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In a recent study found in Pediatrics, it was discovered that a probiotic called Lactobacillus reuteri may help to ease the symptoms of colic in infants. The peer had ninety breastfed infants of the same gestational age participate. Eighty three of these infants completed the perceive according to the requirements (ie their parents kept a diary, infants were not on antibiotics during the contemplate, etc). In order to develop a control for the study, all the babies were exclusively breastfed. The mother of the infant was to sustain a food diary to prove that she had avoided dairy during the course of the study. The infants were of similar age, similar birth weights, and had symptoms of colic, crying at least 3 hours a day for at least 3 days a week. These infants had all shown the first signs of colic 5-7 days before the peruse started. The witness was conceived when another researcher found that colicky infants consistently had a lower amount of beneficial probiotic intestinal flora. An experiment was performed to witness if supplementing with probiotics would ease the symptoms of colic.

In the study, forty-one of the infants, randomly selected, had received 5 drops of an oil suspension probiotic containing 100 million colony of Lactobacillus reuteri 30 minutes after a feeding, once daily for 28 days. At the start of this spy, the infants in this probiotic group were crying on average 197 minutes per day with a range of 80-276 minutes/day. Forty-two of the infants, randomly selected, received simethicone, an anti-gas medication found in Mylicon. They were given 15 drops, twice a day after feeding. At the start of the study, the infants in the simethicone group were crying on average 197 minutes per day with a range of 80-278 minutes/day. Parents were asked to record the length and number of colic episodes during the course of the glimpse. They were also asked to represent number and consistency of bowel movements and any observed adverse effects that may influence the results of the experiment. The infants were reexamined on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 by the same pediatrician. No adverse reactions took place in either group during the course of the experiment.

The study found that after day 7, the infants that were taking the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri were crying on average 159 minutes per day. The infants that were taking the simethicone were crying 177 minutes per day on average after day 7. The results were even better after day 28, with the probiotic group crying only 51 minutes per day, compared to the simethicone group crying 145 minutes per day on average. It was discovered that 95% of the infants taking the probiotic responded favorably to the treatment while only 7% of the infants taking the simethicone responded favorably to the treatment. The dissimilarity in crying time between the two groups after 28 days was 94 minutes a day. Any parents that have dealt with colic first hand can tell you that this is a huge difference.

The researchers have concluded that probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri may be key in easing the symptoms of colic in an infant, and that the lack of this important intestinal flora may be an explanation for colic . The probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri is found to be a safe alternative to many of the current treatments used to treat colic symptoms. BioGaia AB produced the probiotic oil suspension used in this study. BioGaia is available commercially.

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Relief is on the Way

If you have a colicky baby, my thoughts are with you. Really! There is nothing worse than dealing with a baby that has colic. Or having a crying baby that you can’t seem to calm down; add that to sleepless nights, and you have one exhausted parent. And even taking the little one to the doctor may not relieve the constant crying that is often associated with a colicky baby.

Whether your baby has one of the following signs or you’ve dealt with a colicky baby before, finding the right cure is vital to your babies and your future sleep. A baby’s discomfort from colic can rein havoc on a family. Thanks to remedies that have been mom approved, you can regain the perfect colic solution for your baby and your family.

Does your baby have Colic:

The baby cries for long periods of time without being consoled.

The baby shows signs of gas.

The baby shows symptoms of crying occurring at the same time each day. Or is just nonstop throughout the day.

Has constant fussiness, or irritability.

Colic Pain Relief

Although there is no single cause for colic, there are ways to not only help your colicky baby, but find relief for yourself as well. Have no fear; there are ways to succor this pain that the colicky baby endures. You just have to try things until you come by the right remedy for your baby. And when your baby finds relief to the discomfort and pain, the whole family will rest easier.

