Baby colic
Infant colic (also known as baby colic and three month colic) is a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or screams frequently and for extended periods, without any discernible reason.
The condition typically appears within the first two weeks of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is three to four months old.
It is more common in bottle-fed babies, but also occurs in breast-fed infants.
The crying frequently occurs during a specific period of the day, often in the early evening.
Since the cause is not conclusively established (see below) and the amount of crying differs between babies, there is no general consensus on the definition of "colic".
Having ruled out other causes of crying, a common rule of thumb is to consider a baby "colicky" if it cries intensely more than three days a week, for more than three hours, for more than three weeks in a month.
Causes
There is no commonly accepted explanation for colic.
Traditionally, colic was ascribed to abdominal pain resulting from trapped gas in the digestive tract.
This theory is not yet discredited, and some recent scientific evidence seems to support it, yet it is no longer universally accepted as the general cause.
There is solid and mounting evidence that the causes are related to gut flora, from multiple studies which have shown that colicky babies have different gut flora patterns, which includes a lack of Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Some of these studies suggest the administering of a probiotic, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, will improve the condition.
Probiotics have been shown to improve other conditions associated with colic, such as lactose intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, and gastric inflammation.
In addition to that probiotics have been shown to generally improve the health of children who take them.
Some doctors claim that it is a combination of a baby's sensitive temperament, the environment, and its immature nervous system which makes him/her cry easily and without control.
Others believe that it originates in problems in the baby's digestive system, specifically because of the buildup of gas which cannot be released.
New studies at the Colic Clinic at Brown University demonstrate that nearly half of babies with colic have mild gastroesophageal reflux.
Some cases may be the result of lactose intolerance.
Because of the links between prenatal stress, birth trauma, maternal stress etc, and colic, it has also been suggested that some 'colic', or excessive crying may actually be a healthy stress release requiring support and facilitation rather than suppression or 'cure'.
Treatment
There is currently no generally-accepted medical treatment for colic, and the approach taken by medical professionals varies substantially from country to country and indeed from doctor to doctor.
Many believe that the condition is currently untreatable, and is best left to run its course.
Other doctors prescribe simethicone, which treats trapped gas; some parents report that this is effective, but for many others it is not, and research suggests that it is not useful.
One study showed a moderate success when infants with colic were treated with dicyclomine, an anti-spasmotic drug commonly found in some anti-diarrheal medications.
In addition to herbal teas it is believed that the organoleptic effects of certain herbs can help calm and relieve colic symptoms.
Scientists warn that further studies are necessary before any specific cure should be recommended.
There is general agreement that soothing measures, such as pacifiers, listening to white noise and rocking, are often effective in calming the baby during crying periods.
Also known as the "cuddle cure", the five S's are known as Swaddling, placing the baby on their Side or Stomach, Swinging the baby, making a Shhh sound in the baby's ear, and giving the baby something to Suck on.
Some parents take turns holding the baby upright (which may reduce the pain and crying) to enable the other parent to catch up on sleep. Babies with lactose intolerance or reflux cry harder and longer when left to lie on their backs, but parents are not advised to put the baby to sleep on their front as it is considered a risk factor for Sudden Infant death Syndrome.
Various tactics, such as changes in diet or routine, an increase in fresh air or certain herbal teas, are popularly believed to cure colic.
There is also the theory that rubbing warm olive oil on the hands and feet, then rubbing the stomach with olive oil in a clockwise motion will cure colic. While some of these may help in certain cases, none of them is known to be universally effective.
The widespread belief in them may be partly due to the suddenness with which colic naturally resolves itself. Many parents keep trying different approaches until the colic suddenly stops, at which point they presume that the last thing they tried was the cure.
In cases where 'colic' or excessive crying is possibly the infants innate healing mechanism helping them to recover from birth trauma or other past or current stress, appropriate holding and facilitation techniques may be able to increase the effectiveness of the release process and reduce the overall amount of crying time needed.
In any case parents may benefit from learning these techniques, as this can help them to cope better psychologically with their child's distress, and to feel more empowered in the midst of an extremely trying situation.
www.baby-tips.com
The condition typically appears within the first two weeks of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is three to four months old.
It is more common in bottle-fed babies, but also occurs in breast-fed infants.
The crying frequently occurs during a specific period of the day, often in the early evening.
Since the cause is not conclusively established (see below) and the amount of crying differs between babies, there is no general consensus on the definition of "colic".
Having ruled out other causes of crying, a common rule of thumb is to consider a baby "colicky" if it cries intensely more than three days a week, for more than three hours, for more than three weeks in a month.
