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Page 64
| Tummy Trouble: The Dirty Dozen |
| Colic |
| Colicspasmodic abdominal pains in young infants and children accompanied by irritability or cryingalso refers to conditions of flatulence and other symptoms of indigestion in infants up to three months in age. Its causes include overfeeding, swallowing air or emotional upset, but its primary cause is probably dietary. According to pediatrician Lendon Smith, cow's milk formulas such as SMA, Similac and Enfamil may precipitate colic, diarrhea, rashes, ear infections, asthma and other conditions in up to 50 percent of infants. Breastfed babies may be sensitive to something the mother just ate, a condition indicated by an irritated red ring around the rectum. Cow's milk, soy, corn, wheat and eggs are frequent offenders, while flatulence and gas can be caused by the mother eating garlic, onion, beans or cabbage. Dr. Smith recommends that nursing mothers avoid these foods and any others that seem to precipitate colic attacks. Chocolate, alcohol, coffee, spicy foods and excessive quantities of fruit are often cited as colic problems as well. |
| Traditional treatments for breastfeeding mothers include medicinal strength herbal teas made of catnip, cinnamon, dill, fennel, lemon balm and chamomile. The teas' soothing properties pass into breast milk and on to the baby's stomach. Weak or diluted teas can be given to babies by the |
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