Different things to try with a Colicky Baby

I am sure all the parents who are indeed dealing with this very baby issue are nodding their heads. No matter what you’ve done, the baby is still crying. Stir until you can’t walk any more. Rock the colicky baby in the rocking chair. Recall a drive all in hopes the colicky baby will finally find some sleep. And yes, I am distinct you’ve even tried sitting on the washer in hopes that the sound would calm the crying baby.

Other possible suggestions to back the colic are a baby swing, instrumental music, and rubbing the baby’s stomach.

Herb for Colic Relief

Peppermint is known to help colicky babies. You can either bag the peppermint at your local health store. Because you can buy the peppermint in drop form, you can place a drop under the babies tongue for instant relief.

Another option is to try Colic Calm Gripe Water, which you can buy online. This is a mom approved remedy that is a completely safe and natural remedy.

Sources:

http://www.coliccalm.com/baby_infant_newborn_articles/baby_colic_treatment.htm

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The Mayo Clinic defines colic as crying in a newborn that lasts more than three hours a day, at least three days per week. Colic among infants isn’t anything new and is quite common. Unfortunately, colic causes discomfort for a baby. This often leaves parents feeling helpless.

When your newborn baby continues to cry day after day, it also takes a toll on you. My second daughter was born crying day and night for the first two and a half months of her life. I remember feeling exhausted and extremely stressed out. I also had a two year archaic at the time and felt like I wasn’t able to give her the attention she deserved because I was always trying to get the baby to stop crying.

There are many different treatments for colic, although there is no cure. Colic usually goes away after the first few months of a newborn’s life, but can last up to the baby’s first birthday. Your pediatrician can give you some excellent suggestions on how to hold your baby to relieve some of the discomfort, and how to make certain your baby is getting the least amount of air through his or her bottle. These will relieve. Another treatment that has been quite effective is the use of gripe water.

There are a few different brands of gripe water on the market, but you should stick with an herbal gripe water. This is because herbal gripe water products do not have side effects, making them the safest choice for your baby. They are not made with alcohol like some other forms of gripe water. Compose clear you read the packaging designate carefully before you choose a gripe water for your baby. You will also want to gain sure the gripe water is approved by the FDA (not all gripe water is).

Read the instructions on the particular gripe water you purchased. Shake the bottle up and then fill the dropper with the designated amount of gripe water. Shoot the gripe water in your baby’s mouth. Try to place it in the baby’s cheek so that the baby doesn’t spit it succor out. If your baby doesn’t like the taste of the gripe water, you can mix it with an ounce of water or diluted juice. Then let your baby drink it straight from a bottle.

Order the employ of the gripe water as instructed in the directions. Some gripe water products are safe to use multiple times throughout the day. The gripe water is fast-acting, so you can expect to see results in as little as five minutes.

Warning:
Do not store the gripe water in the refrigerator. It should be kept at room temperature.

Sources:

“Colic,” Mayo Clinic.

“Best Remedy for Colic Newborns,” Gripe Water Guide.

“Gripe Water,” Colic-Baby-Bootcamp.com

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In my article Emotional Needs of You and Your Newborn, I covered mostly the emotional needs of both baby and yourself. I was amazed upon speaking to Mom’s to be how many things that were of the unknown to them. I would like to screen at least the basics.

Physical Needs If You Are Breastfeeding

One of the most important physical needs of the modern Mom if she is breastfeeding a proper, well balanced diet. A lot of Moms when they come home are anxious to find to their “pre baby” body. Don’t hurry this, the weight will come off. It used to be said that the breast feeding Mom needed to recall in five hundred extra calories a day. Experts have now come to the conclusion this is not the same for everyone. Women have varying weights and activity levels so this means varying caloric needs. As long as Mom eats well balanced healthy meals she should meet the caloric needs she has to keep up with the physical changes within her body. If you are breastfeeding, you need to contemplate of everything you put into your body, as it will then be passed on to your baby through your milk. Abstain from alcohol and smoking and cut back on caffeine if you are breastfeeding. Remember, what you eat, they eat. Besides the obvious, and staying away from alcohol, medicine, and smoking, you also need to keep in mind what may make the baby gassy. A baby with gas pains definitely will not be ecstatic, and in turn will make youunhappy and more friendly to exhaustion.

