SO WHAT TO DO?

Dr Marinus, affectionately known across South Africa as Dr Colic, has the following tips for treating your baby once colic has been diagnosed:

CORRECT WINDING

Winds that remain unbroken create unnecessary overstimulation within your child and don’t allow her to relax into the deep sleep she requires. Break a feed at least once to get one burp out, followed by some active burping at the end of the feed.

Don’t give up too quickly. Persevere until you find the method that fits you and your baby. Try putting baby flat on her back during the winding and bicycle her legs for five to ten seconds, as this releases gas pockets from the dome of the stomach.

MEDICATIONS

The shelves are teeming with various colic concoctions and infant pain relieving medications. Most of them, however, are specific and relate to certain conditions only. Do your research on over-the-counter medications before you buy any and if you’re still unsure, contact your local baby clinic for advice.

When consulting your paediatrician, make a note of what medications do what and how they could possibly interact with each other so you know what to expect.

DIET

The latest research suggests that only 15% of breastfed babies have a reaction to what their mother eats. Having said that, if your baby is within this 15% then your diet becomes extremely important. A good rule of thumb is to stay clear of know trouble foods such as: dairy, chocolate, citrus, caffeine, peanuts and leafy greens.

MANUAL THERAPY

Manual therapy, such as chiropractic and craniosacral treatments, is aimed at reducing the birth stress on a baby’s spinal joints and muscles, and regulating the nerve flow from the spine to the rest of the body. This allows baby to regulate her bodily functions (in this case the gastrointestinal tract) more effectively.