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The Dreaded “4-Month Sleep Regression” – What it is, why it is inevitable and how to navigate it.

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Newborn Sleep

There is no doubting that newborn sleep can be a challenge! However, by around 12 weeks old, many babies will be taking a solid block of overnight sleep which may be 6 or 7 hours, and occasionally even longer than that.

This rapid progress from a period of two-hourly wake-ups often leads parents to believe they have overcome the trickiest phase of baby sleep. Yet they may notice friends with slightly older children look decidedly shifty whenever the subject of sleep crops up. This is because those friends know what is lurking – the parental blackhole that is the Four. Month. Sleep. Regression…

Newborn sleep, although taken in small chunks, is actually wonderfully simple in structure. In those early months babies go from awake to a fairly deep sleep remarkably quickly without much lighter sleep in between. They can be placed down, already fast asleep, and stay that way for several hours.

 

The inevitable change

Somewhere in the first 6 months (most commonly around month four), a child’s sleep, inevitably and permanently, matures and they begin to sleep in a more organised pattern, cycling through longer periods of lighter sleep every 45-60 minutes.

During these cycle changes, a child who has a sleep crutch or association – something they need in order to fall asleep – is more likely to wake as they realise the crutch is missing. This can lead some little ones to wake every hour! Others will be able to navigate their way through some transitions (especially in the first half of the night when tiredness does a better job of keeping them asleep) but not consistently and may still wake three, four or even five times through the night. Common sleep associations are being on the breast or bottle and being rocked by a parent.

More wake-ups means more resettles which typically further ingrains whatever sleep association(s) the child has. So for a little one who falls asleep whilst being rocked or fed, each waking is likely to be met with a feed or more rocking. This reinforces to a little one that this is how they fall asleep and they become more dependent on the sleep association.

There is a need for two words of caution here…

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with feeding or rocking your baby to sleep. Nothing at all. What a parent needs to be aware of however is that once a child’s sleep pattern has matured, they will wake in the night – it is a normal biological function. If a child is fed or rocked to sleep at bedtime they will most likely need this every time they wake in the night because they haven’t learned the skill of settling to sleep without that help. It is unfair to expect a little one to resettle in the night with less help than they had at bedtime.

Secondly, in the first year, babies will need night-feeds and I am certainly not saying they shouldn’t be given them! Babies absolutely can be fed in the night without having a dependency on that to fall asleep. It is helpful to ask yourself whether your baby ever (day or night) falls asleep other than on a feed. If the answer is no then it may be that the feed is something your little one, currently, cannot fall asleep without.

 

And if that wasn’t enough…

There is also a lot going on developmentally for babies around the four-month mark. Some are babbling, many are rolling, and all are increasingly fascinated with the world around them. Babies make huge leaps forward in their early months and unsurprisingly this can be unsettling for them. Clinginess, fussiness and increased waking are very normal and natural side-effects of this amazing development.

 

Practice, practice, practice

You might be wondering what you can do to lessen the impact of this sleep milestone. The answer really depends on when you are reading this! If your little one is under four months then try to get into the habit of feeding on waking throughout the day. This gives an opportunity for a little one to experiencing falling asleep other than on the breast or bottle. I don’t, however, recommend feeding to a schedule and the nature of on-demand feeding (which I absolutely do endorse) will mean that sometimes this varies!

You can also try placing your baby down drowsy but awake for naps and at bedtime. Some little ones are fairly adaptable and, when comforted and supported from the cot-side, are amenable to falling asleep in this way. Others will be less keen and if it’s clear after being down for a minute or two that a little one isn’t happy then I wouldn’t push it – in that scenario I would advise picking the baby up and rocking to sleep. It is worth continuing to try putting your baby down awake (always responding quickly and never allowing the baby to become distressed), even if it’s only once a day, as several short practices often accumulate to a little one learning to fall asleep in a new way.

 

It’s never too late

If the regression has already hit and your little one’s sleep habits have changed literally overnight, this is not the time to ask something new of them. The trickiest part of significant development leaps typically last for a week or two. Wonder Weeks is a fantastic resource to understand what is going on for your baby and when. If you are at the peak of the stormy period then get through however you can then review the sleep position. If you are happy helping your child to resettle in the night then there is no reason to change things. On the other hand, if you feel the time is right to help your little one learn how to sleep a little more independently and your child is over the age of 18 weeks, you could consider some gentle sleep-coaching. The emphasis here is on the word gentle – sleep-training should never be an ordeal for either you or your child.

