Formula Feeding and Colic
These babies bring some different problems. Granted the baby's diet does not change, however, all formula contains iron. What does iron do? It hardens and stiffens the fecal material and causes constipation. Since the baby is already having intestinal problems and has excessive gas, it becomes very painful for a colicky baby to move its bowels.
A breastfed baby will normally move its bowels during nursing or right after, however, a bottle fed baby is lucky to have one every twelve or twenty-four hours. Many parents are told by their doctors that it is okay for a baby to go three and even up to five days without a bowel movement. My experience shows that a baby with more frequent bowel movements will respond faster to treatment and the colic can be alleviated much sooner. We have found that if we help the baby move it's bowels at least every twenty-four hours, the speed of recovery is much faster and the baby doesn't have to suffer near as long. There are a couple of ways to help the baby move its bowels.
1. You can use a rectal thermometer and periodically stimulate the rectum to increase peristaltic activity of the intestine.
2. You can use pediatric infant suppositories to help move the fecal material through the intestines.
People always ask, "won't my baby become dependent on these and make it so they have to be used all the time?" I would say that if you are doing the colic treatment as we have recommended it, it will help move the bowels better and more frequently, and since colic symptoms are alleviated in about two weeks, they will not become dependent in such a short period. It is so much better to help the baby move the bowels than it is to make them struggle, cry in severe pain, and aggravate the umbilical hernia. As a side benefit, the parents don't have to watch their baby suffer as much. This is one of the worst things young parents have to endure is to watch their baby scream and cry and not be able to help them.
There are a lot of home remedies, such as adding Karo syrup to the milk or apple juice. Will this hurt the baby? Will it work? My experience has shown mixed results. As long as you do no harm, it might be worth a try. Be careful not to use anything toxic or anything with Alcohol. Please remember that there are always side effects to drugs, so very careful and be very diligent. Lastly, there is a formula called 60-40, which contains a lower iron content. It is not usually stocked in the pharmacy but you can order it online.
A breastfed baby will normally move its bowels during nursing or right after, however, a bottle fed baby is lucky to have one every twelve or twenty-four hours. Many parents are told by their doctors that it is okay for a baby to go three and even up to five days without a bowel movement. My experience shows that a baby with more frequent bowel movements will respond faster to treatment and the colic can be alleviated much sooner. We have found that if we help the baby move it's bowels at least every twenty-four hours, the speed of recovery is much faster and the baby doesn't have to suffer near as long. There are a couple of ways to help the baby move its bowels.
1. You can use a rectal thermometer and periodically stimulate the rectum to increase peristaltic activity of the intestine.
2. You can use pediatric infant suppositories to help move the fecal material through the intestines.
People always ask, "won't my baby become dependent on these and make it so they have to be used all the time?" I would say that if you are doing the colic treatment as we have recommended it, it will help move the bowels better and more frequently, and since colic symptoms are alleviated in about two weeks, they will not become dependent in such a short period. It is so much better to help the baby move the bowels than it is to make them struggle, cry in severe pain, and aggravate the umbilical hernia. As a side benefit, the parents don't have to watch their baby suffer as much. This is one of the worst things young parents have to endure is to watch their baby scream and cry and not be able to help them.
There are a lot of home remedies, such as adding Karo syrup to the milk or apple juice. Will this hurt the baby? Will it work? My experience has shown mixed results. As long as you do no harm, it might be worth a try. Be careful not to use anything toxic or anything with Alcohol. Please remember that there are always side effects to drugs, so very careful and be very diligent. Lastly, there is a formula called 60-40, which contains a lower iron content. It is not usually stocked in the pharmacy but you can order it online.
