What Fussy Baby Signs Point To Baby Colic?

What symptoms to look for when you have a fussy baby before thinking of colic remedies, whether you are breastfeeding or not? According to two online sources, the fussy baby site and colic calm, this definition for baby colic was given by a pediatrician named Morris Wessel, way back in 1954:

“Unexplained crying in an infant between the ages of 2 weeks and 4 months, at least 3 hours a day, 3 times a week, for 3 weeks or more.”

Medterms describes baby colic as follows:

Colic is characterized by episodes of irritability, loud crying, and what appears to be abdominal pain with the legs drawn up and the abdomen feeling rigid.

An attack of colic usually begins suddenly, often after a feeding. The cry is loud and continuous. The spells last from one to four hours and the baby’s face often gets flushed or red. The belly is sometimes distended or prominent; the legs alternate between flexed and extended straight out; the feet are often cold and the hands clenched. The episodes, while they can occur at any time of the day or night, typically begin in the late afternoon or early evening.

So what to do about that fussy baby?

How to deal with these symptoms? Can I buy colic remedies? Do colic remedies even exist?

Medterm also states that about 10% of babies get baby colic and if I count the number of newborns every year, that is a huge crowd of parents that are going to have to deal with a fussy baby, even if there are colic remedies.

The sad news is that there is no cure for baby colic but there is a lot you can do to make life a little easier to bear for the baby with baby colic. For starters, you should allow yourself to stop feeling guilty in any way, it is not your fault and you are not a bad parent because your infant has symptoms that point to colic.

A continuously crying infant can drive parents completely mad, it would not be the first time either that a nanny loses her patience with a loudly crying infant. There have been documented cases where one can see a nanny shake the infant so violently that it will suffer from the shaken baby syndrome.

Let us consider what can be done, as there are no miracle cures. If you are breastfeeding, there are certain types of food to avoid. If you are not breastfeeding, there are a number of baby food variations you can consider. As there are no colic remedies as simple as drops or a pill you will have to look for other ways to make the symptoms go away.

These exist, but it will require a bit of organizing and there are also many other articles on this website that will point the way. Of course, you could take the short cut and check out our baby colic relief ebook.

How To Buy Baby Bottles To Solve Infant And Gas Problems

Baby bottles are essential for babies, particularly for mothers who are not into breastfeeding or having a hard time doing so. When you are planning to buy baby bottles, choosing the right baby bottle may not really matter, but for some particular feeding situations, such as an infant with gas problems, having the right baby bottle can make a lot of difference.

When you are to buy baby bottles, first thing that you need to take note of is the shape of the nipple as this is one of the most important things. If you cannot breastfeed your child and wish to feed him with formula, the shape of the nipple may not be of utmost importance.

But, if you are breastfeeding your child and want to occasionally use baby bottles to feed him, make sure to choose a wide base nipple which closely resembles a mother’s breast. This is due to the fact that your baby may have a hard time switching from wide into a narrow latch, especially if he is already used to getting feed from his mother’s breast.

As things go, changing from a natural wide nipple during breastfeeding to a narrow baby bottle nipple can cause the infant to swallow more air than before and before you know it, you have an infant and gas situation that might even resemble baby colic, witch is a place no parent wants to go. Remember though, that colic is only really there if the crying doesn’t stop for three hours for more than three days, because it is easy to confuse the temporary discomfort of an infant with gas and baby colic.

Check the liquid flow rate of the nipple.

Another thing that should be considered is the flow rate of the nipple. The speed at which the milk or formula can come through may vary a lot and so make sure to have a keen eye on these details. There are some baby bottles that are designed for slow or fast flow. But for newborns, make sure to opt for the nipples that can provide a slow flow to prevent your child from choking.

Aside from that, a nipple that delivers milk or formula way too fast for the baby may cause stomach troubles such as colic or gas pain. A little experimentation may also be needed when choosing the right nipple with the right flow type for your child. If you think your child does not like a nipple with a slow flow, try using a nipple with a fast flow when feeding him and observe which of the two works best for him. Also, fast-flow nipples might be required as well as your baby grows older.

Should one buy glass or plastic bottles?

