buttocks and effortlessly insert the tip into the rectum 3 cm (for a cleansing enema). First insert the tip towards the navel, and after overcoming the resistance of the anus, insert it parallel to the coccyx.
Drain the liquid and remove the syringe without opening it. Bring the baby’s buttocks together for a few minutes. After having a bowel movement, wash your baby.
Do not prescribe the procedure yourself or do it often
After giving the child a medicinal enema, make sure that he is in a horizontal position for at least 30 minutes.
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