Journals / Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: 3

Traditional Approaches Used by Mothers for the Management of Infantile Colic: A Qualitative Study

Infantil Koliğe Yönelik Anneler Tarafından Uygulanan Geleneksel Yaklaşımlar: Nitel Çalışma

Meltem Aslan(İSTANBUL ESENYURT ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-3847-2233
Nuriye Değirmen(Kütahya Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi)0000-0002-7278-978X
Musab Alpaydin(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA)0009-0002-9645-4105
Pages
913–924
Publication Date
2026-09-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings emphasize culturally sensitive, family-centered, structured support programs in pediatric nursing.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers of infants with infantile colic and the traditional approaches used to manage colic, and to examine how these practices are shaped by mothers’ emotional responses, cultural interpretations, and interactions with health professionals.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 26 mothers of infants aged 0–6 months who had been diagnosed with infantile colic and lived in a large city in northern Türkiye.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings emphasize culturally sensitive, family-centered, structured support programs in pediatric nursing.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Infantil Kolik · Annelerin Deneyimleri · Geleneksel Yaklaşımlar

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers of infants with infantile colic and the traditional approaches used to manage colic, and to examine how these practices are shaped by mothers’ emotional responses, cultural interpretations, and interactions with health professionals. Materials and Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 26 mothers of infants aged 0–6 months who had been diagnosed with infantile colic and lived in a large city in northern Türkiye. Participants were selected using maximum variation sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The interviews lasted approximately 30–40 minutes, and data saturation was reached at the 26th interview. Two researchers independently analyzed the data using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis approach, supported by MAXQDA software. The study was reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines. Results: Six main themes were identified: motherhood in uncertainty and panic; experiencing colic episodes as “pain”; a spectrum of traditional approaches; evaluation of the effectiveness of practices; balancing modern and traditional approaches; and parental burden and the need for support. Mothers experienced colic with intense anxiety, guilt, and feelings of inadequacy and frequently used heat applications, herbal teas, massage, and spiritual practices. Most practices were reported to provide only temporary relief. Conclusion: Infantile colic is a multidimensional psychosocial experience for mothers rather than merely a physiological condition. Traditional practices support emotional regulation and help restore a sense of control. The findings emphasize culturally sensitive, family-centered, structured support programs in pediatric nursing.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, infantil kolik yaşayan bebeklerin annelerinin deneyimlerini ve koliğin yönetiminde başvurulan geleneksel yaklaşımları incelemek; bu uygulamaların annelerin duygusal tepkileri, kültürel anlamlandırmaları ve sağlık profesyonelleriyle etkileşimleri bağlamında nasıl şekillendiğini ortaya koymaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırma, betimleyici nitel tasarımda yürütülmüştür. Çalışma, Türkiye’nin kuzeyinde büyük bir kentte, 0–6 aylık bebeğinde infantil kolik tanısı bulunan 26 anne ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılar maksimum çeşitlilik örneklemesiyle seçilmiştir. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış derinlemesine görüşmelerle toplanmış, ses kaydına alınarak dijital ortamda sözel döküme dönüştürülmüştür. Görüşmeler ortalama 30–40 dakika sürmüş ve 26. görüşmede veri doygunluğu sağlanmıştır. Verilerin analizi, Braun ve Clarke’ın altı aşamalı tematik analiz yaklaşımına göre iki araştırmacı tarafından bağımsız olarak yürütülmüş ve MAXQDA yazılımı kullanılarak desteklenmiştir. Çalışma, COREQ rehberine uygun olarak raporlanmıştır. Bulgular: Analiz sonucunda altı ana tema belirlenmiştir: belirsizlikte annelik ve panik, kolik atağının “ağrı” olarak deneyimlenişi, geleneksel yaklaşım yelpazesi, uygulamaların etkililiğinin değerlendirilmesi, modern ve geleneksel yaklaşımların dengelenmesi ve ebeveyn yükü ile destek gereksinimi. Anneler koliği yoğun kaygı, suçluluk ve yetersizlik duygularıyla deneyimlemiş; ısı uygulamaları, bitkisel çaylar, masaj ve manevi pratiklere sıklıkla başvurmuştur. Bu uygulamaların çoğunun yalnızca geçici rahatlama sağladığı ifade edilmiştir. Sonuç: Infantil kolik, anneler için yalnızca fizyolojik değil, çok boyutlu bir psikososyal deneyimdir. Geleneksel uygulamalar, anneler için duygusal düzenleme ve kontrol duygusu sağlama aracı işlevi görmektedir. Bulgular, pediatri hemşireliğinde kültürel açıdan duyarlı, aile merkezli ve yapılandırılmış destek programlarının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Aslan, M., Değirmen, N., Alpaydin, M. (2026). Traditional Approaches Used by Mothers for the Management of Infantile Colic: A Qualitative Study. Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 3, 913–924. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1881447

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