 

Little Sleep Stars creates gentle, bespoke sleep plans to enable babies and children up to 6 years to reach their sleep potential. The business is owned by Lauren Peacock, a former tired mummy who was never prepared to leave her own little boy to cry. Through a detailed assessment and consultation process, Lauren is able to identify what is causing an individual child to struggle to sleep well. No two children are the same and nor are any two sleep plans but with right, tailored and gentle plan in place, any child can learn to sleep well. All consultations are carried out using web-based video-conferencing, enabling Lauren to work with clients throughout the UK and even overseas. Little Sleep Stars offers a free, no obligation, 15 minute call to any family needing support with their child’s sleep so to take the first step on the path to better rest for your whole family get in touch today.

 

Click here to claim your FREE 15 minute call with Lauren

 

www.littlesleepstars.com 

lauren@littlesleepstars.com

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlesleepstars/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_sleep_stars/4 month sleep regression

My Holiday Checklist

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So you are off on your first family holiday. As well as being a very exciting time it can be rather daunting too. Your panicking about forgetting the essentials for your baby and let’s face it babies never travel light.

Now take a deep breath and count to 5… 1…. 2…. 3…. 4…. 5…. OK…. Now You must remember that if you do forget anything there are shops abroad and it is not the end of the world.

I have put together a checklist with some of the items you may need for your holiday abroad;

Travel Documents and Money

Tickets and hotel reservations

Hire car documents

Passports

Emergency contact info

Medical insurance card

Travel insurance

Car insurance if required

Cash (both Sterling and destination currency)

Credit Cards/ Debit Card/ Travellers Cheques

Driving Licence

Travel Items

Car Seat

Push chair plus umbrella to keep sun off

Blanket

Baby sling

Readymade milks for the journey

Snacks

Calpol

Glasses

Sunglasses

Sun hat and sun cream for you and baby

Changing Bag including wipes, nappies, nappy sacks, changing mat, muslins

Travel Cot (if required)

Toys and book for the flight

A change of baby clothes and a change of top for you

A plastic bag for numerous emergency uses

Cotton wool

Earbuds

Food

Ready-made formula

Formula powder/ breast pump

Bottles/teats

Bottle warmer

Bibs

Jars and tubs of baby food/ food pouches

Snacks e.g. raisins or fruit bars

Any feeding equipment you might need for the journey (bibs, spoons, wipes, beakers)

Picnic Bag for taking your own lunch to the beach

Hand-held blender (EKG)

Sterilising equipment (EKG)

Child cutlery, bowls, cups and plates (EKG)

Washing up liquid

Sterilising equipment

Electricals

Phone/ tablet/ laptop/Kindle/ video recorder/ iPod/ camera

Batteries (put in hand luggage only)

Chargers

Headphones

Universal plug adapter

Hairdryer and Straighteners

For Baby

Arm bands

Dummies

Toddler reins

Beach towels if your hotel doesn’t provide them

UVA protection pop up tent

Plastic bags for unexpected emergencies

Cot and cot linen

Changing mat

Baby monitor

Stair Gates

Potty

Bath Toys

Toys and books for your holiday

Toiletries

Nappies, bum cream, nappy bags, wipes, travel changing mat etc.

Swimming nappies

Toothbrushes and toothpaste and dental floss

Contact lenses equipment

Deodorant

Hand sanitiser

Shampoo and Conditioner

Sponge, baby wash, baby shampoo and lotion

Shower Gel

Hairbrush

Cleanser/ moisturiser

Shaving Cream/ razors

Perfume

Ladies hygiene products

Medication

Makeup/ makeup remover

Talcum powder for getting rid of sand at the beach

Nail clippers/ nail file

Tissues

Sun creams (both adults and baby)

After sun

Insect repellent/ after bite for insect bites

First aid kit including pain relief, Calpol etc.

