Colicky

Question: I would like to hear from moms who have a gassy and colicky baby. How did you deal with the stress? It seema like I'm useless to my son. He is almost three months and is gassy and colicky. At times, I feel like running out of my house. I give him malicon drops and it seems to help for a short period. I feel useless when I'm unable to ease his pain. How long do these episodes last?

Answer: Our son was like this- he had colic for 18 hours a day- and was in the hospital twice because he was sweating and not taking his formula. I decided any child after him would be breastfed- and have. What did I do? My husband worked 12 hour days and most of them were nights. It was hard. 1. dancing. we discovered by accident that he loved music and celine dion...I didn't care for her-but borrowed my aunt's cd's and danced with him...it was a relief for both of us. 2. when you feel frustrated, put your baby down in a safe place for a time...a crib, a swing, etc. and leave him be. 3. Mylicon didn't work for us either...he was relieved for all of 10 minutes on it...we stopped giving it to him. 4. take your baby outside- the fresh air helps. 5. Car rides-didn't help. He cried harder. 6. Most babies outgrow it between 3 and 4 months. Our son was done at 4 months...and was wonderful after. 7. Plan on the episodes...I could tell when it was going to start by my son's arms and hands scratching at the air. I put him into his seat, got a cup of tea, and sat outside for a bit to relax myself. 8. Get help from family members if you can...someone with patience who can take over when your own arms are tired. My aunt helped me and that is how we found out about dancing and his favorite singer. 9. His pediatrician recommended Soy formula- it did nothing for the colic. NOTHING. Our new pediatrician says many doctors prescribe it because they don't know what else to do. 10. Consult your baby's doctor. Our son is 10 now and is wonderful. It will pass, I promise! Good luck to you and you are in my prayers!

Question: What formula does anyone recommend for colicky babies that spit up a ton? My 7 week old started out on Enfamil Lipil in the hospital. She seemed to be okay with it for about 2 weeks, when she caught a terrible cold and couldn't keep it down anymore and developed severe constipation. Our doctor recommended 3 different formulas: Similac Soy, Enfamil Soy and the Enfamil Gentilease. Needless to say, none of them work (tried each for 4-5 days). My sister's baby is on Nestle Goodstart soy and we tried it and her constipation went away. But now, she still spits up LOADS and seems colicky at night (cries from about 7pm-midnight). What does anyone recommend for colicky babies that spit up a ton? I'm sick of my dr's recommendations because I don't want to keep on switching her around. Any advice would be great, Thanks! We've been on the Goodstart soy for about 3 weeks now. Its just not working. Dr told us to keep switching her after 4-5 days of trying a new formula, which i think is WAY too fast. I really am not liking his advice and am waiting for an appt with a new dr. We have had her on her new Soy formula for 3 weeks now and it has not worked. Thanks for the tips on the nutramigen, i will discuss with my new dr next week at her appt.