Foods that could beget your baby gassy if you are breast feeding:
Turnips
brussel sprouts
garlic
cabbage
onion
pepper
broccoli
cucumbers

If You Are Bottle Feeding

Back when I had my kids, we boiled everything. The bottles, nipples, the water before we added it to the formula all for sterilization. This no longer holds true, and for a gracious reason. Researchers have found that boiling bottles, or adding boiling water to bottles makes a chemical within the plastic bottles leach out. This chemical is called BPA, or Bisphenol A. After studies done at Harvard, it was found that the chemical leaches out and shows up in the urine even after normal use with no boiling, but that when boiling liquids went into these bottles, as much as sixty nine percent more of the chemical leached out. Because of these studies, researchers are now looking to replace this chemical found in plastic bottles. So remember, a good old-fashioned fashioned hand washing of these bottles will do for now.

The Healing Process

Your doctor probably told you to give your body six weeks to recover. Besides that, they usually don’t go into too much. The hormones that sustained your baby during pregnancy will now win a real nose dive. The hormones drop ninety percent in two days. This may cause some weepiness, but not too noteworthy, and they even out stunning nicely after that initial two days. If you delivered vaginally, you will be quite sore, but there are steps to take that will help. If there was an episiotomy, you must acquire special care to avoid infection where the stitches are. Keep a squirt bottle in your bathroom, and squirt yourself clean after every bathroom use. Besides cutting down infection rates, this also soothes the area. Keep a jar of Tucks Wipes to the bottle. These wipes kind of look like acne pads, and are so soothing and useful. Use these to gently wipe the area down, and you can even keep a couple in your panty liner this will greatly reduce the swelling you experience after birth.

Sex After Baby is Born

The typical amount of time your doctor will issue you to wait is four to six weeks. There is a very good reason for waiting. Your body just underwent some major trauma and needs to recover. The lining of the uterus is particularly susceptible to infection right now. Not only should sex be avoided because of this, but also the use of tampons and douching, anything at all that would enter the vagina can cause a major infection. Another thing to watch for is you may have lacerations, and or tears inside which bacteria can enter through also. Depending on what measure of birth control is decided you may have to wait because of that also. Many women hold they cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding. If you use this method, it only works if you exclusively nurse. No supplemental formula bottles, and no pacifiers, nursing exclusively. The baby needs to eat every four hours or less in order for this method to work.

Rest

It sounds impossible, but earn as much rest as possible following delivery. Your body uses your resting time as its healing time. Ask your partner to take care of the baby while you take a much needed nap. Again, don’t fret over housework, it will still be there when you’re feeling better, no sense in pushing now.

Nutrition

Eat many small meals instead of three large ones. Make these meals count by including fruits and vegetables. Continue using your prenatal vitamins. When your body has the proper nutrients it will heal much faster. Don’t forget to stay well hydrated, drink plenty of water during the day, and don’t forget calcium enriched foods and drinks. If you take care of yourself postpartum, you will heal faster and be ready to indulge in the fantastic baby you brought into this world.

With proper care, and by listening to your own body’s cues, physical recovery of giving birth will happen pretty quickly. Remember, by feeling physically better, your emotions and overall happiness will come about without too much time passing. Remember, caring for yourself is caring for your baby.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_breast-milk-interactions-chart_8788.bc
http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/recovery-after-childbirth
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130092108.htm

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As with many mothers, I was shocked when I learned in the delivery room that my baby had a cleft lip. I can level-headed remember it vividly. The doctors were reassuring me that everything would be fine, but that my son did have a cleft lip. As they handed the bright pink screaming baby boy to me, my baby boy, I didn’t care. He was healthy. He was mine. And he was here! I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I promised my baby that we would get through it together. But I wasn’t prepared for the feeding difficulties that would accompany his cute little crooked face as my husband calls it.

