ComputerHunter.org

 

Coping With Colic


A new baby with colic is one of the most difficult problems a new parent has to cope with. Most new parents are under pressure trying to deal with a new routine and lack of sleep, the added burden of a crying infant you seem powerless to help can be overwhelming. The only comfort that can be offered is, with 1 in 5 babies developing colic, many other parents are suffering too and that by the time the baby is four months old the problem normally disappears.

The normal symptoms of colic are continuous loud crying, flexing and extending the legs, clenching fists and often a distended tummy. Very often this occurs in the late afternoon or early evening, although it can happen at any time.

So what is colic and is there a remedy for it? There are many possible causes, but initially the most important thing that a parent must do is establish that the child is actually suffering from colic and there is not another reason for the crying. Colic, however distressed the baby seems, is not life threatening, but it is essential not to assume a crying baby has colic, check with your doctor immediately.

Once colic has been diagnosed you should try to identify the cause. If you are breastfeeding avoid foods that are likely to cause gas. Make a note of what you are eating, baby may be intolerant to something in your diet, including dairy products. If the baby is bottle fed your doctor may suggest a change of formula. Don't overfeed the baby, we all know that bloated feeling when we have overeaten, so why shouldn't baby feel the same. Try hard not to get stressed, I know this isn't easy but many experts believe that babies are sensitive to stress around them and react. It's a catch 22 situation, the more crying the greater the stress. Try to take turns in dealing with the crying baby, even rope in grandparents or a close friend so that you can walk away for 30minutes.

A continuous soothing sound such as a washing machine or tumbledryer often works. There are CD's available that can help and I found that a tape of sea waves worked well, particularly when gently rocking the child.

Seek your doctor's advice on medicines, he may recommend some colic relief. If colic has been diagnosed but there is any change in the baby's behaviour, go straight back to your doctor, it's better to err on the safe side.

Finally remember that it will pass, in a few months that screaming bundle will be toddling about getting into more mischief than you can possibly imagine!

This article is for information only. You should always consult your doctor before commencing any treatment and no liability is accepted.

Margaret Tye runs the FromTots2Teens website that offers information on supplies for children of all ages as well as advice on health and other child and teenage related problems.

You are welcome to use this article as long as it is not altered and credit is given to the author, with a link back to this site. http://www.fromtots2teens.com. Please pay the site a visit for articles on other childhood health issues.







Google News - Top Stories

China Daily

Stocks turn lower as profit-taking sets in
Houston Chronicle - 1 hour ago
By TIM PARADIS AP Business Writer © 2008 AP NEW YORK - Wall Street turned lower Tuesday as investors were pleased with the government's plans to spend $250 billion to buy stock in private banks but still collected profits from the previous day's ...
Stocks pull back as profit-taking sets in The Associated Press
Stocks rebound; credit still tight The Hour (subscription)
Seeking Alpha - InsideARM - New York Times - BusinessWeek
all 4,585 news articles


New York Times

How to Rescue the Banks
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By CHARLES SCHUMER Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's decision to make direct capital injections into American financial institutions comes as welcome news.
TOPWRAP 13-In new era, US to take $250 bln bank stakes guardian.co.uk
US pulls the trigger CNNMoney.com
Los Angeles Times - MarketWatch - International Herald Tribune - The Associated Press
all 1,629 news articles


AFP

McCain pushes capital gains cut
Bizjournals.com - 1 hour ago
US Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wants to slice the capital gains tax in half for the next two years to encourage investments and help unclog frozen credit streams.
McCain has some fast explaining to do Chicago Sun-Times
McCain Offers Economic Plan Washington Post
ABC News - Barron's - The Associated Press - AFP
all 623 news articles


ABC News

Murder charge issued in missing girl case
MSNBC - 53 minutes ago
Oct. 14: A Texas probation officer has been suspending pending an investigation into how pornographic images of her made their way onto the Internet.
Video: Grandfather of Missing Tot Testifies in Court AssociatedPress
Grand Jury Returns Indictment For Capital Crime In Casey Anthony Case Local6.com
ABC News - WFLA - Bay News 9 - United Press International
all 351 news articles


AFP

McCain's False Claims On Bill Ayers
CBS News - 1 hour ago
(CBS) A recent web advertisement from Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain makes two false claims about a connection between Bill Ayers and Senator Barack Obama.
Bill Ayers is back - just in time for the debate Christian Science Monitor
Biden Calls McCain’s Ayers Attacks Disappointing FOXNews
guardian.co.uk - WMTW - Atlanta Journal Constitution - Boston Globe
all 445 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base