Infant Colic

Question: How do you know if your infant has colic? and what causes it? My 7 month old baby girl was up all night crying uncontrollably. Could it be colic? and if so don't they tend to be miserable all day not just at night? Because during the day she is fine! Please help...thanks to all

Answer: She could be teething. here are signs of teething: The first signs of teething usually begin a few months before the first tooth appears, so you will need to look for particular symptoms to ensure that the symptoms you notice are truly teething-related. While most parents generally agree that some or all of the symptoms below occurred around the time of teething, it is still recommended that you check with your pediatrician to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms, especially if you’re baby is running a fever (temperature above 39C [102F]) and/ or appears lethargic and unwell. 1. Irritability: As the new tooth rises closer to the surface your baby’s gums may become increasingly more sore and painful, leading to fussiness and crying. 2. Drooling: From three to four months of age you may see your baby start drooling more often than normal. Teething stimulates drooling, which may be worse with some babies than others. 3. Coughing: The increase in saliva can cause your baby to occasionally cough or gag. As long as your baby shows no signs of a cold or flu and does not run a high fever, this is noting to worry about. 4. Chin rash: If your baby is a heavy drooler, the constant contact with saliva may cause the skin around the chin and mouth to become irritated. Gently wipe your baby’s mouth and chin periodically throughout the day to help prevent chapped skin and rashes. 5. Biting & gnawing: A teething baby will gnaw and gum down on anything. The counter pressure from biting helps relieve the pressure from under the gums and temporarily numbs the pain. Teething aids designed specifically for babies are safe and effective. 6. Cheek rubbing and ear pulling: Pain in the gums may spread to the ears and cheeks particularly when the back molars begin coming in. This is why you may see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling at their ears. However, keep in mind that pulling at an ear can also be a sign of an ear infection, especially when accompanied by a fever. 7. Diarrhea: Most parents usually notice slightly looser bowel movements when a baby is teething. A recent study done by the Children’s Hospital in Australia found this to be the most common symptom of teething, yet many doctors still disagree and discount diarrhea as a symptom of teething. The most likely cause of diarrhea during teething is the extra saliva swallowed, which then loosens the stool. Report any diarrhea that lasts for more than three bowel movements to your doctor. 8. Low-grade fever: A fever is another symptom that doctors are sometimes hesitant to directly link with teething. Many parents however find their baby gets a low-grade fever while teething. Notify your doctor if the temperature rises above 39C (102F) or if the temperature remains elevated for more than 2 days. 9. Not sleeping well: You may find your child wakes more often at night. Most parents agree that night waking occurs more frequently when the molars are coming in. 10. Cold like symptoms (runny nose, etc.): Some parents find that their baby displays cold-like symptoms when teething. Runny noses, coughing and general cold symptoms are believed to be a result of frequent hand-to-mouth movements in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Notify your doctor if cold-like symptoms occur for more than 3 days and do not improve on their own. http://www.babiesonline.com/articles/baby/tensignsofteething.asp COLIC: It is not uncommon for newborn babies to go through periods when they appear abnormally irritable or seemingly cry for no reason. However, if you suspect your baby is suffering from colic, you may look for the following symptoms: cries vigorously for long periods, despite efforts to console symptoms occur around the same time each day or night, often after meal times, and usually ending as abruptly as they began shows signs of gas discomfort and abdominal bloating has a hard, distended stomach, with knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, and an arched back experiences frequent sleeplessness, irritability and fussiness In most cases, colic is the worst pain a baby has thus experienced. It is usually manifested as an acute abdominal pain with intense spasmodic cramping, but since colicky babies cannot describe exactly what distresses them, it is hard for parents to know the precise cause of their distress. Infantile colic is most common in the first few weeks to four months of an infant's life; rarely does it endure past six months of age. Pediatricians often use the "Rule of Three" to diagnose colic: "A baby that cries for three or more hours per day, at least three times per week, within a three month period". Wess, et al., "Paroxysmas fussing in infancy." Pediatrics 1984:74:998. About 25 percent of babies worldwide meet the official "Rule of Threes" criteria for