When you are to buy baby bottles, the material used for the bottle should also be taken into consideration. Baby bottles made of glass are easier to clean and may usually last longer. The only disadvantage is that if the bottle breaks, it may cut the child or the mother so you should be very careful when using glass bottles. On the other hand, plastic bottles may not last as long as the glass bottles but they are more economical and are easier to find.

Glass bottles are also a little heavier than plastic baby bottles so when you need to move bags containing baby’s food, there will be noticeable difference in the weight of the bag. That is not a problem when you have a car, but if you rely on public transport, you need to think this one through.

Add to that the possibility of having a slow eater and the heavier glass bottle can cause some discomfort for the one holding it for prolonged periods of time at regular intervals.

Is the shape of the bottle important and what about venting?

Another thing that you should consider is the shape of the bottle and its vent system. Some babies may suck in more air than others while they eat and some are at higher risk of having stomach discomforts than the others. Thus, a bottle with an angled shape and an air vent system might be needed. These can also prevent air from getting into your child’s stomach and reduces stomach discomforts as well.

Should I consider baby bottle liners?

If you do not want to wash bottles often, you may choose to buy baby bottle liners. These are disposable, flexible plastic bags that can be placed inside the bottle and can be removed after each feeding session. This way, you only have to wash the nipples and rinse the rest of the bottle parts.

Silicone or latex nipples for the bottle?

Last but not the least; when you are planning to buy baby bottles, you need to very well consider the material used for the nipples. Silicone nipples are most preferred since they do not pick up tastes or smell even after several usage.

Aside from that, they do not pose any potential risk of having allergies unlike latex nipples. Most importantly, silicone nipples are difficult to chew holes in and so the risk of choking due to chewed off pieces are very low. Do not forget to take note of these factors when you are to buy baby bottles as this may be helpful in your child’s nourishment and to ensure his safety as well.

Sources if you want to buy cheap baby bottle online:

Diapers.com, where there is also a wide choice!

Baby bottle from Diapers.com

Feeding Newborn Baby

One of the biggest concerns parents have when it comes to feeding new born baby is scheduling. However, for the very young infant, scheduling feedings may not be possible. Particularly when it comes to breastfed infants, milk tends to be digested so quickly that multiple feedings around the clock are required.

For bottle fed babies, you may not have to feed as often, but there will still be nighttime feedings for the first few months. This is entirely necessary and normal – your baby should not be deprived of nighttime feedings when they are first born.

Feeding routines are good

However, even when feeding new born baby in the first few months, you can regulate the routine even if scheduling is not possible. By setting a consistent ritual or routine at feeding times, you will help your baby to associate the routine with being fed. This can reduce crying and fussiness as baby learns to expect that feeding is forthcoming when certain things happen.

Training baby helps

For example: if you regularly change your baby’s diaper, and put on calming music before nursing or bottle feeding your infant, then he or she will learn to expect to be fed after a diaper change if the music is playing. Because of this, even a fussy, hungry baby can learn to wait as long as the cues are consistent. That means that you must do the same thing, in the same order, every time.

For nursing mothers, it can be especially helpful to divide up the tasks required when you are setting up a feeding routine. Fathers or other caregivers can bring warm blankets, offer to change baby’s diaper, or bring water for the nursing mother to drink. By taking some of the load off of one individual when it comes to setting the routine, it can make it easier to be consistent, even if it’s 2 or 3 in the morning.

It is important to follow the recommended feeding advice of your baby’s pediatrician. This typically means that when feeding newborn baby, you only want to provide formula or breast milk. Rice cereal should not be given in formula to any baby under 4 months of age, and water is not a substitute for proper feeding and nursing.

Remember, it is important for babies to gain weight at this stage for brain development and overall health. Don’t worry about overfeeding a newborn – they are very good about knowing when they are hungry and when they are not.

You may have heard the old advice that you should only feed at scheduled times and that you should not feed your child whenever he is hungry because you will “spoil” the baby. This type of thinking is absolutely false. Babies under three months of age cannot be spoiled. They can, however, learn to cry more and more often if their needs are not met. Generally speaking, you will have a quieter, happier baby if you attend to his needs as soon as possible rather than making him wait and cry for comfort or food.

