More 4 Mums Blog

I recently read an article on the Guardian Online entitled “Breastfeeding Under wraps”.  The article starts with:

Hooter Hiders, enormous tent-like accessories used to cover up breastfeeding are suddenly much in demand. Are they a brilliant idea, or a huge step backwards?

Now I must admit I find the phrase “Hooter Hiders” a little bit American and crude however it is an interesting article.  I think that anything that supports breastfeeding mums should be encouraged.  New mums don’t want to be stuck at home all day and many feel very self conscious breastfeeding in public.  If it gives a new mum more confidence to continue then it can only be a good thing.

At More 4 mums we sell the Mamascarf as mentioned in the article.  We also stock the Baby BuBu Nursing covers, pictured in cow print. There is also the Baby BuBu Poncho’s which were very popular last winter as they cover up mum and keep baby warm.  Poncho’s are going to be in fashion this winter so it will have a dual purpose, buy one now before they sell out !.

If you prefer not to use a cover you may want to take a look at our Breastvest Nursing Tummy Cover that allows you to cover your post-birth tummy and nurse in your own clothes.

What ever you decide is best for you please do your best to support other mums – we need to look after each other !

You can read the full article here Breastfeeding under Wraps

Colic is a condition where there are repeated bouts of excessive crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy and thriving. The definition doctors use is: a baby crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for at least three weeks. Colic is common and distressing. However, it usually goes away by the age of 3-4 months.

Do you have any helpful tips?  Please leave a comment and share with us.

Ways that may help to ease colic in some cases, and some tips on how to cope, are given below:

What causes colic?

The cause is not clear. The term ‘colic’ is used as it is thought the baby has pain in the abdomen. Research suggests this may be related to a change in the level of hormones that control the movement of gut muscles. Smoking during pregnancy and being in a smokey atmosphere (passive smoking) seem to increase the risk; these risks seem to have less effect however in breastfed babies. Some parents feel that they have done something wrong in some way. This is not the case.

Helping colicky babies and their parents

There is no treatment that cures colic. Every parent has their own way of coping and may find different things helpful. Try not to despair. You have to remember that there is nothing that you have done to cause the colic. Also, that colic usually goes away by 3-4 months of age, often much sooner.

One or more of the following may help.

• Check for causes of discomfort
  Make sure the baby is not cold, is not hungry, and is changed often enough.
• Reducing anxiety
  Even new-born babies may sense anxiety. This can make things worse. Try to create a relaxed atmosphere. If possible, have a rest and meal before the colic begins (usually in the evening). The more rested and relaxed you are, the better you will be able to cope.  Colic happens more frequently when the mother has post-nasal depression or feels very down after the baby was born. If this is the case, see your doctor for some help.
• Soothing
  It is natural to try and soothe a crying baby. Holding a baby through the crying episode may help to soothe. However, a colicky baby may simply not be comforted or soothed. At such times it is acceptable to leave a baby to cry for short periods if you are satisfied that he or she is not hungry, too cold, too hot, wet, or unwell. Remember – never shake a baby. If you need a break from the crying, or if you feel at the end of your tether, gently place the baby in his or her cot and leave the room for around 10 minutes. You could then do something which will help you – perhaps have a cup of tea, a snack or phone a friend.
• Time-out
  Friends or other family members may be willing to help. However, try to avoid several people fussing at once as this may cause anxiety. It may be sensible to leave the coping to one person at a time. Take it in turns if you have help. If possible, it is good to have ‘time-out’ and leave someone else to look after your baby for a few hours.  If you have a partner it can be worth taking it in turns to do the ‘night shift’. Many mums, even with partners, always try to do the nights themselves. This can be exhausting. It may be sensible to take it in turns to get a good night’s sleep. If you are breastfeeding, you may be able to express enough milk in the day for a feed to be given in the night by your partner.
• Lactose intolerance
  Research suggests that some babies with colic may be intolerant to lactose. Changing from cow’s milk to mIlk which is free or low in lactose can be tried (for example, soya milk or casein hydrolysate milk). These milks are sometimes called hypoallergenic. Another method which can be tried is to add lactase drops to the milk which breaks down lactose. Once things settle down you should try the baby with ordinary milk again, as lactose may play a part in keeping the bowel healthy in the long term.
• The diet of breastfeeding mothers
  If you breastfeed, there’s some evidence that it may help if you do not have cow’s milk, dairy products, eggs, wheat, nuts and caffeine (which can also be found in some painkillers). Some women find cutting out spices or garlic is also helpful, although there’s little scientific support for this. If there’s no improvement after you’ve made changes for a week, go back to your normal diet.
• What about medicines?
  If simple things don’t work, you could try a medicine called simeticone. Probiotics may be helpful. Dicycloverine used to be used but is now considered unsafe. Some people find gripe water helpful, but its use is not supported by research.

Popular but non-proven advice

The following tips are often given. However, the advice is based on individual experiences and no research studies have proved that they help. So, they may or may not help.

• Noise
  Some people say that ‘white noise’ helps to soothe colicky babies. White noise is background, non-specific noise such as that made by vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc. You can even buy CDs of white noise which claim to soothe crying babies. There is a lack of research that proves that this works in most babies, but it may be worth a try.
• Rides and carrying
  Crying babies may settle on car journeys. It is possibly the white noise of the car engine and the gentle movements of the car that do the trick. Pram rides seem good too – it may be the movement that helps to soothe some babies. Or, simply walking with the baby in a sling or baby carrier may help to soothe.
• Complementary and alternative remedies
  Many alternative therapies are promoted and advertised for colic. Apart from a technique called minimal acupuncture (which involves very light pressure on the backs of the child’s hands) none have been proved to be effective with research studies, and they may be expensive. Note: not all alternative therapies are without risk. For example, some herbal products such as star anise have caused serious reactions in some babies, and are not recommended.

Do you have any helpful tips?  Please leave a comment and share with us.