Causes
There is no commonly accepted explanation for colic.
Traditionally, colic was ascribed to abdominal pain resulting from trapped gas in the digestive tract.
This theory is not yet discredited, and some recent scientific evidence seems to support it, yet it is no longer universally accepted as the general cause.
There is solid and mounting evidence that the causes are related to gut flora, from multiple studies which have shown that colicky babies have different gut flora patterns, which includes a lack of Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Some of these studies suggest the administering of a probiotic, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, will improve the condition.
Probiotics have been shown to improve other conditions associated with colic, such as lactose intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, and gastric inflammation.
In addition to that probiotics have been shown to generally improve the health of children who take them.
Some doctors claim that it is a combination of a baby's sensitive temperament, the environment, and its immature nervous system which makes him/her cry easily and without control.
Others believe that it originates in problems in the baby's digestive system, specifically because of the buildup of gas which cannot be released.
New studies at the Colic Clinic at Brown University demonstrate that nearly half of babies with colic have mild gastroesophageal reflux.
Some cases may be the result of lactose intolerance.
Because of the links between prenatal stress, birth trauma, maternal stress etc, and colic, it has also been suggested that some 'colic', or excessive crying may actually be a healthy stress release requiring support and facilitation rather than suppression or 'cure'.
Treatment
There is currently no generally-accepted medical treatment for colic, and the approach taken by medical professionals varies substantially from country to country and indeed from doctor to doctor.
Many believe that the condition is currently untreatable, and is best left to run its course.
Other doctors prescribe simethicone, which treats trapped gas; some parents report that this is effective, but for many others it is not, and research suggests that it is not useful.
One study showed a moderate success when infants with colic were treated with dicyclomine, an anti-spasmotic drug commonly found in some anti-diarrheal medications.
In addition to herbal teas it is believed that the organoleptic effects of certain herbs can help calm and relieve colic symptoms.
Scientists warn that further studies are necessary before any specific cure should be recommended.
There is general agreement that soothing measures, such as pacifiers, listening to white noise and rocking, are often effective in calming the baby during crying periods.
Also known as the "cuddle cure", the five S's are known as Swaddling, placing the baby on their Side or Stomach, Swinging the baby, making a Shhh sound in the baby's ear, and giving the baby something to Suck on.
Some parents take turns holding the baby upright (which may reduce the pain and crying) to enable the other parent to catch up on sleep. Babies with lactose intolerance or reflux cry harder and longer when left to lie on their backs, but parents are not advised to put the baby to sleep on their front as it is considered a risk factor for Sudden Infant death Syndrome.
Various tactics, such as changes in diet or routine, an increase in fresh air or certain herbal teas, are popularly believed to cure colic.
There is also the theory that rubbing warm olive oil on the hands and feet, then rubbing the stomach with olive oil in a clockwise motion will cure colic. While some of these may help in certain cases, none of them is known to be universally effective.
The widespread belief in them may be partly due to the suddenness with which colic naturally resolves itself. Many parents keep trying different approaches until the colic suddenly stops, at which point they presume that the last thing they tried was the cure.
In cases where 'colic' or excessive crying is possibly the infants innate healing mechanism helping them to recover from birth trauma or other past or current stress, appropriate holding and facilitation techniques may be able to increase the effectiveness of the release process and reduce the overall amount of crying time needed.
In any case parents may benefit from learning these techniques, as this can help them to cope better psychologically with their child's distress, and to feel more empowered in the midst of an extremely trying situation.
www.baby-tips.com
Infant weight gain
Breastfed infants generally gain weight according to the following guidelines:
0–4 months: 170 grams per week†
4–6 months: 113–142 grams per week
6–12 months: 57–113 grams per week
† It is acceptable for some babies to gain 113–142 grams (4–5 ounces) per week. This average is taken from the lowest weight, not the birth weight.
The average breastfed baby doubles birth weight in 5–6 months.
By one year, the typical breastfed baby will weigh about 2½ times birth weight.
At one year, breastfed babies tend to be leaner than bottle fed babies.
By two years, differences in weight gain and growth between breastfed and formula-fed babies are no longer evident.
Read more at www.baby-tips.com
0–4 months: 170 grams per week†
4–6 months: 113–142 grams per week
6–12 months: 57–113 grams per week
† It is acceptable for some babies to gain 113–142 grams (4–5 ounces) per week. This average is taken from the lowest weight, not the birth weight.
The average breastfed baby doubles birth weight in 5–6 months.
