You don’t need to rush out and buy expensive books or medication at the first sign of colic in your baby. There are some simple measures you can take first. However, if colic pains persist in the baby, seek advice from a baby clinic or physician.
Colic is a phrase used to describe unhappy babies. It is not an accurate diagnosis - the symptoms could be due to trapped winds (Intestinal wind and gas), muscle spasms or neurological overload.
If a baby has more than 3 of the symptoms below (in the same hour) it probably means the baby has so-called colic:
moaning, restless sleep, clenched fists, cramping, refluxing, grunting, pushing, fretfulness, crying spells, wailing, bloating, groaning, arching, evening, fussiness, greenish stools.
If your baby is under two years old you should avoid feeding with any kind of milk except human breast milk or infant formula milk. In particular, do not give the baby goat’s milk or cow’s milk. Also, do not give the baby soy milk, rice milk, or any other kind of non-dairy milk, unless it is specifically formulated as infant formula.
Soy milk as sold in supermarkets is unsuitable for babies under two years old. When it comes to soy in
fant formula, there have been reports in the press saying infant soy formula may affect children’s sexual development and fertility as adults if they are given soy formula during their first few months of life. Therefore do your utmost to give your baby breast milk only in the first few months of life.
Soy infant formula is not known to be more likely to cause colic compared to formulas that contain whey or casein. Once a baby is over six months old and breast milk can no longer be given, there is no reason to avoid soy formula. However, be aware that some infant formulas contain a mix of soy and whey protein.
To relieve your baby of colic you can learn how to use special baby-holding positions and gentle stretching techniques that give the baby relief. Such information is available from maternity wards, baby clinics, and other sources such as a public library, the Citizens Advice Bureau, or by searching the internet.
The main objective of giving the baby stretching and holding exercises is to alleviate gas and reposition intestines. This also relieves pressure on the diaphragm and lumbar spine. Be gentle with the baby whatever you do, and hold the baby safely with plenty of pillow support.
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