Best Baby Formula For Colic
Dreaded colic. If youre starting to link your babys cries to what theyre eating, consider choosing formulas specifically made to address whats causing those wails.
But, reality check: Theres no evidence to suggest that a certain formula will make your baby better.
Instead, colic tends to ease up between your babys 4- and 6-month birthday. And colic formulas may not help if your little one has an allergy, so its a good idea to check in with your pediatrician to make sure theres nothing more at play with their health.
Price: $$Key features: Gerber claims that Good Start SoothePro has the gentleness of breast milk and helps with anything from excessive crying episodes to fussiness and gas. It contains just 30 percent lactose, which the brand says may ease babys stomach . It also contains a blend of prebiotics and probiotics.Considerations: Parents generally like this formula, but some feel it can be a bit clumpy and hard to dissolve in the bottle. A few say that SoothePro smells bad and that their babies dont love the taste and occasionally refuse to drink it.
Biogaia For Your Precious Little One*
Not all probiotic strains are created equal. BioGaia® contains Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis, a probiotic strain that is found in the milk of breastfeeding mothers and encourages growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. BioGaia® has been studied extensively in infants and found to be safe and effective from their first day of life.*
BioGaia® baby probiotic drops have been clinically shown to:
Reduce crying time and fussing in colicky babies*Ease regurgitation, occasional constipation and diarrhea*Promote a healthy functioning digestive system*
How To Manage Your Own Distress
Caring for a screaming baby who cant be soothed is extremely distressing. If you feel that you are getting too upset, you need to take some time out to calm down. Suggestions include:
- Put your child in a safe place, such as a cot, and leave the room.
- Walk around the house or go outside.
- Relax your body by dropping your shoulders, clenching and unclenching your fists and stretching your back, arms and legs.
- Have a drink and something to eat, if you can manage it.
- Do something physical like running.
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When To See Your Healthcare Provider
If your babyâs crying persists and nothing seems to help, it could be time to visit your babyâs healthcare provider. He will be able to determine whether your little one has colic or pinpoint another medical condition.
Also, if your baby still shows signs of colic once heâs more than half a year old, speak to your babyâs healthcare provider to find out if there is an underlying cause.
Seek immediate medical attention if your baby
-
is sleepier than usual for a baby .
What Is The Definition Of Colic
Colic is the word used to describe a condition when a healthy baby cries for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for three or more weeks, and is hard to console or comfort.
With a colicky baby, the bouts of crying typically intensify and last as the day goes on, and can worsen in the evening, typically between 6 pm and midnight.
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Hold The Baby Correctly
Holding your baby is one of the most effective ways to stop the constant crying. The more hours they spend being comfortably held, the lesser time they will spend crying in the evening.
If gastroesophageal reflux disease is the reason why your baby is colicky, try holding him upright after feeding sessions.
Making your baby lie on his/her back or making him/her recline in a car seat right after feeding can worsen the symptoms, causing the baby to be fussy.
Also, do not forget to burp the baby after every feeding session. Not burping the baby or incorrect positioning after feeding is one of the causes of colic in babies. Burping helps release gas and prevent the formation of air pockets in the stomach, which can cause a lot of discomforts.
How To Choose A Baby Formula
At the most basic level, theres really no wrong choice when it comes to formula. Since everything youll find is technically safe to use, that means that what you put in your cart is really up to you, your preferences, and your budget.
You might ask yourself if a certain brand or type:
- is easy to find at a local store or online
- has a price point that fits within your budget
- meets your need for convenience
- is appropriate for your childs special needs
Beyond that, youll need to see what works best for your baby. Know that most formulas contain 20 calories per ounce. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should choose a brand that contains iron to help prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Anything else thats added to the formula, like fatty acids and other ingredients found in breast milk, are completely safe, but they may or may not provide the benefits written on the box.
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What Is Known About The Relationship Between Probiotics And Colic
The available scientific evidence to date consists largely of small, preliminary studies. Most were conducted among breastfeeding infants who had colic symptoms for at least three days a week for at least two weeks.
The main findings showed:
- That giving the babies a daily dose or multiple doses of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 seemed to reduce crying in infants.
- That giving the babies a daily dose of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 seemed to reduce crying and irritability in breastfed infants with colic symptoms, but not among formula-fed infants with colic symptoms.
- That giving the babies a daily dose of Lactobacillus reuteri seemed to improve infantile colic symptoms when compared with no treatment, simethicone , or placebo . However, this study included only 86 infants. Moreover, it was unclear whether the active ingredient in the probiotic product contributed to its effectiveness.
- That giving the babies a daily dose of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 seemed to reduce crying and improve infantile colic symptoms when compared with a placebo. Moreover, it was unclear whether or not the active ingredient in the probiotic product contributed to its effectiveness.
- Bone mineral content appeared to increase over time among infants who received Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, but it did not change among infants who did not receive treatment. However, this study included only 24 infants.
Use Essential Oils To Massage Your Baby
An essential oil massage is a great home remedy for colic in your baby. Essential oils contain ingredients that provide soothing effects that can help get rid of the continuous pain as well as provide a relaxing feeling to your baby.
Additionally, an essential oil massage can maintain your babys temperatures at stable levels and induce sleep more easily. You can massage a teaspoon of peppermint or lavender essential oil on your babys tummy area in circular movements for about 10 minutes. Follow this remedy several times a day to relieve the colic symptoms.
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Get Rid Of Trapped Gas
Trapped gas can be a reason babies may get colicky. A few light exercises can help in relieving the baby of the discomfort caused by trapped gas.
- Make your baby do a few leg pumps! All you need to do is lay the baby on his back and very gently pump his legs into the abdomen. You can make a bicycle motion with the babyâs legs or simply pump both the legs into his torso at the same time. However, make sure you do this very gently and carefully.
