A heating pad for a newborn against colic: what should it be?

What is colic, what are its symptoms?

Colic is increased gas formation in the intestines that bothers infants during the first 3 months of life. This is a common phenomenon associated with the adaptation of the child’s gastrointestinal tract to new operating conditions.

In an adult, food digestion is facilitated by bacteria and enzymes. In the first minutes of birth, the newborn’s gastrointestinal tract is sterile: the colonization of the intestines with microflora occurs with mother’s milk. However, this process is lengthy and takes at least 3 months. Until the microflora and enzyme production are stabilized, the baby suffers from increased gas formation.

There are other causes of colic:

Illiterate feeding. The baby does not latch onto the breast or nipple correctly, resulting in air entering the gastrointestinal tract along with milk or formula. To prevent this, make sure that the breast or nipple is at a 45-degree angle.
Overfeeding. If a child eats more than normal at one time, the food does not have time to be digested: gases are formed, and the newborn regurgitates the leftover food. To prevent this from happening, feed your baby small portions.
Incorrect mixture. Sometimes mothers have to try several products before finding the right baby food for their baby.
Mother's smoking. Bad habits during breastfeeding harm the health of the newborn.

Gas formation is accompanied by pain, so mommy can easily recognize the symptoms of colic by the baby’s behavior:

the baby knocks his legs, presses them to his stomach;
the baby cries, especially after eating;
the newborn refuses food;
constipation or diarrhea appears;
Sleep is disturbed due to pain.

There are many ways to eliminate gas: dill water, medications, massage the tummy clockwise. But the easiest and safest method remains a heating pad specifically for newborns against colic.

Anti-colic heating pad: what is it?

An anti-colic heating pad is a temporary source of dry heat. The device is used to treat colds and warm up individual organs. However, to eliminate excess gases in the intestines in children, a heating pad is needed, which is used for colic in newborns.

This is a small vessel that is filled with contents, heated to the desired temperature and applied to the baby’s tummy. Under the influence of heat, blood circulation accelerates, blood vessels dilate, and pain decreases. The device can be placed in a playpen or cradle, or used in a stroller for a walk.

However, the effectiveness of the heating pad has not yet been fully proven. Doctors doubt its effectiveness. Some doctors even consider it harmful to the abdominal organs.

Attention! Apply the device to the baby's tummy carefully, carefully monitoring the condition of the newborn. You cannot use a heating pad if your baby is sick with ARVI, coughs or sneezes.

Operating principle

This device works quite simply - when the body heats up, the vessels in the area of influence expand, blood flow occurs, and then the painful sensations are weakened. Also, exposure to dry heat enhances the effect of some medications.

Many inexperienced mothers doubt the advisability of using a heating pad during an attack of colic. However, this device helps relieve intestinal spasms, relaxes the abdominal muscles, reduces the intensity of pain, and then the baby feels relief. But you shouldn’t place high hopes on a heating pad; it will only be effective with an integrated approach: massage, medications, dill water, etc.

In addition, a heating pad will help keep your baby warm and ready for sleep. And in slushy and rainy weather, you can take the device with you in the stroller and walk to your heart's content.

However, before using a compact heater, you should make sure that the baby’s crying is caused by colic. Inexperienced mothers should know the symptoms that require urgent medical consultation:

• The attack lasts more than 4 hours. • Temperature has increased. • There is diarrhea and vomiting. • There are blood clots in the stool or it is greenish in color.

If you have such symptoms, you should urgently call a doctor. Until the problem is clarified, the heating pad should not be used.

How to choose a heating pad for a baby?

Purchase goods in children's stores or pharmacies. Give preference to devices made from quality materials. Make sure that the device is not damaged, does not emit an unpleasant odor, and has a quality certificate.

The choice of the type of baby heating pad depends on preferences, material and principle of operation. Today, many types of devices are produced. Let's consider their features.

