Infant Colic & Reflux

• Baby colic/reflux is generally caused by an immature digestive tract and a sensitivity to milk (especially dairy).
• Characterised by lots of crying, squirming and inability to settle between feeds.
• Your baby may bring up milk (posset) or be sick between feeds.
• Often worse in the evening, although colic can occur after any feed.
• Reflux is worse for lying the baby down flat.
• Usually clears up by the time the baby is 3 months old; but can go on longer.
• Infant has sharp intermittent abdominal cramps: the pains come and go with varying intensity.
• Breast-feeding mothers need to watch their diet to ensure that food is digested properly; if the baby fails to respond to well-indicated homeopathic remedies, then it may be helpful to treat the mother as well.
• Culprit foods include cows milk, cheese, alcohol, tea, coffee, chocolate, spicy foods, onions, garlic, oranges, grapes; and vegetables from the cabbage family.
• Some bottle-fed babies are sensitive to cows milk as this contains complex proteins which are difficult to digest: consider switching to Nanny Goat Formula (goats' milk) or soya.
• Try to be as relaxed as possible during feeding: infants quickly pick up on a mother's stress or anxiety. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water.
• Massage the baby's tummy in a clockwise direction if colic occurs before passing a stool. Attending baby massage classes is an excellent way of learning techniques to calm and bond well with your baby.
• Make sure that the baby isn't thirsty: offer cool boiled water.
• Warmth can help; a warm bath has a relaxing effect.
• Antibiotics prescribed for mothers while breast-feeding may cause colic in their babies. Try to avoid antibiotics: seek the advice of a qualified homeopath instead. Antibiotics strip the gut of friendly bacteria which are needed to keep the immune system strong. Always use a good probiotic if you do need to resort to taking antibiotics.
• The conventional treatment for baby reflux is Gaviscon® and Rinitidine®. These are antiacidic drugs and are best avoided since they lower the acid content of the stomach which can give rise to further difficulties digesting milk and carbohydrates.

Homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies are gentle and effective in relieving the pains of colic. Give in 6c or 30c potency and repeat 3-4 times a day or when needed, for two days. If the colic is not relieved try another remedy or seek professional homeopathic advice.

Colocynthis

• The baby pulls her legs up, and the pain is relieved by being curled up or exerting pressure on the abdomen.

Nux Vomica

• Colic with difficult stool - straining - the child is irritable; worse if the breast-feeding mother drinks coffee, alcohol or diet coke (caffeine is a stimulant). Also useful if mother and/or baby have been given antibiotics.

Dioscorea

• Baby stretches her legs out or arches backwards to relieve the colic.

Carbo Veg

• Flatulent colic with a hard distended abdomen; WORSE from lying down; BETTER from passing wind.

Chamomilla

• The number one remedy for colic with teething; the child has an angry cry and cannot be satisfied; has one red cheek and may pass loose greenish stools.

Mag Phos

• Colicky pains similar to those relieved by Colocynthis, but better for warm applications.

Australian Bush Flower Essences

• Black-Eyed Susan, Crowea, Paw Paw

These are just a few of the tried and tested acute remedies for baby colic. Your local professional homeopath has other treatments and remedies should you fail to find relief for your baby.