Routines can help with this process as well – babies can gradually pick up on patterns and cues, and you will soon learn to distinguish the difference between a cry of hunger and one that is just fussiness. When your routines are synced with your baby’s needs (i.e. you respond to a hunger cry with the feeding routine) you can eliminate much of the general fussiness of a newborn infant.

Once you have established a set feeding routine for your baby, you can work on the scheduling as he or she gets older. Having specific times for feeding is easier when your baby is old enough to remain full for several hours at a time. Some infants take longer to give up their night-time feeding, but with patience and consistency, you can soon have your little one sleeping through the night.

Gassiness in newborn and newborn belly ache problems.

It is known that one baby in five will have to cope with some or other form of colic and this means that millions of mothers and their families are confronted each year with babies that will not stop crying for long periods of time.

To say the least, this is very challenging for the parents and their family, because they not only have to adapt their lives to take care of the baby, but they also have to deal with the stress that is provoked by a baby with colic symptoms whom is very difficult to console.

This painful tummy ache situation will resolve itself when the baby reaches the age of 8 to 9 months without any further consequences for the baby, after which life becomes normal again and it is easy to forget it ever happened. This does not mean it is easy to deal with the situation when you are in it.

When the baby is in distress after feeding and does not stop crying, everyone in the family will want to help and there are many reasons to want to:

• The sound of a crying baby causes stress in the adults and the siblings if there are any.
• The adults feel distressed because the baby is uncomfortable and unhappy while it seems they cannot do anything about the situation to comfort the baby.
• It is not easy to sleep when the baby is crying so that after a while exhaustion settles in, which means it is even less easy to remain patient with the situation.
• The parents start feeling powerless and guilty and sometimes they start blaming each other.
• It is impossible to get away from this and it means some way has to be found to find relief for both the baby and the family.

There is no easy cure for a baby with colic because doctors haven’t found what causes it, so it is not a question of visiting a pediatrician and asking for a prescription for some pills. There is no known remedy, but there are many things that can be done to help the baby and the family.

• Trying out different soothing techniques:

• Music
• Swaddling
• Skin contact
• Driving around in a car
• Trying baby gripe drops & simethicone

• Reaching out to help groups

• Getting extra help
• Finding out if there is something that causes the situation or makes it worse
• Every baby is a unique individual, so each one of them reacts differently
• Different causes for every baby

So how do we find out what to do and when to do it?

Where to find help? When to go to a doctor?
Are there any good guides? (As a matter of fact, yes, there are!)

Here at Baby Colic Stop, we went and looked for solid easy to understand information on the Internet and we found millions of pages containing little bits of information, but none saying it all. In time you will be able to get all the information but you will be spending hours upon hours surfing.

That is not very helpful immediately, so we compiled a complete guide for mothers who are seeking ways to deal with a colicky baby right away. At the same time, it contains an organized structured method to help one find the right way that helps your baby quickly.

Soothing your baby is possible, even if he or she is suffering form colic. You only need to find the right method and the things that work for the baby. You might have to do some trial and error before finding what is just right, but only in very exceptional cases there is only time to solve the issue.

In the end, baby colic goes away all by itself and even doctors don’t know why. There is no doubt about it, if there was a cure, parents and doctors would know and so would you! But there is no reason not to try and do something about the difficult situation and there is plenty you can do.

In our guide “Baby Colic Relief – The Fastest Was To Stop Your Baby’s Colic” we put it all together so you don’t have to waste your time looking all over the place for bits of information. You can start doing something to find relief for the baby and your family immediately.

How To Understand Breastfeeding Reflux

Even in healthy babies, as much as 50 percent of them may suffer from breastfeeding reflux at some point in time. Breastfeeding reflux can easily be remedied as long as mothers know what to do about it and how to deal with it. This should not be a major concern since it comes naturally. But of course, you might need to consult a physician if the symptoms are severe. Things that you can do to deal with breastfeeding reflux may include the following:

• Feeding position

  – when feeding your child, make sure that he is in an upright position. After each feeding session, hold your baby upright for no less than 30 minutes to avoid or help reduce breastfeeding reflux. Also, avoid moving them too much after feeding to allow gravity to aid with digestion.