I had always planned to breastfeed my son, but now I wasn’t sure. While in the hospital we had to bottle feed him, because he refused to nurse (my milk hadn’t come in yet). It was a trying time. He took in so much air when he ate. My son has an incomplete left cleft lip, so as I cradled him in my left arm, I held the bottle with my right hand and was able to wrap my pinky finger around the nipple and cover the gap in his lip. This helped to reduce the air dramatically, but he was still very gassy and fussy because of the large amounts of air that filled his stomach. He burped often six times or more during each feeding, and the air still filled his tummy. He wasn’t able to eat enough because of it. He would procure hungry very frequently, but only be able to eat small portions.

When we got home from the hospital, I began feeding him with the Avent Newborn bottle. The nipple is very large and was able to mostly fill in the gap in his lip. Once my milk came in a few days later, I began nursing him. The Avent bottle no longer worked for him because the effort of getting the milk from the bottle became too much for him and he would tire quickly into each feeding and descend asleep. I nursed him exclusively for two months. It was wonderful. My son grew well and took in very little air when he ate because my breast made up for the gap in his lip. At first, it was difficult for him to get a secure latch and he would become impatient. The lactation and speech therapy departments at the hospital where I delivered worked with me to help him to latch correctly. I had to alternate the holds I used while nursing him based upon his mood. The football and mature cradle hold worked the best.

But as my son turned two months old, he began eating more milk than I could effect. It was very frustrating for the both of us. I began the trial of supplementing with formula, but the inconsistency was too much for him to handle. He would sometimes want to nurse and then others would want the bottle. I struggled with the decision, but finally decided with my husbands back that bottle feeding would be best. I tried the highly recommended VentAire bottles by Playtex, but the nipple was too hard and small. My son became gassy and fussy again due to the tremendous quantities of air he too in. I switched again to another system, one I remembered my mom using with my youngest sister who was also sensitive to air. The Playtex Drop-In system has done wonders for my son. From the minute he began using them, I could hear that no air went in as he sucked on the bottle. The nipples are large and soft, very similar to breastfeeding, and this combined with the drop-in bags that shrink as the baby drinks, no air gets in his tummy.

Unfortunately, he unexcited was fussy after mealtimes and spit up frequently. He was on the Similac Advance Infant formula that the hospital recommended. I switched him to the Similac Sensitive Formula, and the problem was solved once his body had time to adjust to the change in formula. After a month of strictly bottle feeding, he is now eating homemade baby food that I prepare for him. Teaching a cleft baby to eat from a spoon was no easy feat. It was and is still very messy. But it was worth it. I bought the rubber coated infant spoons and started him on fruits and rice cereal. Patience is the key to spoon feeding. I began slowly introducing foods, only about a tablespoon at a time. He loves the sweet taste of fruit, but he still has a strong need to suck. At first I would spoon a little food in his mouth and he would gulp it down like milk. After about a week of that, he learned to spend his tongue to move the food in his mouth and he now swallows normally. However it is still very messy. The food always moves through the gap in his lip and up into his left nostril as he eats. I have not found a way to prevent this. I simply clean his nose out with a q-tip after every other feeding. And like all babies, food drips down his chin to his clothes. A healthy supply of bibs will save you from having to change baby’s outfit after every feeding. Once he finishes his now 1/2 cup of baby food, he drinks about 4.5 oz of formula.

It is unbelievable how far we have come to have our happy, healthy baby. I no longer dread feeding times and the subsequent fussiness and gassiness that frail to occur. Now, my son is very content after each feeding and is gaining weight rapidly. At three and a half months, he is almost double his birth weight of 7.3 lbs and has outgrown much of his wardrobe. I strongly recommend the Playtex Drop-In bottles and introducing baby food to your child at the appropriate time. I hope my experience helps you have a happy feeding experience with your cleft baby.