Types and principle of operation

There are many types of heating pads in stores, each differing in material, filler and operating principle:

Salt heating pad used for newborns from clicks. The device is a sealed PVC vessel with a concentrated solution of sodium acetate. In 10 seconds the device heats up to 55 degrees. The vessel takes the desired shape and retains heat for 4 hours. For convenience, wrap the vessel with film and tie it to the baby’s body. To start the device, press the button. To make it more interesting for your baby, purchase a device in the form of a toy.
Rubber or silicone. A traditional heating pad made of thick rubber, filled with warm water. This is the cheapest option. However, the vessel causes discomfort when it comes into contact with the baby’s delicate skin, so wrap it in cloth. The device is not popular and keeps heat until the water cools down.
Gel. The principle of action is similar to saline, but instead of a saline solution, a safe gel is used. The vessel heats up to 60 degrees and retains heat for 1 hour.
A heating pad used for newborns against colic, with cherry pits. The container is made of fabric (linen or cotton). Kids like the devices because they are made in the form of toys. Cherry pits or other natural fillers are placed inside: rice, peas, salt. The vessel is heated by a microwave, oven or radiator and releases heat for a long time.
Electric. The device operates from the network. It is made from fabric into which electrical conductors are sewn. The device heats up to any temperature, but it is dangerous because the baby can get an electric shock.
Warming belt. Made of cotton, heats up to 50 degrees. He slightly squeezes the stomach, and the gases pass faster.

Each type of heating pad has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Salt heating pad

It is often called a salt warmer. It features uniform heating and gradual heat release. The supersaturated sodium acetate solution is contained in a sealed PVC package. When you press a button or stick inside the solution, a crystallization center is formed and heat begins to be released. Heating stops when crystallization is complete. By this time the heating pad will heat up to approximately 54 degrees. In the absence of contraindications, children can use a salt heating pad from birth.

Advantages:
the design is sealed. The saline solution is non-toxic. This heating pad is completely safe for babies;
the product does not cause allergies;
acquires the desired shape for the area of the body;
can be used instead of paraffin physiotherapy for dysplasia;
This type of heating pad heats up quickly and stays warm for about three to four hours.

Flaws:
If the packaging is damaged, the contents of the heating pad may leak.

Video of how a salt heating pad works

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Which heating pad should you choose?

To determine which device is right for your baby, evaluate the pros and cons of the models. They will allow you to choose the best device that will not harm the baby’s health.

Rubber

This is a budget option. The heating pad is inexpensive and easy to use. But that's where its advantages end. Users highlight more disadvantages than advantages:

constant temperature control;
the possibility of burning the baby’s skin if the water inside is too hot;
regular water change;
rubber cracks and deteriorates with frequent use;
Strong smell;
high allergenicity.

Mothers and pediatricians do not recommend using this type of device.

Saline

A more popular type of heating pad. Users note many of its advantages:

the tightness of the vessel;
lack of filler toxicity;
safety;
hypoallergenic;
easily takes the shape of the body;
can be used to treat dysplasia;
holds heat well;
heats up quickly.

There are some disadvantages, but they are few. Basically, mothers refer to the possibility of solution leakage if the body of the vessel is damaged by the baby.

Electric

This type of device is rarely used. Moms highlight a number of disadvantages in it:

heating takes 7-8 minutes;
lack of mobility of the device;
high price;
there is a risk of burns if the device does not have a thermostat.

But an electric heating pad has many advantages:

heat is maintained for the required period of time;
the body is made of hypoallergenic materials;
easy to use;
If you have a thermostat, you can set the temperature.

Remember! If you are afraid that the baby will get an electric shock, heat the diaper from an electric device and apply it to the baby’s tummy.

With fillers

Hypoallergenic gel or natural ingredients can be used as a filler. The first option has the only drawback: it does not hold heat well. But such a device has many advantages:

safely;
non-toxic;
easy to use;
heats up quickly.

Warmers with bones, grains or legumes inside do not last long and cannot be washed or washed. The filler may emit an odor that the baby will not like. But, along with the disadvantages, this model has a number of advantages:

you can choose the design you like;
there is no risk of burns;
natural ingredients;
the vessel easily takes on the contours of the body;
You can make a heating pad for your baby yourself;
the device is used as a toy.

Many mothers choose this model because of its hypoallergenicity and cost-effectiveness.

Warming belt

An infrequently used model, but one cannot fail to note its advantages:

easy to use;
comfortable;
hypoallergenic;
heat is distributed evenly.

The belt should not be heated above 50 degrees and should not be used for longer than 30 minutes. The model is expensive, but its effect is short-lived.

Which heating pad is better?

