Natural Baby Colic Remedies

Having a colicky baby is every new parent’s nightmare. Baby colic is defined as a baby who cries for no apparent reason, even though the baby feeds and is otherwise healthy, for three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks. Among doctors, this is known as the “rule of three.”

There are a few different suspected causes for baby colic, many having to do with the baby’s digestive system. Some experts feel that colic is usually caused by gas, by an immature digestive system, by the baby swallowing air or by trace substances passed through the mother’s digestive system and into the breastmilk.

How can you remedy baby colic? Here are a few tried and true natural methods.

Colic Calm Gripe Water

This is a popular product on the market. It’s completely homeopathic, meaning it doesn’t contain any unnatural chemicals. Its primary ingredients are baking soda and essential oils. Mothers who’ve used grip water have found its success rate to be quite high.

Gripe water can relieve your baby’s discomfort in just a few minutes after ingestion. Keep in mind that it should only be used when necessary, as baking soda can upset your baby’s stomach’s acidity balance.

Baby Massage

Get a book or two on baby massage. Giving your baby’s tummy a nice, relaxing massage can really help calm your baby down. Also try giving your baby a warm hot water bottle to hold. Put hot water inside the bottle, wrap it in soft blankets and let your baby hold it against its stomach.  Take care that the bottle feels warm, not hot, to the skin. ** This should always, always be done with adult supervision.**

Babywearing
Babies who are “worn” against the adult caregiver cry less. For some, the constant motion, upright position and closeness are enough to “cure” the colic. Read more about babywearing here. The best tool for babywearing in terms of helping a colicky baby is a soft cloth carrier such as the Sleepy Wrap.

Allergies

If your baby is breastfeeding, try cutting dairy from your diet. Your baby could be intolerant to cow’s milk or other forms of dairy products. Trace amounts could be making their way to your baby through your body. While it’s generally not recommended for a breastfeeding mother to restrict her diet unnecessarily, (read: the best diet for breastfeeding mothers), allergy to cow’s milk is probably the most common allergy among babies.

Breastmilk v Formulas

If your baby is using a baby formula, consider switching to just breastmilk, which is far easier to digest. Keep a supply of pumped breast milk on hand for when you must be away from baby. If pumping isn’t working out for you and you must use formula, try switching brands. Ask your baby’s Doctor about this. Some babies are sensitive to certain formulas but will do fine on another.

White Noise

Try a white noise CD or machine. A white noise CD is basically a recording that sounds like what your baby heard while it was in the womb. This may help calm your baby down. White noise machines or CDs can be purchased online, or at a baby store.

Any one of these natural  techniques may cure your baby’s colic. It’s also possible that none of them will work and you’ll just have to wait it out. Start by trying babywearing; then if that doesn’t work, experiment with some of the other techniques.

Placing your new babies skin-to-skin, with their belly on your chest has a lot of benefits to it. If possible, skin-to-skin contact should occur immediately after birth. It’s what the newborn babies want and need. The baby should be dressed only in a diaper and possibly even a hat if it’s chilly for him or her. The mother should have her chest bare and place the baby on top. A blanket can be used on top of the baby to keep them warm, if need be.

When babies are placed in this position immediately after being born and medicines were not used in labor, then mother nature will take its course and the baby will actually crawl to the mother’s breast after a while in order feed. Studies have even showed that babies who receive a lot of skin-to-skin contact are more likely to have successful breastfeeding relationships than those who do not get a lot of skin-to-skin contact.

The temperature of a mother’s chest will adjust to the baby’s needs. It has also been shown to have positive benefits on the baby’s blood sugars. It helps the newborns adjust to their new surrounding and remain more calm. The bonding benefits are also enormous as the baby feels secure. Even fathers, partners and other close family members and friends can get in on the skin-to-skin action too. When mother is taking a nap or perhaps recovering after a C-section, another person can take over for that period of time. This way the baby still feels the warmth of another human being, hears the steady heartbeat and can remain calm.

Skin-to-skin contact isn’t only for the moments after giving birth. This can take place every day, several times a day in fact, for months to come. Parents will be more tuned into their baby’s needs if they are in close contact throughout the day. The baby is also more likely to readily express when they are hungry and need to nurse. This way their needs are met right away, leaving baby feeling happy, nourished and loved. What baby wouldn’t want to snuggle up next to mom or dad and take a cozy nap on someone who loves them?

