Tips on How to Ease Colic
There is no single known cause for colic; instead there are many speculated causes including gas, constipation and structural weaknesses in the stomach. Treatment within mainstream medicine includes drug therapy or simply waiting for your baby to outgrow this condition.
From a chiropractor’s perspective, however, many of the symptoms of colic are due to nerve dysfunction, which results in poor communication between the brain and the digestive organs.
1. Have your baby assessed by a chiropractor who is confident working with infants.
The healthy functioning of your baby’s spine and nervous system will play an integral role in the overall health of your child. Chiropractic adjustments correct nerve dysfunction and are an extremely safe and effective treatment. If you intuitively feel that something is not right with your baby, have them assessed by a chiropractic doctor. Healthy babies, free of nerve irritation, are happier babies.
2. If you are breastfeeding, seek advice on correct techniques.
- Learning to breastfeed can be challenging for both mother and baby especially if a newborn has had some form of injury to the jaw or skull from the birth process. Sometimes newborns are unable to suckle properly because they are in pain; they may gulp and swallow unnecessary air in the process.
- Chiropractic adjustments safely and effectively address dysfunction and help restore natural, efficient suckling pattern.
3. Allow time to burp your baby.
To assist burping: sit your baby on your lap, place your hand across their chest and lift them up slightly; this lightens the pressure on their stomach and encourages them to burp.
- When bottle feeding, try to burp them after every ounce of milk.
- If breastfeeding, attempt to burp whenever they come off the breast as this is often a sign that they have wind.
4. If breastfeeding, cut out all ‘typically troublesome foods’ including milk.
It is imperative—for a period of time at least—to steer away from foods known to cause irritation including:
- Wine
- Champagne
- Pop
- Coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks
- Chocolate
- Acidic fruits such as oranges and berries
- Spicy foods
- Lentils, split peas, beans
- Garlic
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Milk
5. Give your newborn high quality probiotics.
Probiotics are extremely important for both breastfed and formula-fed babies. Probiotics are living organisms which strengthen the integrity of the bowel and stimulate the immune system. The anti-inflammatory effects on the bowel are particularly beneficial for colicky babies.
Guest blog post by Dr. Jeanette Amato of Core Chiropractic Center. For more information join our Modern Baby Series where Dr. Jeanette will be speaking!
Or you can contact Dr. Jeanette Amato at Core Chiropractic Center at 780-458-1012 or at jeanetteamato@hotmail.com.
The pediatrics in plano gives some great advices on how to ease a colicky baby. I think this post also gave the same great ones. Many mothers have a hard time soothing a colicky baby. This’ll help them big time.