Why Won't My Baby Stop Crying?

Troubleshooting Colic

Colic:
-       A catchall term referring to when a baby is fussy, uncomfortable, or distressed even though they are dry, warm, well fed, and comforted.

Colic may be caused by any number of things, and some babies seem to be more prone to colic than others. One of the more common theories is that the digestive process is upset or not occurring properly in some way. Remember that your baby is growing and changing quite a bit every day and their digestive tract is really no different. The following are some suggestions for preventing colic, but keep in mind there is no foolproof method and most babies do outgrow it naturally by 4 months.

-       Avoid eating members of the cabbage family (broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards) turnips, garlic, onions, spicy foods, fried foods, peanuts, caffeine, dairy foods, eggs, beans, and wheat.

-       Exercise baby’s legs by ‘bicycling’ their legs up to baby’s abdomen. Press the legs up to the belly (both, then individually), then extend them back out and down. Perform each motion 5 times slowly and smoothly.

-       Nursing in a quiet environment with minimal distractions to help prevent indigestion

-       Various herbs and teas can also be helpful with colic. However, each case is unique and it’s best to do a full assessment to determine yours and your child’s particular needs



Like many health issues, it is best to seek help from your Naturopathic Doctor to assess the best course of action for your child.



References:
1. Romm, A. 2003. Naturally Healthy Babies and Children: A Commonsense Guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition, and Health. Celestial Arts.
2. Skowron, JM. 2009. Fundamentals of Naturopathic Pediatrics. CCNM Press. Print.
3. Simkin, P et al. 2010. Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, 4th Ed. Meadowbrook Press.

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