Kids: Brilliant Baby Cures
BABIES seem to cry for 101 different reasons – tummy ache, teething constipation, the list goes on and on.
As a result, a whole industry has sprung up devoted to calming your tot. But sometimes it’s the more quirky, practical DIY tips that bring comfort to both of you…
COLIC
IN adults, colic is a spasmodic abdominal pain but in babies is the name given to a pattern of crying which starts at around three weeks old and ends by three months. Theories about its cause include wind and an immature nervous system.
TRY THIS…
A 2ml dose of sugar solution dribbled into the side of the mouth (dissolve three teaspoons of sugar in a cup of boiling water and allow to cool). The taste may produce endorphins – natural "happy" chemicals – within the body.
Heat lavender oil in an oil burner. "It’s supposed to calm your baby," says Anna McGrail of internet parent guide Baby Centre, "but it may well calm you, too, which is just as helpful as if you’re upset and nervous, your baby will pick up on it."
SNUFFLES
A BLOCKED nose can make feeding and sleeping difficult for a baby. Don’t use anything containing menthol for babies under three months as it can irritate the thin membrane at the back of the nose.
TRY THIS…
Before feeding, use a cotton wool ball soaked in saline solution (mix one teaspoon of salt with 240ml boiling water and allow to cool) and put one or two drops into your baby’s nostrils. After a couple of minutes, the mucus blocking the nose will dissolve and you can suck it out with a nasal aspirator, advises maternity nurse Jo Tantum.
Before putting your baby to bed, boil a kettle in the room with the door closed. "It works like a humidifier, relieving congestion," says Jo.
CONSTIPATION
IF your baby is producing hard stools or dirtying fewer nappies, constipation is probably to blame.
TRY THIS…
30ml cooled boiled water first thing in the morning before a feed. If there’s no joy after the third day, add a teaspoon of fresh orange (strained to remove the pulp) or prune juice. "Giving them water first thing means it has all day to work," says Jo. "And if it’s before a feed, because they’re hungry, they’ll drink it before they’ve realised it’s not milk."
Bicycling your baby’s legs a couple of times a day before feeding should also get things moving.
TEETHING
For some babies, teething is painless, others are cranky for weeks. Symptoms include dribbling, sore gums, red cheeks, diarrhoea, slight temperature, loss of appetite and sleeplessness.
TRY THIS…
A wet facecloth, piece of muslin or terry-cloth toy placed in the fridge for 30 minutes makes a cooling teething aid.
With a clean finger, massage your baby’s gums gently but firmly. "For even more relief, spread teething gel on your finger," advises Baby Centre’s Anna McGrail.
NAPPY RASH
Skin becomes red and pimply or broken. The main cause is sitting in wet or dirty nappies, but if you your baby has sensitive skin or develops diarrhoea, an outbreak is likely.
TRY THIS…
"Nappy-off time". Both Anna and Jo agree it’s the best way once the bottom is really inflamed, but also a good preventative.
If you’re breastfeeding, apply a little breast milk to the sore area and leave to dry.
FURTHER INFO
Jo Tantum is co-author of Baby Secrets: How To Know Your Baby’s Needs (Penguin, pounds 8.99).
Anna McGrail is author of You And Your New Baby (Harper Collins, pounds 9.99) and Crying Baby (Thorsons, pounds 5.99).
www.babycentre.co.uk www.baby-secrets.info
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
Never be embarrassed to get advice from your GP if you are worried about your baby. It’s always best to have them checked out if there are signs he or she is unwell. These include…UNDER THREE MONTHS
Fever, vomiting, diarrhoea.
UNDER ONE YEAR
Temperature remains high for longer than 48 hours.
Temperature above 39C.
Fever is accompanied by symptoms such as breathing difficulties, stomach pain or difficulty passing urine.
Fever develops suddenly with a stiff neck, vomiting, light sensitivity or a rash.
Symptoms last for more than three days.
Convulsions.
Floppiness.