The birth of a new baby is a joyous occasion for many. However, it can also be stressful and a difficult transition as well. Some may experience baby blues for a few days or weeks, while others may experience postpartum depression.

What’s the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression?

Due to sleep deprivation and hormonal changes in the body many new mothers experience baby blues. Baby blues consists of feelings of sadness, accompanied by episodes of crying and sometimes anxiety. Baby blues can last for a couple weeks following the birth of a new baby. It’s important for a new mother who exhibits signs of the baby blues to talk about her feelings with someone. This way she can express her feelings and possibly receive help with the baby as well. These feelings are extremely common, and will typically go away after a couple of weeks.
However, for some women, the feelings of sadness and anxiety can turn into postpartum depression. The onset of postpartum depression can occur anytime during the first year after giving birth. This is usually coupled with feelings of unworthiness, helplessness and sometimes even anger. Postpartum depression lasts longer than the baby blues and the feelings are much more intense.

Mothers who experience such feelings should speak with a doctor, natural health practitioner or lactation specialist  to see what can be done to help with her symptoms. Some may prescribe medicines, some of which are compatible with breastfeeding. However, it’s important to let the doctor know if she is breastfeeding so that they are able to give her a drug that is safe for mother’s milk.

Not all mothers with postpartum depression choose drugs to combat their sadness. Exercise, a healthy diet and receiving support from others can have a positive effect on how the mother feels and interacts with her baby. Talking with a therapist can help her to express her feelings and find healthy ways to cope with the sadness. If at any time a mother feels like she is a danger or harm to herself or the baby, she should seek help immediately. There are plenty of resources and help available for those who suffer from postpartum depression and they should not have to combat their depression alone.

More info and resources on depression and breastfeeding:

The challenges of being a new mom

Breastfeeding helps prevent depression

Interview with breastfeeding and postpartum depression expert Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual event that occurs the first week of August. The theme for the 2011 WBW is “Talk to me! Breastfeeding- a 3D experience”. The focus is on communication, whether that be face to face or through other means of communication such as the internet, social media and mobile phones. It also aims at reaching new audiences such as the fathers and teen parents. Around the world people are organizing events for WBW that celebrate breastfeeding mothers and spread the word about the benefits of breastfeeding.

To find out what kind of WBW events are occurring in your local area, check out the official WBW website to see what’s going on. http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/ It is also a good resource to get you started on creating your own WBW event. There are free resources to download and use at your event.

A common even includes a celebration containing snacks, games and prizes. However, if you plan on doing this, be sure to start planning as soon as possible to get everything organized in time. You can then post your even on the WBW page.

Another large event taking place during WBW is the “Big Latch-On” which is a part of the La Leche League. You do not have to be part of the LLL itself in order to participate, however. What it entails is groups of breastfeeding mothers coming together and nursing their babies all at one given moment. The goal is to break the record for the most synchronized nursing mothers at one time in the United States. You can then enter your group’s record on their website to be counted in the figures. http://www.lllusa.org/wbw/

Be creative and think of something fun you can do with other nursing mothers in your area. If budget is a problem, you can simply have a picnic in the park or organize a play date in someone’s backyard. Invite others who can benefit from the celebration, including pregnant mothers who are undecided about how to feed their baby. Make it an all ages event and be sure to invite the fathers as well.

Most baby showers tend to not be very breastfeeding friendly. The games, decorations and even the presents seem to celebrate bottle feeding and formula use. The pregnant mother who is intent on breastfeeding is not supported in the way she deserves to be at a typical baby shower. With a few simple changes, however, a baby shower can be transformed into one that celebrates the act of breastfeeding and honors the natural, special bond between mother and baby.

photo credit: Pictures from Heather
When registering for items on a baby shower registry, be sure to think about what items will support you as a breastfeeding mother. Some of these items may include a nursing stool, nursing pillow, nursing pads, nursing bras, nursing clothing, nursing cover up, nipple cream, a soft cloth baby sling and breastfeeding tea.

