Show Have you ever wished your baby came with an instruction manual? I know when my first child was a baby, I sure did! Some things are easy to figure out -- like that a diaper needs changing when wet or full -- but some things are much harder to figure out, like when your baby is crying. When my daughter came to us, she was definitely a textbook “high needs” and “fussy” baby. So I’ve learned a lot about high-needs babies during my journey parenting her, her somewhat more settled brother, and finally in my role as a Breastfeeding USA Counselor. It is a natural response for parents to be troubled by unsettled behavior in their babies. I know my head started spinning with questions, grasping at causes and effects, desperately wanting to try to make it better again: Why was she crying? Was it something I ate or drank? Was there anything I could do or give her to make it better? When will she stop? Her little legs would curl up and her hands were closed in tight fists as she cried. This was where advice and folklore collided as it seemed everyone, from my baby’s doctor to my neighbor, felt the need to share their “colic remedies” with me. Some suggestions I tried, while others did not personally resonate with me (the vibrating baby-belts and mattress pads, for example). I probably heard hundreds of ideas. So, what do you do what you’ve fed her, changed her diaper, checked that she’s not too hot or cold, burped her, swaddled her, rocked her, sung to her and she’s still fussy? What are some basic things to know about fussiness in breastfed babies? Another important thing to know is that in very young babies, while parents are still learning baby’s cues, fussing and hunger can sometimes be confused. Sometimes babies can behave very “colicky” if they are hungry or are going through a growth spurt and just want to comfort nurse but are instead really having to work for the milk. It’s also normal for your baby to tend to “cluster-up” feedings in the evening hours. Look to your baby’s weight gain pattern for reassurance. After your colostrum begins to transition to mature milk, full-term babies under 4 months of age should be gaining roughly 5-7oz per week. If your colicky baby is gaining weight more slowly or much, much more quickly than that, it’s a good idea to reach out to a Breastfeeding USA Counselor to see if breastfeeding needs a closer look and of course, consult with your baby’s doctor. What are some things I can do to reduce fussiness, gas, or colic in my breastfed baby?
What about gas drops and gripe waters?
What about manually relieving gas? When is it more than normal “fussiness”?
I am happy to report that after much sleuthing my first "fussy baby" and I did eventually get to the underlying cause of what was bothering her: a cow’s milk intolerance AND a tongue tie! But, I didn’t figure them both out during her first year of life, and it was a very rough, sleepless time period for our family. In my role as a Breastfeeding USA Counselor, I like to share resources with parents who may be dealing with a fussy baby of their own, because I understand it can be very stressful on the whole family when the newest member (or members!) of the family are unhappy. In addition to the information above, some of my favorite resources are The Fussy Baby Network that offers phone support nationwide and also Dr. Sears’ The Fussy Baby Book, which is older, but provides some worthwhile information and a much-needed pep talk for families living with a fussy member of the household. Elise Fulara is a Breastfeeding USA Counselor in the suburbs of Chicago. She is the mother of two growing children who were breastfed as babies, and has been involved in supporting and advocating for breastfeeding families in the Chicago area since 2010. © 2016 Breastfeeding USA, all rights are reserved. Can vitamin D drops make baby fussy?There were also reports of toddlers that had vitamin D toxicity from over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin D overdose within the United States. They presented with symptoms of irritability, vomiting, constipation, and hypertension.
Do vitamin D drops help with colic?The other solution contains vitamin D which supports the recommendation that exclusively breastfed babies receive additional vitamin D supplementation. 2 The product provides 200 IU vitamin D with the added benefit of alleviating colic – empowering parents and caregivers to reduce the occurrence of the condition.
Can a baby be allergic to vitamin D drops?A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
Do vitamin D drops make baby constipated?Too much vitamin D can cause a number of side effects including nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, muscle and joint aches, constipation and frequent urination.
|