By one year, the typical breastfed baby will weigh about 2½ times birth weight.
At one year, breastfed babies tend to be leaner than bottle fed babies.
By two years, differences in weight gain and growth between breastfed and formula-fed babies are no longer evident.
Read more at www.baby-tips.com
BREASTFEEDING from A to Z
From the first time you breastfeed your baby, you have to maintain a certain plan.
This is necessary to keep the child in a good physical and mental health.
It will also contribute to preserve the health of the mother, who will thus be rendered a good nurse.
Her most important duty will become a time of well-being and pleasure at the same time.
This implies, of course, a careful attention on the part of the mother to her own health;
Healthy, nourishing, and digestible milk can be procured only from a healthy parent; and it is against common sense to expect that, if a mother impairs her health and digestion by improper diet, neglect of exercise, and impure air, she can, nevertheless, provide as wholesome and uncontaminated a fluid for her child, as if she were diligently attentive to these important points.
Every instance of indisposition in the nurse is liable to affect the infant.
No need to say the use of drugs (including cigarettes!) is absolutely forbidden.
It is a common mistake to suppose that, because a woman is nursing, she ought therefore to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this plan is, to cause an unnatural degree of fulness in the system, which places the nurse on the brink of disease, and which of itself frequently puts a stop to the secretion of the milk, instead of increasing it.
The right plan of proceeding while breast feeding is plain enough; only pay attention to the ordinary laws of health.
This way, the mother, if she has a sound constitution, will make a better nurse than by any foolish deviation founded on ignorance and caprice.
The following case proves the correctness of this statement:
A young lady, confined with her first child, left the lying-in room at the expiration of the third week, a good nurse, and in perfect health. She had had some slight trouble with her nipples, but this was soon overcome.
The porter system was now commenced, and from a pint to a pint and a half of this beverage was taken in the four and twenty hours. This was resorted to, not because there was any deficiency in the supply of milk, for it was ample, and the infant thriving upon it; but because, having become a nurse, she was told that it was usual and necessary, and that without it her milk and strength would fail.
After this plan had been followed for a few days, the mother became drowsy and disposed to sleep in the daytime; and headach, thirst, a hot skin, in fact, fever supervened; the milk diminished in quantity, and, for the first time, the stomach and bowels of the infant became disordered. The porter was ordered to be left off; remedial measures were prescribed; and all symptoms, both in parent and child, were after a while removed, and health restored.
Having been accustomed, prior to becoming a mother, to take a glass or two of wine, and occasionally a tumbler of table beer, she was advised to follow precisely her former dietetic plan, but with the addition of half a pint of barley-milk morning and night.
Both parent and child continued in excellent health during the remaining period of suckling, and the latter did not taste artificial food until the ninth month, the parent's milk being all-sufficient for its wants.
No one can doubt that the porter was in this case the source of the mischief. The patient had gone into the lying-in-room in full health, had had a good time, and came out from her chamber (comparatively) as strong as she entered it.
Her constitution had not been previously worn down by repeated child-bearing and nursing, she had an ample supply of milk, and was fully capable, therefore, of performing the duties which now devolved upon her, without resorting to any unusual stimulant or support.
Her previous habits were totally at variance with the plan which was adopted; her system became too full, disease was produced, and the result experienced was nothing more than what might be expected.
The breast feeding plan to be followed for the first six months.
Until the breast- milk is fully established, which may not be until the second or third day subsequent to delivery (almost invariably so in a first confinement), the infant must be fed upon a little thin gruel, or upon one third water and two thirds milk, sweetened with loaf sugar.
After this time it must obtain its nourishment from the breast alone, and for a week or ten days the appetite of the infant must be the mother's guide, as to the frequency in offering the breast. The stomach at birth is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its wants, therefore, are easily satisfied, but they are frequently renewed.
An interval, however, sufficient for digesting the little swallowed, is obtained before the appetite again revives, and a fresh supply is demanded.
At the expiration of a week or so it is essentially necessary, and with some children this may be done with safety from the first day of suckling, to nurse the infant at regular intervals of three or four hours, day and night. This allows sufficient time for each meal to be digested, and tends to keep the bowels of the child in order.
Such regularity, moreover, will do much to obviate fretfulness, and that constant cry, which seems as if it could be allayed only by constantly putting the child to the breast.
A young mother very frequently runs into a serious error in this particular, considering every expression of uneasiness as an indication of appetite, and whenever the infant cries offering it the breast, although ten minutes may not have elapsed since its last meal.