• Clothing

  – do not make your child wear tight clothing as this could only make his reflux worse. Make sure to change diapers before feeding your child and not after being fed, and leave a little space so that the diaper is not fastened too tightly.

• Feeding process

  – make sure to allow your child to take all the time he or she needs when nursing. Do not rush the feeding session.

• Overfeeding

  – do not feed your child in one long session without pausing to let him or her burp. It is a lot better to nurse several times per day and allow your baby to burp during and after each meal. Also, make sure not to feed your child right before bedtime, as this can cause reflux when you lay him down to sleep.

• Thickening formula

  – if your pediatrician thinks it’s a good idea, you can offer your baby thickened formula that is specifically designed to help with reflux.

• Burping

  – when feeding your child, make sure to allow him to burp every after meal or after downing a few ounces.

• Food choices

  – as a mother, if you are to breastfeed your child, make sure to watch out for your diet. There are certain foods that you eat that could make breastfeeding reflux worse. As much as possible, avoid consuming foods that may cause gassiness and stomach irritation for your baby. Hot, spicy foods and rich greasy foods that give you indigestion may also give your baby indigestion when they are passed along through breast milk.

• Pacifiers

  – allowing your child to suck on pacifiers after a feeding session can help them increase saliva production. Saliva is alkaline and can be very helpful in neutralizing acid to prevent excessive spit up.

If you find that your baby is very fussy after meals, or is refusing to nurse, it may be a sign of a more serious problem. You should always speak with your baby’s pediatrician in order to get the most accurate diagnosis. Never change your little one’s feeding routines or habits without first discussing the problem with the doctor. Because there are other medical conditions that can mimic the symptoms of reflux, you should always get a firm diagnosis from a reliable professional.

Once breastfeeding reflux has been identified as the problem, any of the tips above may prove helpful. You may also want to keep a food diary in order to see if there are any foods you eat which trigger the symptoms when your baby nurses.

As mentioned above, almost all babies may experience having a reflux at some stage, particularly during the first 3 months, and most babies can overcome such condition by themselves. By simply following the tips stated above, you can help your child reduce the reflux when you are breastfeeding or feeding your child breast milk from a bottle.

Newborns Breastfeeding

As a new mother, it may take some time and patience to be able to learn the skills it takes to successfully breastfeed your infant. For some newborns breastfeeding may be difficult and frustrating at first, as they learn to latch on successfully. This is especially true if you are a new mother and are still learning how to hold your baby and get your baby to latch on in order to breastfeed. However, with a little patience and some determination, you can overcome most problems with newborns breastfeeding and successfully help your baby to latch on consistently each time. Here are some tips to make newborns breastfeeding easier, particularly for new mothers:

Help your baby to latch on as soon as he shows an interest in feeding.

Many times, your baby will wake up hungry and ready to nurse. If you offer the breast before your baby has a chance to get fussy, you have a better chance of getting him to latch on successfully. However, it is important to temper this advice with your baby’s unique personality. Some babies do not like to nurse if they are wet or dirty, so a quick diaper change before feeding is necessary. Remember to take your time letting the baby latch on – for newborns, feeding times should be a secure and relaxed time, so the more comfortable you are, the more comfortable your baby will be.

Make sure you are getting enough rest and enough fluids.

Many new mothers get very thirsty when nursing their infants, and if you are uncomfortable then it will be difficult for you to let your baby stay latched on as long as she needs to in order to feed properly. Try to time your naps around the same time that your baby sleeps for the first few weeks – this means taking naps throughout the day and night. Have water on hand and within reach while you are nursing and make sure you are in a comfortable position before you settle in to nurse your baby.

Avoid having guests that make you feel stressed or uncomfortable.

Your baby will take his cues from you, and if you are stressed and nervous, he will be also. If you have relatives that are overly judgmental or critical, avoid having extended visits until both you and the baby are feeling up to it. Don’t feel obligated to breastfeed your baby in front of family or friends. Instead, make sure you and your baby are as comfortable as possible – they will understand if you need to excuse yourself for a feeding, and your baby will have a better, more relaxed meal time if you don’t place yourself in a stressful situation.

