Cow & Gate

The feeding schedule you had may have just gone out the window.

It is worth knowing that this may occur so you can just increase the frequency of the feed and then allow the pattern to settle back after a few days.

Try giving the last feed of the day as late as possible, just before you got to bed. Before you know it, you and your baby will be enjoying an uninterrupted night's sleep!

The causes of colic are not fully understood, however there are a number of potential contributing factors. One is that your baby swallows too much air without burping causing his tummy to fill and stretch with wind - which is quite painful. Another is that your baby's bowels work too hard to remove waste from his body and start to cramp up.

How do I know if my baby has colic?

You'll recognise colic by a flushed face, clenched fists, and legs pulled up to the chest with 2 - 3 hour spells of loud crying, often 15 mins after feeding. Colic problems can occur any time in the first few weeks after birth and as a rule, will usually disappear by the time your baby is 3 months old.

How can I help ease my baby's pain?

It is comforting to know that colicky babies do not have any lasting problems once the colic stops, but it can be very hard to listen to the long periods of crying every day.

Here are some practical tips to help comfort your crying baby:

• Give your baby a nice warm bath and then swaddle him in a warm blanket.
• Gently massage your baby's tummy in a clockwise direction.
• Ask your Public Health Nurse to show you different winding techniques.
• "Cycle" with your baby's legs.
• Rock your baby back and forth or pop them in the car for a drive - the movement can help settle them.

If you have any worries about your baby's health, it's always best to talk to your health visitor, public health nurse or GP.

A small amount of liquid looks like a lot when it spills (spill 2 or 3 teaspoons of milk onto the kitchen table and see how it looks). There's really no need to worry if your baby is growing well and thriving. Babies who do this tend to continue until about 6 months of age so do invest in lots of bibs and cloths to protect both of you!

Some babies are quite happy to suck away and complete the feed in one go, while other babies may require winding in between feeds. Sit your baby upright on your lap, encircling him with your arm…

Allow him to lean forward slightly, so that his tummy rests against your arm. This position will gently compress his abdomen which may help to bring up the wind. At the end of the feed cuddle your baby close and you may find you will get a sleepy burp!

Constipated babies pass small, hard stools with straining or difficulty…

Constipation may be caused by a number of things including a change of diet, dehydration or a minor illness like a cold. It is rarely seen in breastfed babies, however if bottle feeding, using a formula with prebiotics may help, as it soften baby's stools.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• Give your baby extra drinks of cooled, boiled water.
• Underfeeding may lead to constipation – make sure you are feeding your baby enough (see 'how many bottles does my baby need?').
• Make sure that bottles are being made correctly - too much infant milk powder will make the feed too concentrated.
• Gently massage your baby's tummy in a clockwise direction.
• "Cycle" with your baby's legs.

If you have any worries about your baby's health, it's always best to talk to your health visitor, public health nurse or GP.

The foods that most commonly cause an allergic reaction include peanuts, nuts, sesame seeds, eggs, milk, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat and citrus fruits.

Food allergies are more likely to develop in early life when your baby’s immune system is still undeveloped. There’s really no reason to be particularly concerned about your baby developing a food allergy unless there is a history of allergy in your family. If you are one of the ‘at risk’ families then delay the introduction of the offending food. For example, if you are concerned about egg allergy, do not offer eggs to your baby until 1 year instead of any earlier.

Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is quite rare, affecting only 2 to 3% of babies in their first year, with most babies growing out of it by the time they are 3 years old.

If you have any worries about your baby's health, it's always best to talk to your health visitor, public health nurse or GP.

Such reactions do not involve the immune system and are called food intolerances. One of the most common food intolerances among babies is lactose intolerance.

If your baby has lactose intolerance, it means that he cannot digest the natural sugar (lactose) found in breast milk and cows milk. Undigested lactose can result in bloating and excess wind, leading to considerable digestive discomfort in your baby. Lactose intolerance can also occur after a severe bout of diarrhoea.

If you suspect your baby to be lactose intolerant, consult your Health Care Professional.

Don't rush it - up until 6 months, your baby's body is too delicate for anything more than breast or formula milks, which will give your baby all of the energy and nutrients he needs…

And while you will hear lots of conflicting advice from grandparents and aunts, hold firm and remind them gently that your baby is not ready for spoon feeds before 4 months of age.