This is an injurious and even dangerous practice, for, by overloading the stomach, the food remains undigested, the child's bowels are always out of order, it soon becomes restless and feverish, and is, perhaps, eventually lost; when, by simply attending to the above rules of nursing, the infant might have become healthy and vigorous.
For the same reason, the infant that sleeps with its parent must not be allowed to have the nipple remaining in its mouth all night.
If nursed as suggested, it will be found to awaken, as the hour for its meal approaches, with great regularity. In reference to night-nursing, I would suggest suckling the babe as late as ten o'clock p. m., and not putting it to the breast again until five o'clock the next morning. Many mothers have adopted this hint, with great advantage to their own health, and without the slightest detriment to that of the child. With the latter it soon becomes a habit; to induce it, however, it must be taught early.
The foregoing plan, and without variation, must be pursued to the sixth month of breast feeding.
After the sixth month to the time of weaning, if the parent has a large supply of good and nourishing milk, and her child is healthy and evidently flourishing upon it, no change in its diet ought to be made. If otherwise, however, (and this will but too frequently be the case, even before the sixth month) the child may be fed twice in the course of the day, and that kind of food chosen which, after a little trial, is found to agree best.
www.baby-tips.com
This is necessary to keep the child in a good physical and mental health.
It will also contribute to preserve the health of the mother, who will thus be rendered a good nurse.
Her most important duty will become a time of well-being and pleasure at the same time.
This implies, of course, a careful attention on the part of the mother to her own health;
Healthy, nourishing, and digestible milk can be procured only from a healthy parent; and it is against common sense to expect that, if a mother impairs her health and digestion by improper diet, neglect of exercise, and impure air, she can, nevertheless, provide as wholesome and uncontaminated a fluid for her child, as if she were diligently attentive to these important points.
Every instance of indisposition in the nurse is liable to affect the infant.
No need to say the use of drugs (including cigarettes!) is absolutely forbidden.
It is a common mistake to suppose that, because a woman is nursing, she ought therefore to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this plan is, to cause an unnatural degree of fulness in the system, which places the nurse on the brink of disease, and which of itself frequently puts a stop to the secretion of the milk, instead of increasing it.
The right plan of proceeding while breast feeding is plain enough; only pay attention to the ordinary laws of health.
This way, the mother, if she has a sound constitution, will make a better nurse than by any foolish deviation founded on ignorance and caprice.
The following case proves the correctness of this statement:
A young lady, confined with her first child, left the lying-in room at the expiration of the third week, a good nurse, and in perfect health. She had had some slight trouble with her nipples, but this was soon overcome.
The porter system was now commenced, and from a pint to a pint and a half of this beverage was taken in the four and twenty hours. This was resorted to, not because there was any deficiency in the supply of milk, for it was ample, and the infant thriving upon it; but because, having become a nurse, she was told that it was usual and necessary, and that without it her milk and strength would fail.
After this plan had been followed for a few days, the mother became drowsy and disposed to sleep in the daytime; and headach, thirst, a hot skin, in fact, fever supervened; the milk diminished in quantity, and, for the first time, the stomach and bowels of the infant became disordered. The porter was ordered to be left off; remedial measures were prescribed; and all symptoms, both in parent and child, were after a while removed, and health restored.
Having been accustomed, prior to becoming a mother, to take a glass or two of wine, and occasionally a tumbler of table beer, she was advised to follow precisely her former dietetic plan, but with the addition of half a pint of barley-milk morning and night.
Both parent and child continued in excellent health during the remaining period of suckling, and the latter did not taste artificial food until the ninth month, the parent's milk being all-sufficient for its wants.
No one can doubt that the porter was in this case the source of the mischief. The patient had gone into the lying-in-room in full health, had had a good time, and came out from her chamber (comparatively) as strong as she entered it.
Her constitution had not been previously worn down by repeated child-bearing and nursing, she had an ample supply of milk, and was fully capable, therefore, of performing the duties which now devolved upon her, without resorting to any unusual stimulant or support.
Her previous habits were totally at variance with the plan which was adopted; her system became too full, disease was produced, and the result experienced was nothing more than what might be expected.
The breast feeding plan to be followed for the first six months.
Until the breast- milk is fully established, which may not be until the second or third day subsequent to delivery (almost invariably so in a first confinement), the infant must be fed upon a little thin gruel, or upon one third water and two thirds milk, sweetened with loaf sugar.
After this time it must obtain its nourishment from the breast alone, and for a week or ten days the appetite of the infant must be the mother's guide, as to the frequency in offering the breast. The stomach at birth is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its wants, therefore, are easily satisfied, but they are frequently renewed.
