‘Natural’ treatments for colic

• Formula and breastmilk can both be linked to colic symptoms, and it may be easier to try different winding techniques depending on the feeding method you choose.
• If you are expressing and feeding from a bottle, ensure a proper feeding technique by encouraging your baby to sit upright during and after her feeds.
• Some breastfeeding women find that cutting out certain foods from their diet helps their baby. These foods include spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol.
• Burp your baby frequently and use a bottle designed to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows.
• Parents who bottlefeed their babies may be recommended to try a different formula. Some parents find a hydrolysed formula can help, which can be recommended by your GP or Public Health Nurse.
• Aptamil Comfort is a partially hydrolysed formula. This means that the proteins are broken down to help your baby digest them more comfortably.
• Aptamil Comfort also contains a lower level of lactose. This is because some babies with colic have a difficulty in producing enough of the enzyme which breaks down the milk sugar & lactose. Therefore these babies can benefit from an infant formula that has some of the ‘work’ done for them already!
• Aptamil Comfort also has a special fat blend.

Soothing a colicky baby

• Try carrying your baby in a front sling or back pack, wrapping her snugly in a blanket or keeping her moving in a baby swing.
• Create a calm environment by turning off the TV, lowering the lights or playing soft music.
• Give your baby a warm bath.
• Take your baby for a walk or a drive. The movements can help her settle.
• You can also try placing her near continuous noise or vibrations from household appliances such as the washing machine. Or try taking her for a car ride. For some, tummy or back-rubs can also be very soothing.

When to see a doctor

Colic doesn’t normally require the doctor’s attention, but if you’re worried, do make an appointment to see your GP. Before your appointment make a note of your baby’s crying, eating, sleeping habits and their bowel movements to help your doctor to assess your baby correctly.

Regurgitation or gastro-oesophageal reflux

• Reflux describes what happens when your baby’s stomach contents come back up into the gullet or even into the mouth.
• The diaphragm normally acts like a valve stopping stomach contents from coming back up the oesophagus.
• In small babies the valve action of the diaphragm isn’t fully developed and acid is forced back up the oesophagus.
• The symptoms are the regurgitation of milk after a feed or hiccups in both formula and breast fed babies.
• Have a tissue or muslin cloth to hand to wipe up any mess.
• To help try holding your baby in an upright position for 20 minutes after each feed.
• If your baby is willing, try smaller but more frequent feeds.

Treatments for reflux

Your baby should be maintaining a steady and consistent weight gain. Speak to your Public Health Nurse or GP if your baby’s reflux regularly happens more than five times a day, if your baby cries excessively after feeds and vomits or coughs regularly.

Your baby may be referred to a specialist if there is doubt about the diagnosis, or if other symptoms are present such as anaemia, blood in the vomit or difficulty swallowing. But don’t worry these symptoms are very rare.

Help with regurgitation

Aptamil Comfort is a thicker feed, helping bottlefed babies with regurgitation. A thickened formula is recommended for regurgitation as it helps to improve the viscosity of the formula allowing your baby to take the milk feed more evenly. It also results in your baby swallowing less air. Because the milk feed is thicker, it is recommended to use a variable or fast flow teat.

How can I treat constipation

• Before you do anything, you should check with your GP or Public Health Nurse, and you may be asked to take your baby for an examination
• If you are not breastfeeding, you can still help your baby have a softer stool by choosing Aptamil Comfort.
• Aptamil Comfort is in bottlefed babies. Combined with the special fat blend, inspired by breastmilk, Aptamil Comfort also contains Immunofortis.
• Immunofortis is Aptamil’s patented mix of Prebiotics which helps to increase levels of good bacteria in the gut and reduce harmful bacteria, creating a healthy gut environment. A healthy gut will mean that your baby will pass softer, more liquid stools.

Treatment for Diarrhoea

Provide drinks of cooled, boiled water in between feeds to increase your baby’s overall fluid intake. Only use anti-diarrhoeal medicine if it’s prescribed by your GP.