medical diagnosis of colic. What Causes Infants to become Colicky? There is no single consistent cause for colic that experts all agree upon. However, a lot of evidence suggests that colic may be caused in different ways in different babies. There appear to be several contributing factors that, when occurring in combination, are likely to result in colic pain and discomfort: Newborns have an immature digestive system that has never processed food. The gastrointestinal system is literally just learning to function. Muscles that support digestion have not developed the proper rhythm for moving food efficiently thought the digestive tract. Furthermore, newborns lack the benevolent bacterial flora (probiotics) that develop over time to aid digestion. This explains why almost all infants outgrow colic within the first six months Certain foods eaten by lactating mothers contain volatile chemicals and allergens that in a small percentage of infants result in colic discomfort and digestive upset. Through lactation, trace elements of cruciferous vegetables and other gas producing foods may be passed via breast milk to baby and cause gas and bloating. Infants often swallow air while feeding or during strenuous crying, which increases gas and bloating, further adding to their discomfort. Since infants nervous systems are so immature, it is possible for them to get overloaded with unfamiliar sights and sounds. Infants that are easily overloaded often experience more severe colic, fussiness, and difficulty sleeping later in the day or at night. In general, the more activity (errands, visitors, T.V., phones, etc.) in baby's day, the higher the chances of baby becoming colicky and fussy. What Treatment Options are Available to Relieve Baby Colic? Colic, and the months of distress and sleeplessness that it brings to both infants and parents, can leave you feeling frantic, frustrated, worried, exhausted, confused, guilty and inadequate. Foremost, it is essential to build and maintain a loving bond with your infant. If your baby experiences colic that does not appear to dissipate, you will probably be looking for a safe, natural and effective colic remedy to ease your baby's suffering. There are several treatments available for baby colic. As always, you should consult your pediatrician first before giving baby any medications, remedies or supplements. Homeopathic remedies can be an excellent choice for treating infant colic symptoms. Homeopathy is safe and completely allergen-free and side-effect-free. There is only one such liquid formula on the market. Colic Calm Gripe Water is available online and in select health food stores and health practitioners' offices. Colic Calm has a success rate of over 90% in treating baby colic. Many parents and caretakers have been relieved to find an all-natural remedy. The unique homeopathic formula works within minutes, so it is only given on an "as needed" basis. Thousands of satisfied customers have also reported that it works wonders for bloating, pressure, stomach cramps, hiccups, teething and even acid reflux. It is also extremely effective on gas created during introduction of new foods into babies' delicate digestive tracts. A combination of homeopathic ingredients are used to treat the multiple symptoms of colic as depicted below. There are other gripe waters on the market that are sold as "dietary supplements". Be careful! These are not regulated by the FDA and fall under loose dietary supplement guidelines. Generally, the main ingredients of these products include: Sodium Bicarbonate (a.k.a. Baking Soda). Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali (antacid) which alters the naturally occurring pH of baby's stomach acid. It may counteract some discomfort caused by acid reflux in cases of acidic stomach. However, changing the delicate pH balance in baby’s system can cause over-alkalinity and exacerbate a colicky condition. Furthermore, sodium bicarbonate is also absorbed into the bloodstream and thus can have unwanted side effects. Studies have shown that sodium bicarbonate can deplete and interfere with Folic Acid and Iron, indicating that it may affect the function or absorption of both. For this reason, sodium bicarbonate containing products are not to be consumed by “children under 5 years of age”, as stated clearly on antacid and baking soda boxes. Antacids always warn against extended use: “Do not use for more than 2 weeks”. According to some doctors, sodium bicarbonate can cause an imbalance in babies’ electrolytes, which can also lead to serious problems. Please note that antacids do interact with or prevent the absorption of many medications including, but not limited to, aspirin, tetracycline, penicillamine and ulcer medications (Zantac, Pepcid, Axid, Tagamet). According to Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, antacids (sodium bicarbonate) “should not be given to young children (up to 6 years of age) unless prescribed by their doctor”. Since child

Question: how do i relieve my 5months infant of colic? Wakes in the morning crying with fussiness, after experiencing same thing through out the night.