An interval, however, sufficient for digesting the little swallowed, is obtained before the appetite again revives, and a fresh supply is demanded.
At the expiration of a week or so it is essentially necessary, and with some children this may be done with safety from the first day of suckling, to nurse the infant at regular intervals of three or four hours, day and night. This allows sufficient time for each meal to be digested, and tends to keep the bowels of the child in order.
Such regularity, moreover, will do much to obviate fretfulness, and that constant cry, which seems as if it could be allayed only by constantly putting the child to the breast.
A young mother very frequently runs into a serious error in this particular, considering every expression of uneasiness as an indication of appetite, and whenever the infant cries offering it the breast, although ten minutes may not have elapsed since its last meal.
This is an injurious and even dangerous practice, for, by overloading the stomach, the food remains undigested, the child's bowels are always out of order, it soon becomes restless and feverish, and is, perhaps, eventually lost; when, by simply attending to the above rules of nursing, the infant might have become healthy and vigorous.
For the same reason, the infant that sleeps with its parent must not be allowed to have the nipple remaining in its mouth all night.
If nursed as suggested, it will be found to awaken, as the hour for its meal approaches, with great regularity. In reference to night-nursing, I would suggest suckling the babe as late as ten o'clock p. m., and not putting it to the breast again until five o'clock the next morning. Many mothers have adopted this hint, with great advantage to their own health, and without the slightest detriment to that of the child. With the latter it soon becomes a habit; to induce it, however, it must be taught early.
The foregoing plan, and without variation, must be pursued to the sixth month of breast feeding.
After the sixth month to the time of weaning, if the parent has a large supply of good and nourishing milk, and her child is healthy and evidently flourishing upon it, no change in its diet ought to be made. If otherwise, however, (and this will but too frequently be the case, even before the sixth month) the child may be fed twice in the course of the day, and that kind of food chosen which, after a little trial, is found to agree best.
www.baby-tips.com
Baby tips for new parents
Baby Tips for the new mom and dad
Now that the day has arrived that you can finally hold your long expected baby in your arms, you begin to wonder…
How will I care for my newborn baby?
How can identify his needs at different times?
What exactly is bothering him when he is crying? Is he hungry or is he feeling uncomfortable in his crib or maybe he is sick or baby gets his first teeth?
These are the questions that we, at Baby-Tips.com, try to help you with.
Here, we provide a lot of free tips and advices on everything about caring for your baby, from sleep time to his first cold and from breast feeding to his first vaccination.
All these baby issues can be overwhelming, especially when this is your first baby. For example : when can you give your baby the breast and how to be sure baby is feeling well and confident during breast feeding?
You can download how-to guides explaining breastfeeding, coping with teeth and dealing with baby sickness.
However, while we try to be comprehensive in our tips, do know that we cannot provide medical advice. At the slightest hint that your baby may be unwell, your first action should always be to visit you pediatrician.
When baby grows you may wonder when is it time for the first baby shoes?And where to look at when you buy shoes for baby?
Feel free to browse through our website and feed yourself with all the tips, how- to guides and advices we have compiled. While having a newborn baby in the family can be both joyful and stressful, having lots of love and patience will go a long way in helping you being a good parent.
Read more at www.baby-tips.com
Now that the day has arrived that you can finally hold your long expected baby in your arms, you begin to wonder…
How will I care for my newborn baby?
How can identify his needs at different times?
What exactly is bothering him when he is crying? Is he hungry or is he feeling uncomfortable in his crib or maybe he is sick or baby gets his first teeth?
These are the questions that we, at Baby-Tips.com, try to help you with.
Here, we provide a lot of free tips and advices on everything about caring for your baby, from sleep time to his first cold and from breast feeding to his first vaccination.
All these baby issues can be overwhelming, especially when this is your first baby. For example : when can you give your baby the breast and how to be sure baby is feeling well and confident during breast feeding?
You can download how-to guides explaining breastfeeding, coping with teeth and dealing with baby sickness.
However, while we try to be comprehensive in our tips, do know that we cannot provide medical advice. At the slightest hint that your baby may be unwell, your first action should always be to visit you pediatrician.
When baby grows you may wonder when is it time for the first baby shoes?And where to look at when you buy shoes for baby?
Feel free to browse through our website and feed yourself with all the tips, how- to guides and advices we have compiled. While having a newborn baby in the family can be both joyful and stressful, having lots of love and patience will go a long way in helping you being a good parent.
Read more at www.baby-tips.com
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