While none of these items are totally necessary for a breastfeeding experience, they can come in handy, especially if you have loved ones who wish to purchase something for you that you will enjoy. If you choose to express your breast milk, consider adding a breast pump to the registry as well as storage bags and bottles that are designed for the breastfed baby with a slower flow and wider nipple.

As the host of the baby shower there are several things you can do to improve the breastfeeding friendliness of the event. You can avoid images of bottles on the invitations and decorations and instead focus on images such as teddy bears, rattles, rubber duckies and other baby items. When creating the games, such as a word search, you can leave out words like bottle and formula and instead include nursing or breastfeeding. You can even play a game about breastfeeding myths and facts. It can also bring awareness to breastfeeding to others in the room.
It’s likely that there will be other mothers with young babies attending the party. It’s a great idea to set up a breastfeeding room or station for those who feel uncomfortable nursing or pumping in front of others. A guest bedroom with a rocking chair and stool are nice. You can also let guests know in the invitation that this will be available as well as let them know the guest of honor will be breastfeeding and if possible, to bring gifts that honor this decision. Most of all, just have fun!

Armed with the right information, a father can be the biggest support in a new mother’s world, especially when it comes to breastfeeding.

photo credit: edenpictures

Some new fathers may not understand the importance of breastfeeding or are embarrassed to know more about it, but other men are very knowledgeable about breastfeeding and encourage their partners to nurse their babies.

A father may also feel unsure about how breastfeeding will affect his relationship with his partner. However, having the father’s support plays a major role in the success of breastfeeding for the mother and child. A pregnant woman is wise to involve her partner in the decision to breastfeed early on. This can help him become more accustomed to the idea and learn how to be a great support to his partner. Taking a breastfeeding class together during pregnancy is a great idea.

During pregnancy, the mother and father should sit down and discuss what it means to breastfeed and discuss issues that may be weighing one their minds. This might include sexual intimacy, bonding with the baby and how to be supportive during the breastfeeding journey. It is helpful to have a third party there that is knowledgeable about breastfeeding to answer any questions, such as a midwife or breastfeeding counselor. Personal issues can be discussed privately at a separate time, if need be.

It’s important for the father to know he can still bond with both the baby and the mother in beautiful, loving ways. Even though he isn’t the primary person involved with feeding the young infant, he can bond in many other ways.  Infant massage, skin-to-skin contact, bathtime, and reading to baby are excellent ways for dad to bond with the baby.

Parents who want to keep their relationship as a priority can still be intimate, however it’s a good idea to wait until mom is healed from childbirth and is able to get sufficient rest. This time varies from woman to woman. Good communication is the key. If a new mom is feeling exhausted, hormonal and “touched” out from caring for baby all day, she may need more time to get into the mood. It’s a good idea for her to explain to her husband that she isn’t rejecting HIM. Moms should remember that their husbands are also going through a vulnerable time emotionally after the birth of a new baby.

Some moms express their milk and hire a babysitter for a couple hours for the parents to get some alone time, but others find that they are uncomfortable doing so. A couple can find creative ways to still be loving and intimate with one another without leaving baby behind. One couple lit several candles on their dresser, placed baby in the carrier on the floor and let him coo and talk to the flickering lights while they enjoyed a romantic interlude!

The best thing dad can do is tell the mom how much he appreciates the gift she is giving their child through the act of  breastfeeding and not push her to feed the baby formula or bottles. He can take her water when she sits down to nurse, make her a cup of nursing tea or adjust her nursing pillow. These little touches can go a long way towards endearing a man to a woman. Just having the father by her side can make her feel loved and appreciated and most of all, supported.

Another way a father can support a breastfeeding mother is by running interference with her if others try to assert their opinions or undermine the nursing relationship. A nosy mother in law may have to be reminded that “We appreciate your experience and opinion, however, this is our baby and we have made a decision.” Keep in mind that some people have a problem with a breastfeeding mother simply because they were unable to nurse their own babies. Being compassionate is always a good idea, but a couple have to defend their boundaries from time to time also.

A poll by a recently launched website aimed at helping women identify the best time to conceive or avoid pregnancy naturally, has revealed the opinions and attitudes that mothers across America have towards breastfeeding.

A recently launched website aimed at helping women identify the best time to conceive or avoid pregnancy naturally, has conducted research into the attitudes women have towards breastfeeding and why they did or didn’t use the age-old method to feed their child.