Answer: 1st-your switching her formula too fast, her little belly can't take it. 2nd-have you discussed the possablity of reflux with your doctor? If you suspect or have been told that your baby has colic, you may want to consider the possibility that your baby may have reflux. This may not be the answer for all colicky babies, but in my experience and based on my conversations with other mothers, reflux is very common and is very often misdiagnosed as colic. Symptoms These are some of the more common symptoms of reflux. Your baby may only have some of them, and may have other symptoms that are not listed. Spitting up frequently Vomiting Unexplained crying-colicky behavior Poor sleep; frequent waking Fighting/crying during feeding Arching neck or back during feeding Frequent hiccups Congestion Wheezing Coughing Hoarseness Strange odor on breath Poor weight gain Frequent choking episodes Fusses when legs are lifted during diaper change Fusses when in sitting position (like in a car seat) Chewing or smacking of lips after feedings Important: There are a couple of common misconceptions about reflux: First, your baby does not have to be losing weight to have reflux. On the contrary, many reflux babies actually overeat because eating eases the pain. Second, your baby does not have to be spitting up to have reflux. This is known as "silent reflux" and can actually be harder on your baby because their esophagus is getting burned by the acid on the way up and again when it goes back down. It's also a lot harder to recognize as reflux. Talking to your pediatrician: If your baby is exhibiting signs of reflux, you should talk to your pediatrician about it. Be forewarned though that many pediatricians only consider reflux to be a problem if the baby isn't gaining weight properly. Beyond that, many seem to think it's merely a laundry problem for an overreacting parent and will tell you that your baby will grow out of it and send you on your way. Yes, your baby will grow out of it, but if your baby is experiencing pain and discomfort from reflux, there's no reason why he should have to suffer while he's growing out of it! You need to make sure that your doctor understands that your baby is in pain and that you're not complaining about the laundry. And if he still doesn't listen, find another doctor. What you can do to relieve symptoms: Formula Reflux is sometimes due to protein sensitivity, allergy or other intolerance. Your baby may do better on a soy formula, but many babies who don't tolerate milk well are also sensitive to soy proteins as well. Talk to your pediatrician about formula options. There are hypoallergenic formulas such as Alimentum and Nutramigen that may help. They're expensive, but if they help, it's worth every penny. And some insurance companies will cover these specialized formulas if prescribed by a doctor. You can use a pre-thickened formula like Enfamil AR. Positioning Let gravity help your baby whenever possible. Keeping your baby upright during feeding and for 30-45 minutes afterwards will help a lot. Also, many reflux babies have a really hard time laying flat to sleep. My baby was always very restless, noisy, and constantly squirming and grunting. It took me a while to figure out why. Finding a sleeping position that will be comfortable for your baby can be quite a challenge. Here are a few suggestions: Let him sleep in a car seat or bouncy seat Elevate the head end of the crib by placing books under the legs Elevate the head end of the crib mattress by placing a pillow or quilt underneath Use a crib wedge Use a Tucker Sling Medications It's always preferable if you can relieve your baby's symptoms just by making changes in his feeding and positioning, but if you've tried all that and your baby is still suffering, there are a few medications that you might want to ask your pediatrician about. Many are only willing to prescribe Zantac and Reglan. To get a prescription for Prilosec or Prevacid, you will probably have to get a referral to a pediatric GI. OTC antacids such as Maalox and Mylanta (the adult strength liquid); Mylanta Supreme is cherry flavored. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what the proper dosage is for your baby's weight. (should not be used with in 2 hours of Zantac. Zantac (Rx) - neutralizes the acid so that it doesn't "burn" as much; well tolerated by most babies, few side effects Reglan (Rx) - a motility drug (helps empty stomach faster); miracle drug for some, but many babies don't tolerate it well at all, and there are some VERY scary side effects--I would suggest this as a last resort and please please please research it 1st. If you do decide to put your baby on Reglan, know the side effects and keep a close eye on baby! Prilosec or Prevacid (Rx) - acid blockers (PPI-Proton Pump Inhibitor); greatly reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach Also, did you know: American children are held by their parents approximately half as much as children in cultures that routinely use baby slings and carriers. American emphasis on independence and self-reliance plays a significant role. Many parents fear that holding and carrying their babies will make them overly dependent. However, the opposite is true: Infants whose parents satisfy their natural need for closeness routinely develop into self-confident, independent individuals A 1986 study published in Pediatrics confirms that newborns carried in slings or body carriers cry less often and with less severity than those who are not. "Supplemental carrying modifies 'normal' crying by reducing the duration and altering the typical pattern of crying and fussing in the first three months of life," the study states. "The relative lack of carrying in our society may predispose to crying and colic in normal infants." Less crying means less stress for the entire family. Parents feel more confident when they are successful at interpreting and satisfying their baby's needs

Question: Is there prescription medication to help colicky babies? What about probiotics? I am seeing my pediatrician today and I am going to be asking her if there are any medications that might help my colicky month old son. Anyone ever have meds prescribed for colic? If so what was it and did it actually help? i also read that probiotic drops might help by aiding the babies immature digestive system. Anyone try them? I am desperate to find a way to help my little guy.