Don’t let conflicting advice overwhelm you.

There are several different methods for getting a baby to latch on successfully. Some of the holds or positions you might use may seem odd to others who are not familiar with the newer techniques. As long as you and your baby are comfortable and safe, that’s all that matters. Remember, your newborns breastfeeding success is dependent only upon your commitment to making breastfeeding a success – not the advice of well-intentioned friends and family members.

If your baby is having severe problems with latching on and you are worried about his health, seek the advice of a medical professional sooner rather than later. La Leche League and other groups can put you in contact with a breastfeeding expert who can give you solid advice and assistance when you need it most. Make the most of this time with your precious newborn and enjoy the bond the breastfeeding provides.

Newborns Gas

When it comes to health issues for infants, newborns’ gas is generally only a minor concern. However, the pain from gas pressure and bloating often cause newborns to become very fussy. These symptoms can be caused by several different factors including formula sensitivities, air swallowed during feeding, or just the natural occurrence of gas that is produced as a byproduct of digestion. Mild gassiness can usually be relieved by using some simple burping and feeding techniques.

Gas in newborns:

Gas in newborns and babies under one year of age is considered to be normal. Almost every parent will deal with infant gassiness at some point. Because your newborns gas could be caused by any number of factors, you must be willing to try several different solutions in order to find the one that will bring the most relief.

Although there are various factors that may cause gas in the baby’s digestive tract, one of the main factors is the child’s immature digestive system. To some extent, you can expect your newborns gas to gradually improve as your little one ages. If your newborn is a preemie then you may have more problems with digestion, and thus gassiness. Although this situation is normal, it is still important to understand the underlying cause in order to be able to help your child get rid of the gas and relieve him from the pain.

If your baby is bottle fed, when feeding your baby air bubbles may be swallowed during the course of the feeding. If you are breastfeeding, your newborns’ gas may also be due to foods you are eating that can upset your baby’s tummy. Numerous studies have shown that both nutrients and gas-causing agents can be passed through breastfeeding. If the mother’s diet often includes gas-causing foods such as dairy products, legumes and cabbages, then the risk of gassiness in newborns is higher. Additionally, too much citrus fruits or acidic foods on a diet may also cause your baby to experience stomach irritation.

Infants aged 3 to 6 months old are prone to gas pain and other related problems, especially if solids are started too soon. Newborns gas may present symptoms such as irritability, fussiness, sleeping problems and crying for a longer time without any obvious reason. These signs are often manifested after feeding. Distended stomach, abdominal bloating and frequent passing of gas also indicates a problem.

Swallowing air while crying?

Another factor that may cause your newborns gas is the act of crying itself. Crying is natural to some extent, since this is their only way to verbally express any discomfort. However, strenuous crying may cause your baby to swallow more air which will only exacerbate the condition.

When seeking to help your child find relieve from gas pain, here are some methods you might try:

• Reduce gas accumulation on your baby’s digestive tract by patting his back and burping your baby at regular intervals.Make sure that the nipple size is accurate when feeding your baby through a bottle. Larger nipple size may cause your baby to consume milk fast while smaller nipples may cause your baby to swallow more air.

• Gently massage your child’s tummy with an essential oil to relieve gas bubbles from their digestive system.

• To expel gas, you may also lay your baby on his tummy while you rub his back. Be sure not to leave your baby to fall asleep in this position if he is not able to roll over on his own.

• If your newborns gas is due to possible diet sensitivities, then you should try to isolate the offending food. Try removing known culprits one at a time to see if your baby’s gassiness improves.

No matter what the cause of your newborns gas, you want to make certain that you take steps to relieve the condition sooner rather than later. A baby who associates mealtimes with pain may start to avoid feedings. If you have any concerns about allergies or other sensitivities, always speak to your child’s pediatrician to get the most thorough advice possible.

Helpful Feeding Tips: Getting Baby to Take Bottle

Proper feeding of newborns is one of the most important aspects of taking care of your new baby. However it can be difficult for new parents to get the hang of bottle feeding their new baby. If you’re having problems getting Baby to take his bottle, there are several adjustments that you can make to simplify the feeding process. What steps you can take will largely depend upon the specific difficulty that your baby is having what it comes to feeding.