Plasters

Hair products

Bags

Handbags

Beach bags/day bags

Changing bag

Toddler rucksacks

Cooler bags for food

Clothes

A shawl or scarf

Cool clothes for baby during the day

Warm clothes for baby at night

Socks

Blankets

Sleep suits

Sun hats

Sunglasses

Goggles

Underwear

Socks

PJ’s

Dressing gown

Shirts/ Tops

Jumpers

Trousers

Dresses

Skirts/ shorts

Jackets/coats

Swimsuits

Shoes (sandals, dress shoes, trainers etc.)

Belts

Watches & Jewellery

Postpartum Preeclampsia

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Pre-eclampsia is a medical disorder that occurs during pregnancy and the cause of pre-eclampsia is not fully understood. Early signs of pre-eclampsia are increased blood pressure or protein found in the urine and these are checked at your antenatal appointment. Pre-eclampsia can occur from the 20th week of pregnancy. however in most cases pre-eclampsia occurs during the third trimester. Further symptoms can develop such as; kidney dysfunction, swelling, visual problems, low blood platelet count or inability to breathe properly.

But what is postpartum pre-eclampsia is and how does it happen?

Postpartum pre-eclampsia is a very rare condition which affects around 600 women a year. In general, cases of postpartum pre-eclampsia start developing within forty-eight hours following childbirth. But, postpartum pre-eclampsia can also develop up to six weeks after birth and is known as late postpartum pre-eclampsia. Preeclampsia is usually cured once the baby is born, but postpartum preeclampsia comes  does not occur until after the baby is born.

Postpartum preeclampsia is not a medical disorder that a patient can diagnose themselves. Unfortunately, most women will not have any symptoms during their pregnancy or even after childbirth. In most cases women are totally unaware that this could happen to them and do not look out for the symptoms as they are focusing on a full recovery and their new baby.

If you have recently had a baby (within the last 6 weeks) and you are experiencing the following; high blood pressure, headaches, blurred vision, swollen limbs and face, gained weight, nausea or decreased urination please book an appointment with your GP or mention it to your health visitor so that they can rule out postpartum pre-eclampsia.

Women who have a family history of pre-eclampsia are at higher risk of developing the condition. It occurs more often in women who are overweight or women under the age of twenty or above the age of forty.

When Can a Baby’s Gender Be Determined

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Desperate to know pink or blue? Will you be buying pretty little dresses or action hero suits? When can a baby’s gender be determined?

Baby’s gender can be usually confirmed by the second scan often known as the 20-week scan. Although your babies gender is fixed at birth, being able to confirm the gender early is not always possible.

All embryos have a small swelling around the genital area and both sexes look very similar in the early stages of pregnancy. Changes slowly begin around the 11th week of pregnancy which is why it is often impossible for the sonographer to be able to confirm your babies sex at the 12-week scan. My 12-week scan ended up falling around week 14 and the sonographer can sometimes tell you by this stage however they do not like to as there is a chance they could still get it wrong.

The second scan (20-week scan) is usually carried out between week 18 – week 21, this scan is to look for any abnormalities that the baby could have. The purpose of this scan is not to find out the babies’ gender however if you ask the sonographer they should be able to tell you, unless they are one of the listed hospitals that will not tell you the sex of the baby and if that is the case you may have to book a private scan to find out. I have a friend that went for a scan at 20 weeks and because the baby had her legs crossed they couldn’t see the sex and my friend had to then book a private scan.

When I was pregnant with George I was desperate to know the sex of the baby. I felt like I could then start buying clothes and could start thinking about how to decorate his bedroom. I also personally felt like I would be able to bond more with my bump once I know what it is. It was just before Christmas and I was 16 weeks so I booked a gender scan. It was around £80 and it was brilliant. I couldn’t believe the difference from the 12-week scan to 16 weeks. George was rubbing his eyes and yawning and it just made me feel so excited. It was at that point I felt like I knew him. The only problem with the gender scan is that they offer so many extras for example; teddies with your babies’ heartbeat inside, video, picture frames, keyrings etc. that you could end up spending hundreds of pounds in the space of minutes.

Other Ways to Determine Gender

Cell DNA

Cell DNA tests are carried out by taking a sample of blood or urine from the mother, not only do these test screen for abnormalities but they can also tell you the sex of your baby. Not many places offer this service and it is very expensive.