The poll, by www.FertilityFlower.com, asked 3,102 mothers across America if they breastfed their children and the reasons behind their decision.

According to the research, the majority of those asked, 71%, breastfed their children and a further 8% ‘attempted’ to breastfeed and ‘gave-up’ after finding it too difficult.

Of those who breastfed their baby, more than 1 in 5, 21% admitted to doing so to ‘help’ them lose the weight that they gained during pregnancy and a further 16% breastfed because it was ‘cheaper’ than buying formula milk.

More than two thirds, 68%, of those who breastfed their baby said it was so that they could ‘bond’ with their child.

4% of those that breastfed their baby admitted to doing so because they felt ‘pressured’ to do so by either a partner, family member or their midwife.

The research found that 16% of the respondents didn’t breastfeed their baby or even attempt to for the first feed. 31% of which cited it was because they were concerned about the affect it could have on their breasts and a further 7% said it was for fear of it being painful.

29%, of those that breastfed admitted to feeling ‘embarrassed’ at times and 15% of those that didn’t breastfeed said one of the elements for their decisions was the embarrassment they would feel breastfeeding in public places.

Kimberly Ann Racic, founder of FertilityFlower.com, commented on the research;

“Breast milk is the perfect food for babies. Therefore the decision to breastfeed or not shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, I don’t think anyone should be shamed into breastfeeding when they don’t want to. Good news for women who would like to continue breastfeeding but are anxious about doing so in public, there are covers that can be bought or made that allow for complete discretion. ”

She continued,

“If mothers are feeling unsure as to what is best for them and are struggling to reach a decision, I would suggest that they do some research online and talk to other mothers candidly about their fears. They are likely to get a realistic picture of what breastfeeding is like. After that, they’ll be able to make the decision to breastfeed or not based on real information rather than perception. ”

LINK http://www.FertilityFlower.com

A new study from The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry finds that mothers who feed their babies breast milk exclusively, as opposed to formula, are more likely to bond emotionally with their child during the first few months after delivery. The breastfeeding mothers surveyed for the study showed greater responses to their infant’s cry in brain regions related to caregiving behavior and empathy than mothers who relied upon formula as the baby’s main food source. This is the first paper to examine the underlying neurobiological mechanisms as a function of breastfeeding, and to connect brain activity with maternal behaviors among human mothers.

The fMRI-based findings suggest that breastfeeding and factors associated with breastfeeding, such has high levels of hormones (oxytocin, prolactin), stress, and culture may all play an important role for mothers’ brain activity and parenting behaviours during the early postpartum period. The research shows that up to three or four months after delivery some of the brain regions originally observed at one month postpartum (amygdala, putamen, globus pallidus, and superior frontal gyrus) continued to activate and were correlated with maternal, sensitive behavior among the same group of mothers.

The findings highlight the dramatic relationship between breastfeeding, brain activity and parenting behaviours during the early postpartum period. Lead researcher Dr. Pilyoung Kim, “It is important for loved ones to support mothers and help them cope with challenges related to breastfeeding and parenting during this period. Mothers unable to breastfeed may benefit from extra encouragement to engage in sensitive, caring interactions with baby.”

Article: “Breastfeeding, Brain Activation to Own Infant Cry, and Maternal Sensitivity.”; Pilyoung Kim, et. al. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry; Published Online: April 18, 2011 (DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.

Exercising after Childbirth

By Ari Brown MD and Michele Hakakha MD
Adapted from their new book, Expecting 411

One of the most common questions we get from women is this one: “After I deliver, when can I start exercising again?” We’ve all see the Kate Hudson types in Hollywood go back to being stick thin just weeks after having a baby. Many of our patients expect to do the same.

We recommend, for women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, that you wait six weeks before getting into a regular exercise routine. C-section deliveries and personal health history are two factors that can change this time equation, however. Occasionally, practitioners might give the green light a little earlier, so check with your healthcare provider before you start doing any kind of exercise after delivery.

Women can gradually resume exercising when they feel ready. Some women who have had uneventful vaginal deliveries with little perineal trauma feel well enough to take a light, brief walk a week or so after delivery. But if you have a third- or fourth-degree laceration, you may need to hold off exercising for up to eight weeks.