The question of which heating pad is best for colic remains relevant among parents. According to customer reviews, a heating pad with cherry pits is considered the best. Infants from 5 to 6 months are given it as a toy. A child can play with it, develop fine motor skills, it helps reduce pain during an attack of colic, and makes it easier to fall asleep. In addition, it can be used to warm the crib before bed. This is a reliable, safe and effective heating pad for colic.

In second place is the salt heating pad. It is also made from safe materials, is easy to use and lasts a long time.

Also very popular are gel heating belts, which also demonstrate an excellent effect. Their only drawback is their high cost.

How and when to use a heating pad for a baby?

Before use, be sure to make sure that the baby is crying due to colic, and abdominal pain is not a sign of an infectious disease. Use a heating pad only in extreme cases: applying heat often harms the internal organs of the newborn.

After purchasing the device, carefully examine it and check for external damage. It is advisable to make a layer of fabric with a layer of about 5 cm between the device and the baby’s skin.

Attention! Keep the heating pad near the baby's tummy for no more than 5 minutes per procedure.

However, there are situations when the use of a heating pad is contraindicated:

inflammation of the abdominal cavity;
skin rash in the abdominal area;
wounds and injuries;
gastrointestinal diseases;
elevated temperature;
ARVI, influenza and other infectious diseases.

Ignoring contraindications causes deterioration in the baby’s health.

Application depending on type

The use of the device depends on its type:

Saline. Wrap the heating pad in 5mm thick cotton fabric. Press the button on the device to turn it on. When the salt hardens, tie the device to the baby’s body: during this period, the filler will begin to give off heat. After use, boil the device to return the solution to a liquid state.
Heating pad. The device is not suitable for application to the body. Use it to warm up diapers and bedding in a bassinet or playpen before placing your baby there. Just plug the heating pad into the outlet and set the desired temperature on the thermostat.
Belt. Place the battery with gel in a container to heat. Place it in the microwave for 0.5-1.5 minutes so that the device warms up to 50 degrees. Another heating method is to dip it in boiling water. When the temperature on the thermostat reaches the desired level, remove the device from the water.
Dry heating pad with filling. Place the device in the microwave at 600 W for 1 minute. If you set the heating temperature to 80 degrees, it will take 10-15 minutes. Insert the bag with the filling into the toy and apply it to the baby’s tummy.
Rubber. Heat the water to 60 degrees. Fill the device body with liquid to 2/3 of the volume. Squeeze out the remaining air. Close the lid and check that no water leaks out. Wrap the heating pad in a towel or cloth and apply it to the newborn's body.
Gel. To heat the body of the device, place it in hot water.

All devices are quite easy to use. But each of them requires compliance with safety rules.

Dry heating pad (toy heating pad, cherry pit heating pad)

The toy heating pad and the cherry pit heating pad are dry types of heating pads, as they use dry filling and the top is made of fabric (linen or cotton). This heating pad is activated from any heat source: microwave, oven, battery. Cherry pits emit a pleasant smell when heated, making them perfect for aromatherapy. Instead of cherry pits, it can be any suitable material that heats up quickly but releases heat for a long time: rice, peas, table salt, etc.

Important! When choosing a dry heating pad, make sure that the filler is placed in a separate bag. This design is very convenient when washing - you can remove the inner bag and wash the upper one.

Most often it comes in the form of a soft toy, and it can be either a fairly small heating pad or a large one. Using a heating pad with natural filling is safe for the baby’s health. Hot-water bottle toys with cherry pits ZerO-99 and thermo-toys “Doctor Myakish” are popular among young parents.

Advantages:
ease of use and time saving;
the ability to choose any size and design;
the heating pad takes on the shape of the body;
100% natural;
there is no possibility of getting burned, even if the fabric is torn;
you can make a toy heating pad yourself;
a cooled device can be used as a toy. With its help, a six-month-old baby develops fine motor skills.

Flaws:
when heated, the natural filler releases an odor that may not always be to your liking;
The service life of a soft heating pad with filling is short;
If the device does not have a removable top, only dry cleaning is recommended.

Instructions for using a heating pad filled with cherry pits.

Place a heating pad in the microwave for 1 minute. In this case, a power of 600 W is selected. You can put it in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes, setting the temperature to 80 degrees.
The heated bag is inserted into a soft toy and applied to the baby’s tummy for five minutes.

Simple heating bags

These warmers are made of plain cotton and filled with rice. Cut out an even number of rectangles measuring 8x9 cm. Fold two at a time, face inward, and sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening. Turn out, fill with rice and sew the holes closed with a blind stitch.

