How To Deal With Colic – And Give Your Baby Some Relief

As a parent, the chances that you’ll come across colic are pretty high. The condition is common – affecting around 20 per cent of babies. 

Generally involving a lot of tears and fussiness, it’s not very nice to watch as your baby may seem like he’s in pain – even though he isn’t.

Colic Affects A Fifth Of Babies [Rex]

What Is Colic?
Colic is the term used when your baby cries excessively, for no apparent reason. It occurs in both boys and girls and in babies that are breast and bottle-fed and there aren't thought to be any long-term effects to their health.

It’s not known what causes it, but some experts think it could be a result of indigestion, trapped wind or sensitivity to some proteins and sugars found in breast milk and formula. 

What Are The Symptoms?   
There are lots of signs for colic – making it tricky to diagnose. But non-stop crying is definitely the biggest indication. 

“It’s often classified as crying for more than three hours a day at a time,” says Theresa Bishop, professional lead for health visiting for Warwickshire. 

“It often starts in the evening from around two months and has commonly resolved by four months of age.”

Familiarise Yourself With The Numerous Symptoms Of Colic [Rex]

Other symptoms of colic include:

•    Crying for long periods of time
•    Crying at the same time each day 
•    Symptoms showing after eating 
•    Symptoms starting and stopping abruptly 
•    Symptoms that stop after a bowel movement or passing wind
•    Lots of spit up
•    Signs of gas like bloated stomach
•    Arched back, pulls knees to chest, clenches fists, flails arms and legs 
•    Disrupted sleep patterns 

How To Treat Colic At Home
There are lots of home remedies that you can try out to soothe and calm your baby. 

“Some babies love being close to their parent and the use of a soft baby carrier can be soothing,” says Theresa. “If you decide to use one of these, ensure you use the T.I.C.K.S. checklist to ensure your baby is kept safe.”

Infacol is another great way to relieve your baby’s pain and can be given to him before a feed. “It helps the bubbles in your baby’s tummy to join together and be eliminated more effectively,” says Theresa. 

When colic is diagnosed, some parents find the use of colief helpful. “Some babies can be sensitive to lactase and giving colief before a feed will help your baby to break down the lactase,” Theresa explains. 

Another option is a baby massage, which can help your baby relax and sleep – as well as providing relief. 

Your local Children Centre or your health visitor may be able to recommend a local session or show you how to give your baby one yourself. 

You can also ring the colic helpline on CRY-SIS 08451 228669 for tips on calming your baby, which is open from 9am to 10pm. 

When To See The GP
If you think your baby has colic, it’s best that you take him to his doctor to make sure that’s what it is.

There are some other conditions that cause extensive crying, including eczema and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, so it’s safest to get those ruled out. 

“You should trust your gut instinct as a parent,” says Theresa. “You are the expert of your baby. If you feel something is not right you can contact your GP or health visitor to discuss any concerns.” 

A number of signs and symptoms suggest that your baby is seriously ill, and he’s not just suffering from colic. 

“It’s recommended that you seek immediate medical advice if your baby is giving a weak, high-pitched continuous cry, seems floppy when lifted, has a fever of 38C or above, has breathing problems or has experienced a seizure,” says Theresa. 

Other symptoms to watch out for include blood in your baby’s poo, a stiff neck, green sick, a spotty, purple-red rash and any sign of turning blue, blotchy or very pale. If you can’t get hold of your GP, call NHS 111 for advice.  

Remember that colic is unavoidable and isn’t a result of anything you’ve done wrong – so don’t beat yourself up for being a bad parent. Yes, it’s tough to get through but keep in your mind that it is just a phase and your baby will be back to his usual smiley self soon. 
https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-deal-with-colic-%E2%80%93-and-give-your-baby-some-relief-122359744.html

The Best and Worst Foods to Eat During Pregnancy

When I was about three months pregnant, my obstetrician told me, "Certain foods go to the front, and others go to the back." Since then, no matter how many years I studied nutrition or how many prenatal classes I taught, no statement was as succinct or painted as clean an image as that one. So if you’re around three months pregnant, and you’ve already gained about 20 pounds, most of that weight gain probably had little to do with your growing fetus and more to do with overfeeding.

Armed with a cache of wit and wisdom, I'd like to share a few maternity mantras to help you enjoy this unique and amazing time in your life – while also looking ahead to enjoying the way you look and feel after your special delivery:

The thought of eating for two could lead to eating too much. Excessive portion sizes and giving into every craving could lead to double time at the gym after delivery. Even more seriously, it could put you at risk for complications during pregnancy. On average, the demands of pregnancy require around an extra 300 calories per day. The goal is to add foods rich in nutrients you may otherwise not get enough of, like calcium from milk or fiber from whole grains.

The power of protein is important for you and your baby to fuel muscles and promote growth.You may be getting enough protein from your typical diet, but it's important to choose the right sources of lean protein and be sure to double check that your taking in the right quantities. Choose chicken, lean meat, low-fat dairy and part-skim cheeses.

Docosahexaenoic acid is important for your baby's brain and eye development. Food sources that are naturally high in DHA and omega-3 fatty acids include fortified eggs, walnuts and certain fish. Fish is an excellent source of protein that's low in calories and high in nutrient value, but when it comes to the type of fish to select, we need to keep food safety in mind. Women in their childbearing years, as well as pregnant and nursing women, should avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish because of their methylmercury – a heavy metal that's toxic to a developing baby's neurological system. The Food and Drug Administration is updating its advice for pregnant women on the appropriate levels of mercury in seafood, but don't wait for this information to appear on seafood packages – you can probably have several children before that happens. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americansincorporated the FDA's warnings to state that pregnant and breastfeeding women should consume eight to 12 ounces of a variety of safe seafood per week, while limiting white albacore tuna to six ounces a week. You may need to speak with your health care provider about taking an omega-3 supplement.

Vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B-6 aid in reducing the risk of neural tube defects that causes spina bifida. Taking a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid before you are pregnant is recommended, and be sure to choose rich food sources including lentils, dark green veggies and non-citrus fruit. You can find vitamin B-6 in fish and meat, as well as in non-animal sources such as bananas, avocados, potatoes, spinach and fortified grains.

Carbohydrates are a pregnant woman's best friend. They help halt nausea, squelch craving and smooth moods. Whole-grain, high-fiber carbs can also help alleviate the discomfort of constipation, but be sure to couple fiber with fluid, or else it'll cork you up instead of provide a moving experience.

Calcium is essential for your baby’s bone development and for your long-term bone strength. Don’t underestimate how much your intake of calcium today will help bolster your bones for the future. You can put a solid deposit in the bone bank by choosing yogurt, cheese and other non- or low-fat dairy products. Fortified cereals and dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greensare also high in calcium.

Let’s get something straight about weight gain in pregnancy... You are supposed to gain weight. This is normal. It's suggested that one to four pounds total should be gained during the first three months (first trimester), and two to four pounds per month should be gained during the fourth through ninth months (second and third trimesters) for a total of approximately 25 to 35 pounds for women who start their pregnancies within a healthy weight range. Weight gain ranges may differ for those who begin this journey either over- or underweight.

Keep in mind that although you might be in a hurry to ditch post-pregnancy pounds, it took at least nine months to put them on, so be as patient with yourself as you will have to be with your new bundle of joy.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2014/06/05/the-best-and-worst-foods-to-eat-during-pregnancy?int=986d08&int=986d08

How To Deal With Colic – And Give Your Baby Some Relief

As a parent, the chances that you’ll come across colic are pretty high. The condition is common – affecting around 20 per cent of babies. 

Generally involving a lot of tears and fussiness, it’s not very nice to watch as your baby may seem like he’s in pain – even though he isn’t.

Colic Affects A Fifth Of Babies [Rex]

What Is Colic?
Colic is the term used when your baby cries excessively, for no apparent reason. It occurs in both boys and girls and in babies that are breast and bottle-fed and there aren't thought to be any long-term effects to their health.

It’s not known what causes it, but some experts think it could be a result of indigestion, trapped wind or sensitivity to some proteins and sugars found in breast milk and formula. 

What Are The Symptoms?   
There are lots of signs for colic – making it tricky to diagnose. But non-stop crying is definitely the biggest indication. 

“It’s often classified as crying for more than three hours a day at a time,” says Theresa Bishop, professional lead for health visiting for Warwickshire. 

“It often starts in the evening from around two months and has commonly resolved by four months of age.”

Familiarise Yourself With The Numerous Symptoms Of Colic [Rex]

Other symptoms of colic include:

•    Crying for long periods of time
•    Crying at the same time each day 
•    Symptoms showing after eating 
•    Symptoms starting and stopping abruptly 
•    Symptoms that stop after a bowel movement or passing wind
•    Lots of spit up
•    Signs of gas like bloated stomach
•    Arched back, pulls knees to chest, clenches fists, flails arms and legs 
•    Disrupted sleep patterns 

How To Treat Colic At Home
There are lots of home remedies that you can try out to soothe and calm your baby. 

“Some babies love being close to their parent and the use of a soft baby carrier can be soothing,” says Theresa. “If you decide to use one of these, ensure you use the T.I.C.K.S. checklist to ensure your baby is kept safe.”

Infacol is another great way to relieve your baby’s pain and can be given to him before a feed. “It helps the bubbles in your baby’s tummy to join together and be eliminated more effectively,” says Theresa. 

When colic is diagnosed, some parents find the use of colief helpful. “Some babies can be sensitive to lactase and giving colief before a feed will help your baby to break down the lactase,” Theresa explains. 

Another option is a baby massage, which can help your baby relax and sleep – as well as providing relief. 

Your local Children Centre or your health visitor may be able to recommend a local session or show you how to give your baby one yourself. 

You can also ring the colic helpline on CRY-SIS 08451 228669 for tips on calming your baby, which is open from 9am to 10pm. 

When To See The GP
If you think your baby has colic, it’s best that you take him to his doctor to make sure that’s what it is.

There are some other conditions that cause extensive crying, including eczema and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, so it’s safest to get those ruled out. 

“You should trust your gut instinct as a parent,” says Theresa. “You are the expert of your baby. If you feel something is not right you can contact your GP or health visitor to discuss any concerns.” 

A number of signs and symptoms suggest that your baby is seriously ill, and he’s not just suffering from colic. 

“It’s recommended that you seek immediate medical advice if your baby is giving a weak, high-pitched continuous cry, seems floppy when lifted, has a fever of 38C or above, has breathing problems or has experienced a seizure,” says Theresa. 

Other symptoms to watch out for include blood in your baby’s poo, a stiff neck, green sick, a spotty, purple-red rash and any sign of turning blue, blotchy or very pale. If you can’t get hold of your GP, call NHS 111 for advice.  

Remember that colic is unavoidable and isn’t a result of anything you’ve done wrong – so don’t beat yourself up for being a bad parent. Yes, it’s tough to get through but keep in your mind that it is just a phase and your baby will be back to his usual smiley self soon. 
https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-deal-with-colic-%E2%80%93-and-give-your-baby-some-relief-122359744.html