- Alternatively, you can simply make the baby lie down across your lap. Make sure the majority of the babyâs weight is resting on your knee. This trick can also be effective in relieving trapped gas.
- If everything else fails, there is another method you can try to soothe a gassy baby. Hold the baby against your chest . Your arms should be wrapped around his belly. Now apply slight pressure, let the baby hang on your arm, and bounce . This will help in getting out the burps.
When To Call Your Doctor Immediately
A number of signs and symptoms may suggest that your baby is more seriously ill. It is recommended that you contact your doctor immediately if your baby:
- has a weak, high-pitched continuous cry
- seems floppy when you pick them up
- takes less than a half of their usual feeds
- passes less urine than usual
- vomits green fluid
- passes blood in their stools
- has a fever such as 38°C or above or 39°C or above
- has a bulging fontanelle
- has a fit
- turns blue, blotchy or very pale
- has a stiff neck
- has breathing problems, such as breathing quickly or grunting while breathing
- has a spotty, purple-red rash anywhere on their body
- has a seizure
None of the above symptoms is caused by colic. If you cant get hold of your doctor, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice .
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a product recall for all batches of Infants’ Friend oral liquid
Information for consumers
If you have a bottle of Infants’ Friend oral liquid, do not use it. Return it to the place you purchased it from for a refund.
If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, talk to your health professional or contact Infants’ Friend Pty Ltd customer service on 1800 981 403.
For more information please see TGA’s alert on Infants’ Friend oral liquid.
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Best Organic Baby Formula
Formulas labeled organic must meet certain standards, like being made without contaminants like prohibited synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Organic formulas are also free from artificial flavors and colors, growth hormones, preservatives, and other additives.
Price: $$Key features: Earths Bests Sensitivity blend is made with 95 percent less lactose than standard formulas. This means it may be more easily digested by babies who are sensitive to lactose . Its dairy ingredients are organic, coming from grass-fed cows, and the formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, lutein, and prebiotics to support your babys immune system.Considerations: Some parents explain that they like the formula, but that it can be inconsistent from batch to batch . Others like that this formula tastes like milk, but a few note that theyre unhappy with the high corn syrup solids content. Its worth noting, though, that corn syrup solids, also sometimes called maltodextrin, is a common ingredient in most infant formulas.
What Are The Symptoms Of Colic
Each baby behaves in a completely unique way, but colic is usually characterised by all or some of the following:
- Crying for more than three and a half hours a day .
- Crying thats inconsolable and almost continuous this can be intense and sound different from your babys other cries.
- The crying reaches a peak in the late afternoon and early evening.
- Their face becomes red and flushed.
- They clench their fists, bringing their legs up to their tummy or arch their back.
If youre worried it might be something more serious than colic, visit your GP or talk to your health visitor. This way you can rule out any illness.
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Can You Let A Colic Baby Cry It Out
there is nothing wrong with allowing yourself some time to cool off if you notice the cry is intense and will not let up there maybe something else wrong check for fever, make sure they are passing stool and urine in a normal pattern sometimes it is just the way you hold the bottle or feed the baby EVEN
How To Soothe A Baby With Colic
You had just settled into a comfortable routine with your new baby when, at about 3 weeks old, they start fussing and crying for hours each evening. Welcome to one of the most challenging aspects of parenting a baby: colic.
While colic sounds like a disease, its simply the name for excessive crying during a babys first few months. The good news about colic is that it typically lasts until the baby is about 3 months old, then magically disappears, says Catherine Bonita, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician with expertise in newborn care and nutrition at CHOPs Primary Care location in Flourtown, PA.
Thats also the bad news. A few months of trying to soothe a colicky baby through the evening can seem like a very long time.
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Best Baby Formula For Gas
Those toots may be cute at first. But your baby may have a lot of discomfort with gas. Keep in mind that severe gas may be a sign of allergy or other medical issue. So, if switching formulas doesnt help, head in for a check-up.
Price: $$Key features: Enfamil claims that in clinical trials this formula reduced gas and associated fussiness and crying in just one day. This formula also contains a high amount of DHA to help nourish and develop your babys brain.Considerations: Many parents are pleased with this formula and feel it does seem to help their babies. A few noted that they didnt like the packaging and that the formula left an oily residue in the bottle after feeding.
Feed A Little Longer On Each Breast
Ensure that your baby feeds longer on each breast rather than alternating between each breast. The hindmilk that comes out after the baby has sucked on a breast for a while is more nutritious than the foremilk that comes out at the beginning. Hindmilk contains more fat, which promotes digestion and soothes the stomach. Too much foremilk can cause digestive distress.
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Latest Healthy Kids News
It is critically important to consult the baby’s doctor at the very beginning of the suspected colic symptoms. While there are no tests that doctors can perform where the results come back “colic,” it is very important to exclude several other causes of crying or sudden-onset screaming in a newborn. Remember that other less serious causes of crying include anything that causes discomfort. Check if the infant is hungry, too cold or too warm, over-tired, or suffering from food intolerance . Other more serious medical conditions to consider include intestinal blockage or obstruction, abdominal infection, a hernia, a scratch of the baby’s eye, an ear infection, a bladder infection, hair or fiber wrapped around fingers or toes, and others. Once the baby receives a clean bill of health and understanding, the supportive doctor is worth his/her weight in gold! Should a colicky baby’s symptoms ever suddenly change, the doctor will reassess the situation and look for unrelated problems that can arise in any baby. As discussed above, the doctor may recommend an over-the-counter anti-gas bubble medicine for the baby or even a probiotic. Babies take these medications orally. When it seems that there are as many home remedies or “cures” for colic as there are grandparents, always call the baby’s doctor first. Finally, remember that after three or four months, the colic resolves there are no long-term problems associated with colic.