Evaluation of the Knowledge Level and Attitude of Mothers About Infantile Colic

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the sources of information of mothers about infantile colic, the factors that may affect colic attacks and their perception about behavioral soothing techniques, their attitudes regarding supplementary and alternative vegetable supplements and medicine treatments. Methods: This prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the mothers of 0-6 month old babies followed in the Newborn Policlinic. One hundred fifty volunteering mothers were included in this study. The data were col- lected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire in this study, including 26 questions, was prepared by the researchers. In the questionnaire, the participants were asked questions face to face. Results: The findings obtained in this study showed that 106 mothers (70,7%) had a story about an infantile colic baby. 45% of the mothers received information from health professionals, 18% from the internet and social media, 13% from family elders. They were thinking that colic attacks would increase because of the food the mothers ate due to the mothers not keeping themselves warm and formula feeding. The behavioral soothing techniques most widely used were giving a massage to the baby, washing the baby and putting a warm towel on the baby’s belly. Fifty-four mothers (36%) said that the babies could be given herbal tea and (61.3%) said that they would prefer fennel tea. The most common treatments administered by physicians were probiotic drops and simethicone drops. Fifty-nine of the mothers (39%) indicated that colic attacks would do harm to the baby in the future and 122 of them (81.3%) indicated that the same could be harmful to the mothers’ psychology. Discussion and Conclusion: Parents should be informed that infantile colic is a self-limiting and benign condition, will not harm their babies. They also should be conscious of the side of supplementary and alternative vegetable supplements. The mothers should be supported by other family elders in baby-care, motivated by health professionals, and mothers should receive psychological counseling support when necessary.