Ramzi Method

The Ramzi method is a very new method that is growing in popularity. It works by using an early ultrasound (as early as 6 weeks) and it works out the gender by locating the placentas position. A lot of sonographers do not offer this as it is still very new but you could ask, you may be surprised.

What is Colic?

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So you have brought your bundle of joy home and everything is fantastic. Friends and family have visited, your partner has gone back to work and having your new baby becomes normality then just as you start to get in to a routine Colic strikes. Colic is a really challenging condition to deal with. Whilst harmless enough for your baby, it’s certainly not harmless on your ears or your sanity! If your little one is crying uncontrollably and nothing you do seems to be soothing them, colic is likely to be the culprit.

I have had a colic baby too and it really is terrible, it can take the joy out of parenthood and you often wonder how on earth you will ever make it through another day and the only thing that got me through this difficult period is trying lots of different treatments praying that “this next treatment will be the one that works.” However, after purchasing many treatments, I realized that I should look for an alternative. I ended up trying lots of home remedies and found that they worked best for George, my purse and my marriage.

What is Colic?

 A lot of people ask “What is Colic?” The only way I can explain it is that Colic is a term that is used when your baby cries suddenly and excessively and cannot be soothed. Experts have carried out investigations on Colic and unfortunately the cause of Colic in babies still remains a mystery, however they do know that it is not a result of a traumatic childbirth, nor is it lack of parenting skills (believe me, I questioned mine). Colic is not an illness or a diagnosis but it is a combination of different behaviours.

Colic symptoms

So how can you tell if your little bundle of joy is suffering from colic? Typical colic symptoms in babies include:

Prolonged crying – Uncontrollable crying that lasts at least three hours, at least three days a week isn’t normal. All babies cry, but if it is prolonged and it goes on for three or more days a week, it’s likely to be colic. The crying tends to occur at the same time each day and when they cry it sounds like they are in pain.

There is no apparent reason why they are crying – Babies cry because they need or want something. It could be feeding, they’re craving attention, they’re tired and need a nap or they need to be changed. If all of these things can be ruled out, then colic is likely to be the problem.

They pull their legs up to their tummy while crying – If they arch their back and pull their legs up to their tummy while crying and unfortunately this colicky pain is another symptom of colic.

Overall, it is important to remember about colic is it isn’t an illness. So, the symptoms will largely be linked to their behaviour, rather than physical symptoms. If your baby has any symptoms of illness such as a fever and nausea, it could be an indicator of a different problem. Colic in babies should always be properly diagnosed by a doctor, so regardless of whether they have any symptoms of illness, you should still get them checked over to double check it is actually colic you’re dealing with.   

What causes colic?

Experts are currently unsure what causes colic in breastfed babies. There are a few theories on why some babies develop Colic.

The theories are as follows;

  • Immature digestive system
  • Overstimulated senses
  • Individual temperament
  • Food Allergies or Sensitivity
  • Tobacco Exposure
  • Wind

 

Immature Digestive System

As your baby’s digestive system is quite new, it can struggle to break down and pass food quickly. This results in an excess gas build-up which can be quite painful, causing your baby a lot of distress.

Overstimulated Senses 

Another possible explanation for colic is the fact that once they reach one month of age, their senses start to become overstimulated. Initially they are able to successfully tune out the various sounds around them while they feed and sleep. The sheer amount of new sounds they experience can be overwhelming and crying is a way of relieving the stress this causes.

 Individual Temperament

However, the majority of experts agree that when it comes to what causes colic in breastfed babies, it’s more than likely just individual temperament. That is, some babies are more sensitive than others. If you have more than one child, you’ll already know just how different they can be. Your experience with your first baby is more than likely going to be completely different to your experience with your second.

Food Allergies or Sensitivity

Some experts believe Colic is the result of an allergy to milk protein or in rare cases it could be the mothers diet that causes colic in breastfed babies.

Tobacco Exposure

Many studies show that mums that smoke during or after pregnancy are more likely to have babies with Colic, second hand smoke can also play a part in colic in babies.

Wind

A lot of parents feel that colic is down to a wind build up from each feed over the course of the day then by the evening the baby has too much wind and it makes them uncomfortable.

