Tips for dealing with colicky babies

By SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
Salt Lake Tribune
Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Some possible reasons for the "colicky" baby

Signs of acid reflux and milk-protein allergy

- Bryan Vartabedian tells parents to look for these signs of reflux in their "colicky" baby: spitting and vomiting, constant hiccups, feeding disturbances such as pulling away from the nipple and grimacing, chronic irritability, discomfort while lying on the back, sleep disturbance and chronic cough and/or congestion.

- Symptoms of milk-protein allergy include blood-streaked stools, mucus in the diaper, crankiness, diarrhea, eczema, and wheezing and congestion.

Other colic suspects

-The "fourth Trimester:" Physician Harvey Karp says babies basically are born three months too early, developed just enough to survive, but without all the systems functioning properly. Crying is one symptom of the baby's underdeveloped nervous system, he says.

-Propbiotics: Recent research out of Italy found that 95 percent of breast-fed colicky babies improved when given Lactobacillus reuteri, which boosts helpful bacteria in the GI tract. The research supports the notion that many cases of colic have their origins in the gut.

-Temperament: Just like adults, babies have their own personalities. Some are more sensitive to light, touch, hunger and pain, according to Vartabedian. That may account for about 40 percent of colic cases, by his estimates.

A rundown of remedies

Barry Lester collects alleged colic cures for his "Colic Gizmo Museum -- admission free." Most of them work some of the time, he said, but none of them work all of the time. Here are some of the more colorful methods:

- Creative sources of vibrations: Placing the baby, in car seat, atop the drier. Running the vacuum or shower while the baby sleeps. Heartbeat recordings or white-noise machines.

- The "whycry": A device that translates a baby's cries into one of five complaints: hungry, bored, tired, stressed or annoyed.

- Car-ride simulators: Gadgets that attach to the crib mattress and mimic the sound of a moving car.

-Restrictive diets: Breast-feeding mothers can try removing foods that babies sometimes are allergic to, such as milk, eggs, wheat or nuts. Other common foods that may make a baby fussy: broccoli, coffee, tea, chocolate.

- Wearing the baby in a sling.

- Herbal teas and sucrose.

-tight swaddling around the baby.

- A mechanical swing or bouncy chair.

- A hot-water bottle on the tummy.

-A baby massage.

-Lactase drops.

-Bath powders.

-Special feeding positions.

-Excercise routines.

Source: "Why Is My Baby Crying," by Barry Lester