Answer: my daughters 7 weeks old and she has colic, im not sure if there is medication for it but my health visitor told me to use infacol of gripe water. i have been using infacol and it has made it better not cured it completely but made it better, the gripe water made my baby bring up a lot of her milk when i burped her, good luck hang in there

Question: What baby bottle should I try for a 5wk old who is slightly colicky and has alot of gas? We tried Avent, she started OK on this and began spitting up, also they leaked alot. Now we tried MAM bottles by Sassy and they gave her way too much air, gas! She is becoming slightly colicky in the evening also. Any suggestions? I heard Playtex Drop Ins were great, any ideas??

Answer: my sister used playtex drop-ins n she also said it was great she had 3 awesumely healthy babies with no gassy or colicky problems. Good Luck!

Question: what are the best ways to help sooth a colicky baby? I think my 5 wk old is a little colicky, it worries me so bad to see him in that discomfort and pain.hopefully someone has some good advice.

Answer: awww...poor little one. Gripe Water is a good start. you can buy it at most any pharmacy or discount store like Walgreen's or Wal*Mart. Also for some reason a running vacuum calms them down, sounds odd but it worked for my youngest who acted colicky for a few months. even the sound of the washing machine or dryer worked. when all else failed we just put him in the car and drove around. the lulling and the noise of the tires on asphalt had him out in about 20 mins or so. oh also...swaddle him really well in his blanket, it soothes them a bit. edit: wanted to add that there isn't any evidence that colic is painful. there are theories but no really proof. the gas that is associated with colic could just be from the amount of air sucked in while crying so furiously. i didn't want you worrying about pain, so i thought i'd add this. The main problem with the colic is the stress and anxiety it creates at home, especially if it's your first child. you may find being unable to comfort your baby stressful, as well as finding it difficult to cope with the constant crying, so it's important for you to have support and to take a break if dealing with it has your nerves rattled to much to handle.

Question: My Daughter is 6 weeks old and will not stop crying! Anyone have any creative ways to help calm a colicky baby? Our doctor says she is perfectly healthy, just a bit colicky and has some reflux. I hold her 24 hours a day and she just will not sleep or be calm if she is not in our arms...I love her to death but I need sleep myself! Any moms out there has a creative solution that worked for you?

Answer: I feel your pain. My son had awful colic for almost 6 months and I also had a 12 month old daughter to care for. Thought I was going to lose my mind! It's a helpless and horrible feeling to not be able to cure the colic but there are techniques you can try. I also recommend watching ''The Happiest Baby On The Block'' by Harve Karp. You have to find what works for your baby. For my son the swing was great and so was standing in the washroom in the dark with the water running. I experimented so much I would try everything and annything to soothe my crying baby. You will find the right technique for your baby. Only time really ''cures'' colic. We ended up on Nutrimigen formula which helped a bit. Get help if you can. I had a 12 month old to care for and a colicky baby and if only i had more help then it would have made life much happier. Remember it won't last forever and most colic resolves by 3 months or if your unlucky (like I was) it can drag on longer but that's fairly rare. What I did that helped my son: Swing Rocking him Music seemed to calm him down. Standing in a dark bathroom with the tap or shower running. A warm (not hot) water bottle filled with a bit of water. I would wrap it in a recieving blanket and put it on my sons tummy. Just a few I can remember, be creative and find what works best. Good luck!

Question: Can a 3 month old suddenly become colicky? Our baby used to be consoled by a lot of bouncing and rocking. We could pretty much keep her from crying most of the time. About four days ago she started crying a lot. Every time we try to put her to sleep she cries for at least an hour. Rocking her, bouncing her and breastfeeding her does no good. She even cries when she is done eating and pulls off the breast. Can a baby suddenly become colicky? Has anyone experienced this? Any advice?

Answer: Shes probably teething. My son started teething at that age & got teeth the following month, i thought it was colic too.

Question: what are good bottles for colicky babies? I have twins that are 7 weeks old.. One is colicky ... What is a good bottle for colicky babies???

Answer: Most people swear by Dr. Browns. Advent are also very popular for colic.

Question: are there any suggestions on how to cure a colicky baby? HELP!! losing sleep..... i have two girls, 3 years old and 4 months old. my 4 month old daughter is colicky. i was told that there arent very many things i can do to help it. a couple of things i was told were to cancel things in my diet to see if different foods were affecting my breast milk and attributing to the gas. i have canceled out milk and it seems to be a little better. any suggestions? anything will help!