 

Is Colic Harmful to Baby?

Colic will not harm your baby, however it is important to ensure that you and your partner support each other during this very testing and frustrating period. It is important to stay as calm as possible and remind yourself and each other that Colic is just a phase and it will pass.

If you feel like Colic is making you feel depressed or unable to cope, it is important to speak out. Confide in friends and family for extra support and speak to your health visitor or GP as soon as you can.

 

How Long does Colic Last for?

A lot of people ask me “How long does colic last for?” Colic usually starts around 6 weeks, however in my case it was a little earlier and it can last up to around 4 months.

Top 10 Signs of Bad Parenting

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Top 10 Signs of Bad Parenting

Unfortunately, when you become a parent there is no handbook included. Being a good parent is something you learn as you go along. A question that goes through a lot of parent’s mind is “Will I be a good parent?” to which I always respond “if you are asking that question then I would say your already part of the way there” because the parent is already showing that they care. We all want our children to have the correct balance of morals, values and discipline but unfortunately our children will test us along the way and it is important not to give in to there every need and tantrum.

You must remember that you will meet a lot of opinionated mothers and fathers along the way and every parent’s opinions on how to raise a child will be different but this does not mean that you are doing it wrong. You will see that your own mother and mother in law will have their ways of parenting too and that’s great if they offer advise but remember it doesn’t mean that you have to do as they say.

If you feel that your child is misbehaving it could be worth looking to see if any of the below applies to you and your household.

The top 10 sign of bad parenting are likely to be as follows;

 1 – Rules – What rules?

A household where kids have no rules and do as they please is a recipe for disaster. Children need to learn what is right and what is wrong and it important to implement this in to there every day lives. If a child has not received any discipline how does the child know that they are doing something wrong. It is important for a child to have a strict regime in the house and stick to it whenever possible.

2 – No Q.T

Yes, children love you buying them treats but children love talking and communicating with you too. I remember my dad used to pick me up from school every Friday and we would go walking along the beach together and talking about our week and I loved it. When I look back at when I was younger these were my memories and not the things my dad bought me. If you do not spend time with your child, your child is likely to act up in other ways to get attention.

3 -Smacking

If you shout and scream at your kids they will initially be afraid but if they get used to it, it may not bother them anymore and you will feel the need to seek a different option as punishment. Although smacking was something that used to exist (certainly when I was a child). It is no longer advisable and may backfire. If you smack your child it will teach them violence from a young age and they may end developing physiological problems and show aggression to other children.

4 – Treating others badly

Your child watches you and how you interact with other people. It is important to speak nicely to your partner and other elders in front of your child. If you speak badly to others, then your child will believe that this is acceptable and children need to respect their elders.

5 – Too Protective

Let your child make mistakes and you do not always cover for them because if you do eventually they will take you for granted and not be bothered about their mistakes.

6 – No Trust You must trust your child to a certain extent. Other children will complain about your child and that is to be expected but if you believe all of the complaints more than your child then you are showing that you believe your child is a liar. You should always ask for their version of events, if you don’t eventually your child could end up not being honest with you.

7 – Interfering parent

You can not to resolve all of your child’s tiffs and problems, if you do you are not allowing your child to develop socially. This means they will grow to be dependent on you. You must allow your child to hold their own so they are capable of doing so.

8 – Giving your child everything

Do not to spoil your child too much. If you bought your child everything they asked for the one time you say “no” they will kick up a huge fuss. It is important that learn value of money as even as they grow up they will think that they should be bought everything and rely on you financially.

9 – Insults

Name calling your child in public can hurt your child and lower their self-esteem. It is then that your child could resent other children and develop traits of jealousy.

10 – Compare your Child

Every child is different and your child will learn at a different speed to mine. It does not make my child thick if your child picks something up quicker than he does. Although we like reassurance that our children are on track. It is important not to compare your child’s achievements to another child’s. If you constantly put down your child and make them feel stupid, they will lose trust in you or worse still they will believe your insults and give up.