Problems Latching On

Some newborns have problems latching onto the bottle or maintaining suction during bottle-feeding. If this is the problem that your baby is having, you may want to experiment with using different sizes and shapes of nipples for the bottle. Some babies even do better with new posts are made from different materials such as silicon versus rubber. You want to be sure that the nipple is properly sized for your baby’s mouth. This is because if the nipple is too large then it will be too much work for your baby to get the formula to leave the bottle.

Nipples that are too small for that are awkwardly shaped can make it difficult for your baby to remain latched on. You may wish to get some suggestions from your doctor’s pediatrician as to what type and shape of nipples you should use. Also be certain to use a bottle is properly sized as well. Bottles that are too large may cause difficulties with formula flow or other issues.

Problems With Gassiness

Some babies seem to be especially prone to gassiness. This can make it difficult for your baby to remain focused on feeding if he or she is continually passing gas at the same time you are offering the bottle. The problem may be that your little one is swallowing air during feedings. You can try swapping to a nipple that have smaller holes or slower flow rate. If the gassiness does not subside after a few days, you may want to consider switching formulas to something that is milder on your baby stomach. These adjustments should allow your little one to have less problems with gas.

Fussiness During Feeding

If fussiness during feeding is a problem, gas may also be an issue. Your baby may also be fussy due to tiredness or illness. Getting Baby to take bottle when he’s tired will be difficult at best for some. It will depend largely upon your baby’s temperament. One of the best things you can do is to schedule feedings around the same time, or evenly spaced so that the same amount of time passes between feedings. If the fussiness is due to gas, again you may want to change the type of nipple for the bottle, the type of formula, or both.

If, however, your baby is fussy because he or she is ill the best thing you can do is to make sure that your baby is as comfortable as possible during feedings. Follow the pediatrician’s advice as to how to treat your baby’s illness, and schedule feedings when your baby is least likely to be feeling the negative effects of any sickness.

Excessive Spit-Up

Babies who spit-up excessively can also be difficult to bottle feed, and there can be many reasons behind this occurrence. The first thing you’ll want to be sure of is that your baby is being burped regularly during and after feedings. Some cases of spit-up are caused simply because of trapped air bubbles that were swallowed during feeding time.

If burping doesn’t solve the problem, you may want to look into potential changes in formula, or even evaluation for acid reflux. Some babies produce excess stomach acid which can make it difficult for them to properly digest their food. It’s important to have this diagnosis as early as possible if that is the case, because it can make it difficult for your baby to gain weight and to thrive.

Regardless of the underlying issue, making sure that your baby is well fed is key to making sure that he or she grows up healthy and strong. Don’t give up on getting Baby to take bottle — with a little creativity and determination your little one will be having stress-free feedings in no time.

When Feeding Solids Baby Cereal is Just the Beginning

All parents treasure those special “firsts” in their babies lives: the first smile, first laugh, first word, and especially the first time baby has solid food. But when you’re feeding solids baby cereal is just the start of the flavors your baby will experience. And even when it comes to cereal, there are several types as well. If your little one has colic, or even if he had colic in the past, a wrong choice now could make a happy moment into a feeding nightmare.

Rice cereal is less problems

Baby cereal can be made of rice, oatmeal, or a combination of grains. If you are worried about possible digestion issues, there are also cereals that have probiotics and DHA added to help with digestion and regularity. Your safest bet when just starting out will always be rice cereal. Very few babies have any problems with this type of cereal. You can mix it with water, formula, or a little breast milk to get the right consistency.

Some cereals also come with fruit and very light flavorings. You can try these types of cereals if your baby has handled the plain cereals well, and you want to bridge the gap between cereal and fresh fruit gradually. Banana is a popular choice, as is oatmeal raisin. When feeding solids baby cereals with sweet flavors tend to be more readily accepted.

Once you are ready to move on to fresh fruit, there are many options to choose from. Pureed bananas, apples, pears and other fruits of this nature are typically mild and well digested. When you move into fruits and vegetables with orange pigment, such as sweet potato and peaches, you may have to watch your baby for gassiness. As always, if any colicky symptoms develop, stop offering the latest food and try again later when your baby’s system has had a chance to develop more fully.

