Читать книгу Sister Lilian’s Babycare Companion: Complimentary and traditional care - Lilian Paramor - Страница 62

If it seems that Baby’s unhappiness and pain is always centred on feeding times and only suckling brings relief, the problem might simply be hunger. This usually has its origins in misunderstanding a baby’s natural feeding patterns. Frequently the problem begins in the clinic when moms are taught to time Baby at the breast and to feed according to a schedule. Colic often only starts at about ten days to three weeks and Baby appears to be frustrated and angry, going red in his scrunched-up face, balling his fists and pulling up his legs. Hungry babies are often very windy, to the top and the bottom, and when they cry it is a strident sound. This is probably one of the more easily treated versions of colic, if one is prepared to let go of old ideas.

Try these tips:

•Do not adhere to schedule feeding from Day One – rather observe your baby’s hunger pattern emerging and feed when necessary.

•Remember that breast babies often need to feed two-hourly for a number of feeds and then take a slightly longer break.

•Breast babies also tend to feed in ‘courses’ – allow them to do this, which will involve a few rest periods between bouts of suckling, before the feed is really over.

•Formula babies also often need to feed very differently from the way generally advised. One practical way of dealing with this is to make up more bottles containing smaller amounts of formula milk, and if Baby seems hungry at the end of a feed, to give another bottle. The overall amount of milk might well be the same but your baby is trying to give you the message that he’d like to feed in response to hunger rather than the clock.

•If you feel that your milk supply is down, rest more, feed more frequently for a few days to build up your supplies and drink more fluids (whenever you are thirsty have water or rooibos tea).

•These babies often respond well to the homeopathic remedies ColicCare and Rescue Digest.