Home Remedies for Colic

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When my son George developed colic at around 4 weeks old, I frantically searched for colic treatments that I could buy over the counter right away. Lack of sleep is torturous and I would have paid anything just for some peace at night but unfortunately other than leaving a huge hole in my pocket there was no improvement with the over the counter colic remedies.  I’m not saying it will be the same for everyone but why not start with the cheapest option and try the free home colic remedies first.

I began reading in to home remedies for colic and thought it was worth giving them a try, not only did I want to banish colic but I also wanted to know how to prevent colic from rearing its ugly head again.

I tried the following home remedies for colic and within a few days my son was much better, it is difficult to pin point the exact reason that the colic stopped but I felt the gripe water played a huge part.

Burp baby more frequently – I burped George much more often than usual. I was burping him every 30mls. It was a pain on the night feeds but I found I could settle George a lot easier and quicker afterwards. There are many burping techniques for example; holding baby over your shoulder, sitting baby in an upright position or place them over your lap and gently tap or rub their back to bring up the wind.

Keep baby upright after feeds – Each time your baby has a feed keep them upright for at least 20 minutes where possible. I also tried to ensure that Georges head was nicely raised during every feed so that the milk went straight down.

Massaging the tummy – My friend runs a baby massage class so when she came round for a brew I took the opportunity to use her skills for free. Baby massage is meant to help with colic however due to lack of sleep I couldn’t think of anything worse than attending a class with other humans and paying for the privilege, so I decided to massage George myself. I massaged baby oil into Georges belly with two fingers. I then gently massage the tummy to help move along any poo or trapped wind. I did this each afternoon and George seemed to enjoy it. It is important to do this very gently as a baby’s body is so delicate and fragile.

Using the Dummy – I wasn’t sure if I was going to give George a dummy at first however once colic began I went and bought 4 at once. At Georges worst colic cries he would spit the dummy out but it did settle him in the end when he began getting too tired to cry anymore.

Play white noise – We played white noise during the colic times and sadly he was crying that loud he wouldn’t have heard it but he did seem to settle down to it in the evening. It could be worth a try. White noise helps soothe your baby, the sounds remind them of being in the womb. You may also notice that a hoover or hair dryer may also have the same effect.

Go for a drive or walk in the pram – The car and pram were great for settling George but the hard part was transporting him from the car seat or pram back to his moses basket, he often woke during the process which was not pretty.

Try a warm bath – Your baby spent months in your amniotic fluid, your baby may find some comfort in the bath. This often settled George for a while (at least whilst he was in there)

Gripe Water – Try giving your baby gripe water before each feed, I feel this really worked for George, see my article on Gripe water.

Propping up moses basket – We put books under Georges moses basket stand to ensure he was never lay down completely flat.

After a few days of Gripe water (which was our last resort) and trying all of the above the colic seemed to disappear completely. It is difficult to pin point what exactly it was that stopped the colic but the main thing to remember is…. there is a light at the end of the tunnel and eventually it will stop.

Please also remember that every baby is different and what works for me may not work for you.

Speak to your GP or health visitor before self medicating.

Gripe Water for Babies

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I had heard of Gripe water before my son came along however I had no idea how truly magical it was, it worked wonders for his colic. At the time it really was our last resort as we had literally tried everything. My sons colic started at around 4 weeks, he would cry for hours on end and it would usually be just as my husband and I were settling down for the night. It was at the same time every night and tended to last for hours on end.

My mum had mentioned “Gripe water” for newborns but because so much has changed since she had me I just shrugged it off (silly me). I tried lots of other expensive remedies and none seemed to work.  At one point it was that bad we thought that he must have an allergy of some kind but when the GP looked in to it, he didn’t. We were at our wits end by this point and possibly on the verge of a divorce, when my health visitor advised that we try gripe water for colic, I went out and bought some from the local chemist right away and within days he was like a new baby.

What is Gripe Water?

Gripe water for babies is an over-the counter liquid, it is made from sodium bicarbonate and lots of natural herbs. Other than using gripe water for colic it is actually advertised as a remedy for teething pain, hiccups and flatulence. Due to minimal evidence of gripe water relieving colicky babies, many parents including myself swear by it. It is believed that some of the natural ingredients in the gripe water relieves gas build up, which could be a cause of colic.

Is Gripe Water Safe?

 Gripe water is often safe however I would advise speaking to your GP or health visitor to confirm this.