Answer: Try this...I thought my baby had colic and found out all I needed to do was burp him then lay him down on a pillow wedge at a 45 degree angle. The problem was immediately solved.

Question: Does red tea really help with infant colic? OK, I have been looking high and low on info. about colic. I've read that Red Tea is good cure for colic...Is this true? I am a breastfeeding mother, my son is 2mon old., has colic, and I want to know does this red tea really work. How do you do this: Can I drink red tea to soothe my baby or what? Help me please someone... I have to know!!!!

Answer: Take him to a pediatric chiropractor for an adjustment--I know of a friend who sees babies for this, not to mention a separate friend in another state that swears it saved her sanity when her son was an infant. Worth a shot! I've never heard about the tea, but I'd try drinking it yourself to see if that works, but I'm willing to bet that they are having babies drink the tea from a bottle. I'm guessing yours wouldn't take it.

Question: If I had colic as an infant, am I more likely to have a baby who has colic? I had colic when I was a baby...my mom says I didn't do much else but cry constantly for a few months. I was just curious if that means I would be more likely to have a baby who has colic? Thanks!

Answer: Although the doctors say that it does not run in families, my husband had colic for 6 months - lo and behold my almost 5 month old son is still dealing with it.

Question: Infant Colic - Can certain Foods eaten by Lactating Mothers cause Infant Colic?

Answer: There's an indirect relationship here. Remember that the baby's gastrointestinal tract is just beginning to adjust in the first 8 months of food ingestion, and so, is quite sensitive. It is possible that trace elements of cabbage, beans, spicy cuisine and other gas producing foods eaten by the mother may be passed on to the baby through the breast milk. This can cause gas and bloating in the infant. Babies often swallow air while feeding or crying, which can further increase gas & bloating and add to the infant's colicky discomfort.

Question: How much camomile tea is safe to give an infant with colic?

Answer: You should never give any child under the age of 2 any herbal teas. A much better remedy for colic which is usually caused by gas is Mylicon gas relief drops. You can also lay the baby belly-down across your lap and rub their back. It helps them pass gas which is difficult for a small baby to do on their own. Also placing the baby in their car seat or bouncy on top of a running dryer will often soothe a fussy baby. Of course, make sure to supervise so the dryer doesn't vibrate the seat off and onto the floor.

Question: Gas relief drops for infant with colic? My 2 week old baby started to show symptoms of colic. Her doc suggested chamomille tea or gas drops. The tea didn't seem to work so I wanna try the gas relief drops. What brand do you recommend? I know that a bunch of Tylenol products have been recalled so I wanna stay away from Tylenol.

Answer: I used gripe water or oval drops they both work. I prefer the oval drops they seem to work faster and better.

Question: does having infant colic for a baby delay teething for a year?

Answer: Nope, i've never even heard of that.

Question: What are the best infant bottles to prevent colic and gas?? I heard the drop ins were the best... Thank you for all your answers and advice

Answer: Avent or Dr. Brown's - the bottles that have the plastic 'stick' in the middle of them.

Question: INFANT COLIC. Anyone hear of LEVSIN? Dr. just prescribed this to my 2 1/2 month old son today. He seemed to prescribe it to relieve my fears more than anything...I'm not sure! My son is having tummy problems and is already on nutramigen formula. We've tried them all and although not perfect, nutramigen is the best of all eveils...I'm just wondering if anyone has heard of using these drops for infant colic? Good or Bad?????