Starting solids too early can lead to allergies. One of the most problematic allergies is an allergy to gluten, as it eliminates many foods that we eat on a daily basis, not just breads and grains. The best way to avoid this type of allergy is to introduce new foods slowly, and only when you are sure that your baby has developed enough to be able to properly digest them. Give your little one time to learn and enjoy new foods, and don’t be discouraged if he doesn’t like them on the first try. Many babies grow to love fruits and vegetables that they rejected at first.

Feeding times should be relaxed and stress-free. Don’t expect baby to finish every bit of food you offer, and don’t force him or her to eat everything in the dish. Allow your baby to eat until he or she refuses to have any more. That way, baby learns to respect his own hunger cues and won’t become overly full, constipated, gassy, or colicky. Watch your little one’s non-verbal cues: when he starts to turn away from the spoon, it’s time to stop.

Avoiding colic

Overall, when feeding solids baby cereal is a safe way to start, and a good way to measure your baby’s tolerance for solid foods. However, as your baby becomes more interested in other foods, branching out to let him try mild flavors and easily digestible foods gradually is your best option. This way, your baby will remain colic free as you reach this important new milestone together. Take your time, enjoy your little one’s new interest in “grown up” food and enjoy the new aspect of feeding time with patience and love.

Crying or Colic? Understanding the Hidden Signals in Newborns’ Crying

It’s 2 a.m. and your little one is up and is yet again in tears. You feel like you’ve tried everything, but nothing seems to work. While it may be true that your baby has colic, a lot of newborns’ crying can be attributed to simple causes that are easy to adjust.  The key is in understanding the non-verbal cues your baby provides in the stages when he or she is first starting to fuss.

If you wait too long before addressing the cries of a newborn, your baby may become inconsolable, no matter what the original cause of the crying. For cries that start in the middle of the night, it can be helpful to have a baby monitor. Adjusted to the proper volume you will be able to hear your baby’s first signs of distress, rather than being awakened by the crying of a little one who is so upset that comforting him or her is difficult at best.

Here are some of the most common reasons your baby may be crying, and ways to address the problem:

• “I’m hungry.”

Hunger cries are usually the first ones that mothers and fathers learn to recognize. Hungry babies may root around for the breast or bottle, and they may also gnaw on their fist in the middle of their “pre-cry” stage. Hunger cries tend to sound grumpy rather than piercingly loud.

• “I’m wet/dirty.”

Another of those grumpy-sounding cries, your newborn may be restless and squirmy due to the discomfort of a wet or dirty diaper. Discomfort from a dirty diaper may also interfere with your baby’s ability to enjoy his or her feeding, so be sure to check the diaper before you nurse the baby or offer a bottle.

• “I’m sleepy.”

This is yet another “grumpy” sort of cry, but sleepy babies often give other cues such as rubbing their eyes or yawning. Babies who have been awake for a while, and who have been recently fed are most likely to be sleepy. It’s important to address this cry as quickly as possible, since it becomes very difficult to soothe a baby to sleep if he or she has gotten to the point of crying loudly in frustration.

• “I’m in pain!”

Babies who are hurting, either from gas pain or more serious issues cry with a piercing wail. There is generally no build up – if the pain is sudden, the crying will be sudden as well. This means that you could go from having a peaceful little one to one that is crying inexplicably.  If your little one is not visibly hurt, the problem may be gassiness – try a warm bath or a tummy massage to ease the discomfort.

• “I’m stressed!”

This is not as piercing as a pain cry, but it can also come out of nowhere or with very little preamble. Babies who have been overstimulated (too many guests to visit, too many new noises, lights, etc.) may become agitated and cry for what seems like no reason at all. While it may be lovely to have all of the baby’s relatives over for a visit, keep in mind that baby may not be able to process so much social interaction without getting upset. In general, moving your little one to a calm, quiet environment will help.

There are no guarantees that your little one won’t have colic or colicky symptoms, but if you address these types of cries first, you stand a better chance of resolving these tearful moments sooner rather than later. Newborns’ crying can signal many different things, and it’s important to remember that colic is only one of those.