Felt heating pad, hand-sewn and decorated with cross stitch

This heating pad is sewn from a single piece. In this case, felt was used. The size of the part is 10x15 cm. First, embroider in the middle of the part. Then hand stitch the middle seam. Then - one of the side ones. Fill a hot water bottle with rice or salt and sew the remaining side seam.

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Warmers using patchwork technique

An option for those who love patchwork or are just starting to learn patchwork, this is a simple project that allows beginners to practice. We cut out right triangles with a leg length of 8 cm + 1 cm seam allowances. For each heating pad you need 4 of these rectangles. We sew the triangles together 2 at a time to make a square, and press the seams. We fold two squares face inward, sew them around the perimeter, leaving a hole, cut off the corners, turn them inside out, iron them, and fill them with rice or salt. We sew the hole by machine.

Heart-shaped heating pads

Warmers can also be made in the shape of hearts. The procedure is essentially the same as in the first master class, only you need to cut out not rectangular parts, but, accordingly, heart-shaped parts.

The simplest heating pads made from fabric that does not fray

These warmers can be made from fabric that doesn't fray too much, such as flannel. You will also need zigzag scissors. Cut out two identical squares, pin them together and trim the edges with curly scissors. With the wrong sides facing in, sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening. Fill with rice and sew up the hole.

Warmers in the form of animals or birds

You can also make warmers in the shape of simple characters, for example, in the shape of owls. Draw the templates yourself or find patterns on the Internet for the simplest felt toys. Patterns of parts for these owl warmers can be downloaded here. The easiest way to sew such warmer toys is from felt or felt. First, complete the front side, sewing all the parts, then partially sew the toy around the perimeter, add rice or salt and sew up the hole.

How to make a heating pad with your own hands?

If you don’t have a special device at home, make it yourself:

Take a 0.5 liter plastic bottle and fill it with hot water. Close the lid and wrap it with cloth. Place the bottle on your stomach.
Sew a bag from thick fabric, folding it in several layers. Heat the salt in a frying pan to a temperature of 60 degrees. Place it in a bag and tie it tightly. Wrap the product in another layer of fabric and place it on the newborn’s tummy.
Sew a plush toy into a cover. Prepare cherry pits: wash them and dry them. Fill the toy with them and sew them up. Before use, heat the homemade device in the microwave or oven to 55 degrees and apply to the tummy.

Homemade heating pads “work” no worse than pharmacy ones. The main thing is to use them correctly.

Reviews from doctors

The attitude of doctors towards a heating pad as a way to get rid of gases in the intestines is contradictory. Most argue against this method:

overheating harms the child’s internal organs;
the devices are imperfect, and if safety precautions are violated, they can harm the newborn;
the heating pad should not be used regularly after each meal;
the use of the device requires combination with other methods of combating colic.

However, some pediatricians recommend using dry heat in moderation to expand gases in the intestines and facilitate their release. After warming up, they advise placing the baby on the tummy: this way the colic goes away faster.

Many mothers confirm the effectiveness of the heating pad. It is not always possible to give the baby medicine or place it on his stomach, for example, during sleep. Then warming up with dry heat comes to the rescue, which allows the newborn to sleep peacefully.

A heating pad is a safe and cheap way to relieve a newborn from colic. However, not all doctors recognize its effectiveness. However, if dry heat makes the baby feel better, use appliances. However, remember about safety precautions and strictly follow the instructions so as not to harm your baby.

Why does a newborn need a heating pad?

A heating pad for a newborn has several uses. The most famous and widespread of them is to help relieve pain due to colic.

In addition, it is used for: heating the baby’s sleeping place. Before an evening bath, you need to put a hot heating pad in your baby's crib and cover it with a blanket. While the baby is bathing, the heating pad will heat the bed. After bathing and changing clothes, the baby falls asleep faster in a warm heated place and sleeps more peacefully.

Many mothers use modern heating pads to improve the quality of their baby's sleep. Everyone knows that a baby sleeps more peacefully next to its mother. In order not to accustom the child to sleep with his parents, he is warmed up with a heating pad, wrapped in some of his mother’s things and placed next to the baby in the crib. The child feels the warmth of the heating pad, feels the mother’s scent and sleeps sweetly at night, feeling absolutely protected.