Dealing With Baby Colic Without Going Crazy

Everyone is excited when a new baby comes home from the hospital. With the new arrival, it is expected that there will be some sleepless night and adjustments to new schedules. Most of the time parents and baby make the transition without a lot of drama or mental frustration. However, there are times when it seems that the newest little family member isn't quite as content as everyone had hoped they would be. And when baby is not happy-no one is happy! A baby's symptoms can be demonstrated in many ways, such as constant crying, gastrointestinal discomfort, flatulence, and even failure to nurse properly. The source of baby's discomfort can be an all too common condition called colic. The symptoms of colic often seem to appear from birth-or at least as soon as parents arrive at home, and can last for months.

Some parents may resign themselves to the fact that it's just colic and it will go away over time. Others may resort to one of the many "home remedies" that will inevitably be offered up as helpful advice by well-meaning family members or friends. And while colic may not be a life threatening condition in babies, it is certainly one that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Parents should consult a qualified medical professional for advice and treatment options.

All parents want healthy, happy babies. One option that parents may find to be helpful is osteopathic treatment. It involves gentle, non-invasive, manipulation techniques intended to bring about a balance among all of the body's system, such as circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, etc. Upon visiting with a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), parents may learn that during the birthing process the child may have experienced stress and strain that now manifests itself as colic. Treatment may help alleviate this discomfort. For instance, if the baby can only turn their head in one direction because of the way they exited the birth canal, it may make proper breastfeeding difficult. When babies trap too much air on their stomachs during feeding, or can't nurse well enough to get full, they are uncomfortable and cranky-and rightly so. Treatment can frequently bring about relief for both baby and parent.

Prior to treatment, the DO will consult with the parent to get a detailed account of symptoms, the baby's medical history, as well as the mother's medical and obstetric history. The child is also thoroughly examined to assess their condition and determine the primary areas of discomfort. Generally speaking, the treatments may include methods like very light pressure and soft tissue massage. Manipulation for babies is very gentle and often seems to relax them-even to the point where they may fall asleep either during or after treatment. Parents may often find that they are more comfortable as well with these treatment methodologies since they are non-invasive.

If your little one seems to be constantly irritable, or otherwise showing signs of colic and is unresponsive to your efforts to soothe contact http://www.drmcreynolds.com.