Answer: Okay... Gas Drops Gripe Water White noise (like a vacuum cleaner running) Motion (pacing the floor with her) Swaddling Pacifier Shushing (pretty loud, same effect as white noise) Baby massage Strap her into her car seat and put it on the running clothes dryer (stay and watch obviously to keep her from sliding off) Car rides My son had colic. What we usually did was to turn the vacuum cleaner on, hold him sideways in our arms (his head resting in the crook of my elbow and his body resting on the length of my arm) and pace the floor. When we weren't home and he had an attack I would hold him upright and hold his head secure against my shoulder. Then twist my torso back and forth while shushing in his ear. It was about the only things that helped him. Also try to get the book or DVD "The Happiest Baby on the Block." It explains a 'calming reflex' and how to do it. Good luck with her.

Question: How did you comfort your colicky baby? My 7 week old daughter seems to be colicky. What are some techniques or things I can do to help comfort her. She seems to cry alot all day. Makes me very sad :(

Answer: Make sure it's colic first. Colic normally happens at certain parts of the day, not usually all day long. So if she's crying all day long, make sure she doesn't need to be burped and doesn't have reflux (which is often mistaken for colic). I really liked gripe water, I still use it while my son is teething and while he has hiccups. It helps soothe them a bit. Also sometimes you just need to hold them. Of course it doesn't usually help, but it helps you feel better knowing you're trying. But I'd definitely go with the gripe water, you can get it at most pharmacy and convenience stores such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.

Question: How can I ease a colicky baby with home remedies ? My 6 week old I think has colic. She cries for about 1 - 2 hours every night at around the same time 10pm. Any suggestion on how to relieve or maybe even cure it for the time being ? Ive tried fennel tea, chamomile tea, gripe water, white noise, swaddle and nothing seems to work. Any suggestions ?

Answer: Do you breastfeed or bottle feed? Breastfed babies can cluster feed (have a lot of feeds regularly) especially late afternoon. We used to call it mongrel hour. Not sure about bottle fed babies. I would just feed her when she cries, until she is settled. You may have to hold her alot during these times. She will grow out of it, she is still very young. It can be very hard, just try to sooth her, you sound like you are doing that anyway.

Question: What non-colicky foods can my wife eat while breastfeeding? What foods are generally considered ok that don't usually cause colic in babies? We know the foods to avoid.

Answer: ITs different based on each baby.. mine got crabby if I had a lot of dairy. (yogurt was fine but ice cream and milk was not)

Question: What are some tips for babysitting a colicky infant? A mother can hold her close and make her feel secure, but what can a babysitter do?

Answer: The same things the mother can. The sitter can hold the baby close, and speak soothingly. The sitter can try swaddling the baby, putting the baby in the swing or vibrating chair, bouncing, going for a walk, possibly a ride in the car (depending on the age of the sitter). Most importantly, the sitter needs to be aware about how stressed she is, if she gets stressed the baby feels it, and just gets more upset. If as the sitter you get too flustered it is perfectly ok to put the baby in her crib, or other safe place for a few minutes and just sit and unwind. You'd be surprised, sometimes they'll even fall assleep there!

Question: What have you tried to soothe a colicky baby? Baby is 5 weeks old and usually will cry while having the bottle in her mouth. Baby does not take the pacifier very well, warm baths help but after a bath the baby does not sleep soundly.

Answer: try giving half the bottle every 1.5 hours instead of all in one go Colic normally stems back to a immature digestive system which many many babies have

Question: How much Chamomile tea to give a colicky baby? My baby is 3 weeks old and has recently had a problem with colic. We heard about the tea and would like to know if anyone has tried it and how much was given to the baby?

Answer: Stay away from tea head over to your grocery store or walgreens and pick a bottle of gripe water. It contains herbal ingredients for your colicky baby....

Question: What can I do with a colicky baby? My baby is 3 1/2 months old and is just now getting over a ear infection, has two teeth coming in and very colicky what can I do? She cries all the time, won't sleep through the night anymore. The only way she will sleep is if she's in her swing please help.

Answer: hey let her sleep in her swing....thats what i did...as long as it comforts her , at this point, you probobly need sleep too.