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Mother & Baby

Colic

Colic is not a disease - it is a temporary physical disorder. However it can be confused with genuine medical conditions such as a milk-protein allergy, a lactose intolerance or gastro-oesophageal reflux. Colicky babies do not fail to thrive. Despite the tears, babies with colic are otherwise healthy and happy. Professionals still don't have a conclusive answer, or solution, to colic.

Causes of Colic

The baby swallows air causing heartburn and gas pains, coupled with inadequate burping, causing gas to be trapped.
Immaturity of the baby's digestive system with intestinal muscle spasms causing abdominal cramps.
Physiological problems such as insufficient friendly gut flora.
Overfeeding or an overactive breastmilk let-down reflex providing too much milk too quickly.
Anxious or tense infant from stress in the home or a stressed mother.
Mothers diet is too rich in simple carbohydrates and too low in quality protein, or needs nutritional supplements.
Food Intolerances including: Wheat, yeast, sugar, chocolate, coffee, tea, eggs, peanuts, dairy products. Some fruits particularly citris. Many vegetables including onion, cabbage and garlic.

Symptoms of Colic

Starts between 1 and 4 weeks of age.
Prolonged crying, irritability, restlessness and writhing movements.
Baby wails when laid down but fine when upright
Loud, intense, continuous, shrill, high pitched shrieks for prolonged periods of the day or night.
Attacks usually occur around the same time each day.
Baby draws its knees well up to the stomach, taut tummy - hard and swollen, flailing arms and/or clenched fists.

Possible remedies for colic in babies

Effective burping techniques are most important. Learning how to bring up wind is the key to a calm baby. You can learn these techniques in Sharlene Pooles Baby Whispering DVD. This DVD is invaluable.
Feed your baby in a calm, relaxed atmosphere away from stimulation environments and bright lights.
Warmth is very soothing - feed your baby in the bath together. It is both relaxing and a wonderful skin to skin bonding experience. Use a couple of drops of Quintessence Relaxing Blend to calm the senses.
Massage is soothing, rub the tummy clockwise, rub the back anti-clockwise, do bicycling motions with baby's legs, give a foot massage. Use Quintessence Baby Massage Oil.
Use Quintessence Colic Drops to ease the spasm and distress associated with colic.
Herbs such as aniseed, chamomile and fennel are beneficial for easing the symptoms of colic and can be made into a tea from the dried herb and given directly to the baby.
Use a high quality Acidophilus probiotic supplement such as Childlife to replace the good bacteria in the gut.
Breastfeeding mothers to take EFA Essentials, or give a formula fed baby a teaspoon of Childlife EFA daily.
Breastfeeding mums to use Galactogogue tea which contains herbs such as Fennel and Licorice which help to reduce symptoms of wind in babies.