A CHECKLIST
Immediate Support for Unhappy Tummies
Newborns, with their immature digestive systems are easily uncomfortable. Newly postpartum mothers sometimes don't know the basics, so we start here. When Baby cries and pulls his legs up to his tummy, or stiffens legs out, maybe twisting and arching too, this means discomfort in the tummy, and usually gas. The arching may also be from needing to bend his spine the other way, but not as such a constant.
- Burping. Forgive me, but I didn’t know about it, with my firstborn! Many babies don't need a hard pounding, sometimes a gentle patting or rubbing gives better support.
- Gently bouncing, and nursing at an angle (feet down) help the air bubbles ingested to work back out most comfortably, the short way.
- Daily warm oil massage for Baby helps prevent digestive and emotional problems. It also helps reverse colic and constipation. Cured sesame oil or sunflower or olive (more cooling) is usually excellent, but use what you have. Avoid nut oils.
- Constipation is, according to western experts, not considered a problem for breastfed babies even after several days. But watch your baby! Babies, like adults, will get uncomfortable both physically and emotionally if more than a day goes by (even less!). Dip your little finger in some ghee or castor oil and let your baby suck it or rub around your nipple just that small amount. You can also gently rub some oil or ghee around baby’s anus so he feels relaxed. Occasionally babies will need an oily finger inserted rectally to facilitate a first bowel movement due to tissues being not quite properly formed.
- For formula fed babies, know it is still about the same principles. New research findings from the Netherlands suggest that a hydrolyzed whey protein-based formula may help reduce colic over a standard cow’s milk-based formula. “Colic is defined as excessive and inconsolable crying that lasts at least 3 hours a day for 3 days in one week, for a period of more than 3 weeks. The cause is unknown, but it tends to taper off after 4 – 5 months of age.”[3]
Try these things for Baby's more immediate comfort:
- Tummy massage: About 9 gentle circles right to left (clockwise); cover with warm wash cloth for about 5 minutes or more.
- Apply a warm cloth or baby hot water bottle (warm, not hot water), 10 – 15 minutes. Castor oil is especially effective with warm compresses. A drop of essential oil as below can be added to.
- Baby exercises will feel good to a gassy tummy and help expel gas. They can be done any time of day, but allow ½ hour after nursing, and be sure to loosen her diaper.
- After two weeks of age, allow at least two hours between feedings to be sure fresh milk does not enter on top of sour milk in the digestive tract and create gas. When growth-spurting, this time frame may be just a little shorter, but it is not necessarily indicated even then. (You will just have to be more creative!)
- Fennel seed or dill seed tea is very helpful for relieving gas and intestinal cramping. This can be given directly to Baby, and are a little more soothing than chamomile or catnip or mint which are often recommended by western herbalism. Make it fresh daily: Bring 1 teaspoon to boil in 1 cup water. Steep and strain. Refrigerate extra for later in the day if needed. A few drops may be all that is needed or a small bottle is fine if your baby wants more.
- For other herbal support for Baby, “Herbs are best given to the mother so that their active principles emerge, made milder, in her milk.”[1]
- For stronger and immediate digestive and gas assistance, grade A organic essential oils[2] of fennel, dill, chamomile, basil, marjoram, nutmeg, ginger, or a blend such as “DiGize” from Young Living Oils can be diluted with about 3 drops vegetable oil and massaged into Baby’s tummy and/or feet. Be careful with mints and ginger, as they can sting when undiluted a little. Avoid getting on Baby’s hands or feet – those little hands go into mouth and eyes too quickly!
- Note that midwife Robin Lim has a wonderful, so dear and valuable section on physically and emotionally handling a baby with colic. I must also warn that she has no explanation for the source of colic, and her recipes will unfortunately contribute to unhappy tummies.
Influences from Mom’s side:
- Is your food being well digested? This will greatly affect both the quality of breast milk and of rejuvenation. Review the "Cooking for Postpartum Moms" tip sheet for keys you may be overlooking.
- A newborn’s system is immature and soothing, appropriate nutrition for mom will help minimize difficulties for baby through your breast milk.
- Is baby getting hind milk? Switching breasts too soon will keep Baby from benefitting from the fat rich part of the breast milk.
- Are meals fresh, well cooked, delicious, satisfying, and taken in a pleasant environment? These things truely can make a difference. Foods handled well the day they are cooked are guaranteed to produce gas the next day as leftovers.
- Are foods selectedtaken in good combination, and selected from the Foods to favor list for postpartum mothers? Look over this list carefully.
- Dry, astringent, or hard to digest foods Mom ingested can create experience of dryness and astringent cramping in babies as well as the gas pains going through a drier bowel.
- Could there be some aspect of family needs, routine or meal schedule bringing an upsetting influence? Ask your best girlfriend to organize friends to help with the load. Your husband needs support too.
- How are your emotions? Rest? Talk with someone to sort it out and get whatever help you need, in simple and practical terms. Not a shrink; you need on the job support!
- Be sure also there is enough WARM fluids and simple water intake. Try only warm water/teas for a couple days.
From The Keys to Postnatal Rejuvenation - "42 Days for 42 Years" Ysha Oakes
[1] Ravi Svoboda, Ayurveda – Life, Health and Longevity.
[2] Click on BASICS for more information.
[3] Pediatrics, December 2000; 106:1349-1354
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