Answer: my son was prescribed that at 3 months old. he had horrible stomach aches. that was a life saver for me and him. we gave him that only if mylicon didn't work and at the same time we gave him a little bit of tylenol. he seemed to like the taste so he would stop crying long enough to realize the levsin helped his tummy and he was much happier. also try putting a warm towel on his tummy (over is clothes of course) and you could also try laying him across your knees belly down and bounce him very gently. the vibration might help to break up the gas bubbles and make them easier to pass. hope this helps

Question: Treatment for infant colic.? Hi all. If anyone has had experience of infant colic or knows any effective or useful alleviations I would really appreciate a sharing of those experiences. Many thanks. God bless.

Answer: Try Infacol. It is specially formulated to relieve wind, infant colic and griping pain from birth onwards. It even comes with a handy integrated dropper to make it easy to give to your baby.

Question: What is the best way to treat gas and colic in a 1 month old infant? What are the best products for treating gas in a 1 month old? Mylicon doesn't seem to be doing well. I've heard pros and cons about various gripe waters. Are there any home remedies? Also, what is the best way to handle a weepy diaper rash? (it's bleeding) right now I am using desitin original. The cream didn't work AT ALL. I also used browned flour. Any other suggestions? Thanks :)

Answer: Little Tummys worked pretty well for my g-daughter. We used gripe water ,butI believe she was a bit older than your lil one,but it worked well also. Try Boudreaux Butt Paste for the hiney if it doesn't clear up it may be a yeast infection and a you may need a prescription medicine. Best of luck.

Question: Have any of you ever gotten chiropractic care for your infant to help with colic or fussiness......? Our 5 week old is quite fussy, we think it may be colic. Our next door neighbor is a chiropractor and he has offered to look at and adjust our baby free of charge to help relieve some of that fussiness. Have any of you had this done for your infant and if so what was the result?

Answer: Go for it. My chiro has been asked to be present at many births some of which he performed adjustments immediatly after the birth. Good Luck.

Question: Is there a remedy for an infant, 3 weeks old suffering from colic? we have made several trips to the emergency room because the infant sleeps most of the day and she cries a lot at night. I was told she has colic

Answer: Try lightly bouncing her on her belly with your knees..you can lay her on her back and making her legs do the "riding the bike" motions, a warm bath with mommy while gently rubbing her little tummy..My kids did not have colic but I have been around many many babies who did. Try burping as much as you can throughout the day. You can try puting her on your washer or dryer while its running, sometimes the vibrations and sounds may help. They sometimes like to wrapped up tight in a blanket to help sooth. Utilize friends and family, they can give you a break and help with stress levels! You may even try giving your baby a message..I know this advice is all over the place but some of these things worked with us..Good luck! Dealing with a colicky baby can be a true test on your physical stamina and emotional stability

Question: how do u cure infant colic? can someone please tell me how to cure my son's colic? i am almose certain that he has it, cause i read about it online, and he has all the signs of it, can someone please tell me how to keep my three week old son quiet!!

Answer: First off take baby to doctor to confirm there isn't anything else going on. My son was supposedly experiencing colic but it was actually any allergy to milk protein. Do your best to keep air out of the belly so it doesn't have a chance to get trapped in the intestines and cause pain. Swaddling works for some babies but not all. Be sure to check that he's a comfortable temp without being to hot or cold. Look for anything that may be irritating his skin. Things like a hair wrapped around a toe or finger...sensitivity on seams of clothing etc. My daughter is just now 3 weeks as well and is doing a similar thing every night about 4 am. I've found running the radio in a dark room while rocking her back and forth helps while making a "shhhh" sound in her ear helps. the swing doesn't help since she wants to go back and forth not side to side. Keep baby propped up after feedings. In all honesty there are so many things that are suggested and they don't all work with every baby. All you can do is rule out what doesn't work and try to prevent the crying before it happens.

Question: Infant sick Ok during the day but seems to have colic or gets sick/upset in the evenings? My friends newborn daughter is crying all the time, however seems better during the day?? Any suggestions or maybe reasons, things to try? As far as I know the baby and Mom were health at and during birth. She and I think maybe allergy related??? Thanks

Answer: Its typical for colic to be worse in late afternoon and evening. They don't know what causes it, but it tends to go away at 4 months . 2 in 10 babies have it.