Although gripe water is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction it is advisable to keep an eye on your baby for the following symptoms; Hives, itchiness, watery eyes, swelling of lips or tongue, vomiting, diarrhoea and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Understanding Colic in Breastfed Babies

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Is colic in breastfed babies something to be expected? That’s a question many new parents have when trying to determine the best feeding method for their little one. When I was pregnant and deciding how I would feed my baby, I was told on numerous occasions that a benefit of breastfeeding was that my baby would not suffer with colic, however this is completely untrue. Colic in breastfed babies does exist!

Colic in breastfed babies can really get you down, your trying your best to provide them with the best start by giving them breastmilk but then you end up listening to them screaming for hours on end.

What Causes Colic in Breastfed babies?

Many experts have looked in to the reason behind colic and unfortunately they cannot come up with a definitive answer. There can be many theories behind why your baby has colic some of which are;

  • Immature digestive system
  • Overstimulated senses
  • Individual temperament
  • Food Allergies or Sensitivity
  • Tobacco Exposure
  • Wind
  • Diet (If breastfeeding)

As you are breastfeeding it is worth noting the foods you eat as they could be contributing to the problem. Many breastfeeding mothers have no idea that what they eat can be passed on through breastfeeding. Interestingly some mothers swear by drinking an Actimel each day to clear up baby’s colic symptoms.

The types of foods that should be avoided when breastfeeding are;

  • Citrus
  • Chocolate
  • Cinnamon, garlic and curry spices
  • Pineapple
  • Kiwi
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Prunes
  • Cabbage
  • Onion
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumber
  • Peppers

It is important to also limit your cups of coffee to around two a day as caffeine can make babies fussy and can also keep them awake.

Baby Grunting in Sleep

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There are so many worries when bringing home your baby. If they came with instructions, then it would be a little easier and less nerve wracking but unfortunately that isn’t the case and being a new parent means that you have no idea what to expect and the unknown is worrying. We all want reassurance that what our babies are doing is normal and that they aren’t in any danger.
It is important to remember that newborns are still learning how to breath in patterns therefore grunting noises and rapid breathing are likely in a newborn baby. Many parents freak out when it comes to their babies breathing this is because baby’s breath more frequently whilst they are awake, whereas when they are asleep babies breathing slows right down and sometimes there is a slight pause where babies don’t take a breath, although its worrying please understand that this is completely normal.
Is your baby grunting in sleep? Babies make many weird and wonderful sounds whilst they are sleeping. When you first bring your baby home you may find that you struggle sleeping, you end up spending half your time peering in to the Moses basket to check your baby is still breathing when they are too quiet and the other half of your time peering in to the Moses basket when your baby is grunting in sleep or making bizarre noises.
The fact your baby is grunting in sleep is not unusual at all. Babies make sounds during their sleep just like adults do. Babies are light sleepers and never drift in to a deep sleep which means they are always switched on to how they feel, if they are hungry, if their nappy needs changing etc they let you know right away.

There are a number of strange noises your baby could make here are a few and some reasons behind them;

Rattle noise
Your baby has mucus in their nose just like mummy and daddy and it can cause a rattling noise. You can get a new born nasal spray from the chemist for your baby. .
Whistling noise
Newborn babies use their nose to breath and not their mouths. The reason for this is that babies can eat and breathe at the same time which is really clever however this also means that dried milk can be in the same passage way for breathing which can create a whistling noise.
Gurgling noise
Gurgling is often your baby clearing their throat or baby talking in their sleep.
Giggling Noise
Giggling noise is exactly how it sounds, some babies giggle in their sleep from around 4 weeks old, it just means your baby is having a nice happy dream.

When to be concerned about your baby grunting in sleep?
It is extremely rare for your baby to experience the following symptoms but if they do please contact a health professional immediately
Rapid breathing – Your babies breathing increases to more than 70 breaths per minute and shows no sign of slowing down.
Flaring nostrils – Flaring nostrils means that your baby is having to work very hard to get air.
Contracting Muscles – The muscles in chest and neck are more prominent and are contracting much more deeply than usual
Grunting each breath – If your baby is grunting at the end of each breath is a sign that your baby is struggling to open blocked airways.