COLICKY BABIES

It is far too easy to say nothing can be done for a colicky baby but let us look deeper into this issue.

This condition of no known cause makes babies crabby, often to the point of hysterical crying for long periods and difficult to soothe. On the positive, most pediatricians do not prescribe drugs. On the negative side, they are completely in the dark as to the real causes of this phenomenon.

One major cause of colic is nutritional deficiency- in other words the baby is starving! But how can this be? The baby is either at the breast or getting the best scientific formula available. Well, baby formula is a poor substitute for real nutrition. They all lack omega-3 fatty acid nutrition-essential to the developing brain and nervous system of the baby. And today some pediatricians are even prescribing low –fat milk for babies-when they need plenty of fat!

If you are producing plenty of breast milk but still seem to have a colicky baby, here’s a real tip. Some babies do not feed long enough to get the fatty milk that comes at the end of the nursing. If this is the case they are only getting the sugary lactose rich thin milk- in effect starving their brain and nervous system. Do not make this mistake for colic. This is starvation! Try nursing one side only per feeding. This will help the baby get the richest milk that comes at the end. If the colic continues, you will need to institute immediately a home made whole milk ( preferably raw) formula that will provide what your baby needs. And if this is the case, the response will be immediate and dramatic.

Be careful not to ignore the other major cause of screaming babies- physical pain from the birthing process. Today babies are often suctioned out, grabbed with forceps, and brought into this world with trauma- to the point of dislocated or broken bones. These babies need a Chiropractor to analyze the spine and give an adjustment to correct the injury. Very gentile techniques for babies are used that are low pressure and painless. I have seen amazing results from an adjustment. In theses cases the crying was the result of pain.

Dwight Schaefer, D.C.

15610 N 35^th Ave. #9

Phoenix, AZ. 85053

602-548-6100