Colic and Crying
Alternate Names : Infantile Colic
Colic and Crying: Treatment
Helping a child with colic is primarily a matter of experimentation and observation. If you can identify and eliminate a trigger for the colic, that is best. Even if you can't, learn which measures are most comforting for your baby.
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS
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Foods - Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and chocolate. Try eliminating diary products and nuts for a few weeks, as these may be causing allergic reactions in the baby. Other foods may also irritate the baby.
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Formula - Switching formulas is NOT helpful for most babies, but is very important for some.
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Medicine - Some medicines Mom may be taking can also lead to crying.
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Feeding - If a bottle feeding takes less than 20 minutes, the hole in the nipple may be too large. Avoid overfeeding the infant or feeding too quickly.
People often hear that breastfeeding moms should avoid broccoli, cabbage, beans, and other gas-producing foods. However, there is not much evidence that these foods are a factor.
TIPS FOR COMFORTING THE BABY
Different children are comforted by different measures. Some prefer to be swaddled in a warm blanket; others prefer to be free. Try many different things, and pay attention to what seems to help, even just a little bit.
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Holding your child is one of the most effective measures. The more hours they are held, even early in the day when they are not fussy, the less time they will be fussy in the evening. This will not spoil your child. Body carriers can be a great way to do this.
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As babies cry, they swallow more air, creating more gas and perhaps more abdominal pain, which causes more crying. This vicious cycle can be difficult to break. Gentle rocking can be very calming. This is directly comforting and seems to help them pass gas. When you get tired, an infant swing is a good alternative for babies at least 3 weeks old with good head control.
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Singing lullabies to your baby can be powerfully soothing. It is no accident that lullabies have developed in almost every culture. The noise of a vacuum or of a clothes dryer is also soothing to many babies.
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Holding your child in an upright position may help. This aids the movement of gas and decreases heartburn. A warm towel or a warm water bottle on the abdomen can help. Some babies prefer to lie on their tummies, while awake, while someone gives them a backrub. (To avoid SIDS, do not put babies to sleep on their tummies.) The gentle pressure on the abdomen may help.
- Some babies are only happy when they are sucking on something. A pacifier can be like a miracle in these cases.
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The concentration of breast milk changes during a feeding. The "foremilk" at the beginning is plentiful but low in calories and fat. The "hindmilk" at the end of emptying each breast is far richer. Sometimes you can reduce colic by allowing the baby to finish the first breast before offering the second. If the baby still seems uncomfortable or to be eating too much, then offering only one breast (as often as desired) over a 2-3 hour period might give the baby more hindmilk, which is richer and sometimes more soothing.
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Some children seem to do best when they are going for a ride in the car. If your child is one of these, you might try a device developed by a pediatrician to imitate car motion and sound.
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Simethicone drops, a defoaming agent that reduces intestinal gas, may help. It is not absorbed into the body and is therefore quite safe. Sometimes doctors will prescribe stronger medicines for severe colic (but this should only be done after a physical exam).
Taking a break is a good idea. Each of you can take charge and relieve the other. Time for oneself is an important part of the new family dynamic. You will be able to pay more loving attention to your baby when you've had a chance to get refreshed.
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