Once your practitioner gives her official blessing, you can resume all prepregnancy activities and exercise regimens. But remember, START SLOW. Begin with walking, yoga, mild hiking, and swimming. You can’t expect to jump back into the 60-minute weight and cardio routine that you were doing prior to getting pregnant. Remember that all of your joints and ligaments can be loose for up to five months after delivery.

And let’s talk about those abdominal muscles. Most women develop some degree of a gap between their abdominal muscles as their pregnancy progressed. That gap (called diastasis recti) takes about two months to close. In some women, it never closes and there’s always a gap. It’s important to let your body heal and close the muscle separation prior to beginning any intense abdominal workouts. Start easy and save the heavy-duty crunches for eight to ten weeks after delivery.

Once you do start exercising again, here are some tips:

Stretch for five to ten minutes before and after exercising.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Keep well hydrated with water or a sports drink.
Wear a comfortable and supportive bra.
Clear your mind of all the other things going on.
This is your time to relax, think, and meditate; give yourself this gift.
Getting back in shape takes time, so don’t rush it.

A final word from Dr. Michele. She had a patient who was determined to get back on her treadmill after a C-section. “I told her that after her six-week postpartum visit, we would decide when she could go back to exercising. But she didn’t heed this advice.” The patient decided that she felt great at two and a half weeks. When she returned to Dr. Michele’s office, her previously closed surgical incision was now gaping open. She had to wait another month to have the wound surgically repaired!

So moms–really do ease back into exercise. You have plenty of time to work off that belly. And don’t worry too much, because when your baby becomes a toddler, he or she will keep you plenty active!

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Dr. Michele Hakakha is an award-winning obstetrician/gynecologist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Austin, TX, an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and health advisor for WebMD, Parents Magazine, and ABC News. She penned the best-selling Baby 411 and Toddler 411 book series before coauthoring Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy (Windsor Peak Press, 2010, www.expecting411.com).

7 Old Wives’ Tales about Pregnancy

By Dr. Michele Hakakha and Dr. Ari Brown
Adapted from their new book, Expecting 411

About 6 million US women will get pregnant this year. Women used to get their pregnancy information from other women–the “old wives” of old wives’ tales fame. Today, however, the most common source of information for pregnant women is their obstetrician. But 3 out of 4 will also look for health answers online, and that’s where the problem starts. According to womenshealth.gov, the accuracy of pregnancy information on the internet varies widely.

Virtually everything about pregnancy has changed since our mother’s time–nutrition and exercise recommendations, pre-term screening tests, and what goes on in the delivery room, for example. What hasn’t changed is that old wives’ tales still abound!

Here are seven untruths we hear all the time from mothers-to-be.

You can tell whether it’s a boy or girl by how you are carrying.
False. The way you “carry” (the shape and distribution of your baby bump) is based on a few things, such as the depth of a mom’s pelvic cradle or the mom’s weight, but it won’t predict your baby’s gender.

Avoiding peanuts during pregnancy will keep my child from developing a food allergy.
False. A recent definitive study in the New England Journal of Medicine put this myth to rest once and for all. It’s okay to eat known allergens while you’re pregnant.

Pregnant women shouldn’t fly because of radiation risk.
False. The amount of cosmic radiation is negligible and not a health concern.

Fatty acid supplements like DHA increase your risk of bleeding during pregnancy.
False. There is no valid evidence to support this theory. You can take DHA supplements all the way up to delivery.

Women who are flat-chested can’t nurse.
False. While there are some women who do not make enough milk to exclusively nurse their babies, it’s not because they have small breasts.

A miscarriage can be caused by exercise or carrying around a toddler.
False. You can’t have a miscarriage from carrying a toddler or any other heavy object. And you can’t have a miscarriage from exercising during the first trimester, either. Miscarriages happen commonly and are often due to genetic reasons where the chromosomes are abnormal.

Epidurals cause autism.
False. Neither do cell phones, high fructose corn syrup, or vaccines.

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Dr. Michele Hakakha is an award-winning obstetrician/gynecologist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Austin, TX, an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and health advisor for WebMD, Parents Magazine, and ABC News. She penned the best-selling Baby 411 and Toddler 411 book series before coauthoring Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy (Windsor Peak Press, 2010, www.expecting411.com).