Cottage Flowers Arrangement

Candie Hastie-Hunt

My baby goes in a playpen if my older daughter is awake and when I can’t watch them both, and my toddler has the lounge to roam around in which I’ve baby proofed. They both have access to a small selection of loose parts and toys and they choose what toys they want to play with. I rotate the loose parts every few days to keep a sense of novelty, but I always keep their favourite toys out that get played with every day. A big thing I’m learning is trust - to trust that my son will move his body the way he wants to and trust that when he needs help or needs me he will let me know. I’m learning to trust that he can start to problem solve. If he’s trying to get a toy just out of reach, he will learn to try rolling over to get it, or to start using his legs or arms to push or move himself to get it. Giving him the freedom to move and explore helps him to self direct his play. It can be so tempting to step in and help our babies - say if they’re rolling over but they’re stuck halfway, to help them over or if they’re grizzling, to just hand them a toy - but by waiting and watching to see what they will do, it’s giving them time to start being more independent. Instilling the habit of self directed play isn’t a quick fix and takes time and patience to cultivate. But it will be so worth it in the long run! 5 minutes of play can build up to 10-15 minutes of self directed play where your baby or toddler is choosing what and how they learn.

PRODUCT REVIEW WIND AND COLIC RELIEF

Wind is a commonly discussed topic among mums with newborns or young babies. Some babies are definitely affected by and in pain when a burp is stuck in their tummy, and other babies don’t seem to get bothered by it. Babies get wind by swallowing tiny air bubbles when feeding, which become trapped, causing pressure and discomfort in the stomach. I asked my mum friends whether they used any natural remedies or medicines for wind or colic and if they work or were they just a waste of money? There are a number of products recommended and they all work slightly differently. All are given at different times and in different dosages and can be different for breastfed or bottle fed babies. You may personally find that this influences what will suit you and your little one more than the product itself.

Rhuger

Colic calm

Colic Calm Homeopathic Gripe Water is developed to provide effective and instant relief from a range of infant digestive ailments. These include colic, gas pain, baby reflux, upset stomach, and hiccups. This product is the most expensive and retails for $49.99 for a 59ml bottle. I found it didn’t help my boy but other mums in my antenatal group said it worked really well for their babies. This infant gripe water also works to support your baby’s delicate digestive system as it develops. Colic Calm Homeopathic Gripe Water gently encourages your infant’s body to heal itself rather than suppressing the symptoms of digestive discomfort and associated ailments. It says it is for baby gas relief, colic, reflux, and hiccups. Rhuger retails at $29.50 and is available at most pharmacies. This product is also highly rated by myself and other mums. Some parents found, however, that over time their baby built up a tolerance to it and it became less effective. It has a three way action on the surface of the stomach and gut by relaxing the smooth muscle, releasing trapped air, emptying the stomach, and aiding the passage of contents through the gut. Rhuger is best given before feeds and in small frequent doses. It is most effective when the dose is warmed to body temperature. This can be done by warming a teaspoon with hot water, or by using a little expressed breastmilk, before administering directly to your baby. Rhuger can be added to formula or given during feeds. Rhuger works mostly on the surface of the gut wall, so it may require you to give doses before every feed for several days in order to begin to see improvements. If you are using a dropper to administer the dose, use 5-10 drops or by syringe use 1 to 2 mls with equal amount of boiled water from jug. The ginger works faster to relieve colic and reflux symptoms if warmed up. Direct dose with a syringe into baby’s mouth.

Gripe water

Woodwards Gripe water was another remedy that some mums gave positive reviews. This retails at $7.79 for a 150ml bottle. It contains oil of Dill herb and Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and brings relief of wind and gripe. Dill Oil warms and relaxes the tummy, breaking down trapped air bubbles. Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate neutralises acid in the baby’s tummy. The results are usually a resounding burp! It’s important to note that, just like other herbal products, there is a lack of standardization of gripe water. So different brands of gripe water contain slightly different variations of ingredients. You should discuss with your GP, Plunket Nurse, or Well Child provider use of any of these to ensure they are appropriate for your baby. Back in my mum’s day she used gripe water, but then it had ingredients like alcohol and sugar. Most gripe water products on the market nowadays are alcohol and sugar free but you have to be careful to check the ingredients list to be sure. There are no scientific studies to support the effectiveness of gripe water, it’s mostly from anecdotal stories from parents who have found it helpful. It is important to always read the label with any product being used on your little one to ensure correct dosage and that it is being used as it was intended. The above reviewed products also have minimum age requirements ranging from newborn to 1 month old. If you have a baby who is unusually fussy, has problems with digestion, or you suspect has colic, it is best to work with a doctor or paediatrician to try to find a solution. There may be an underlying medical condition, such as acid reflux or food sensitivity, that can be treated. If your doctor has ruled out these medical issues and your baby is still extremely fussy or colicky, there are some other things you can try before resorting to the use of herbal remedies. • Swaddling your baby, providing they are not rolling, so they feel snug and secure. • Wearing your baby in a sling or carrier around the house when they are fussy • Using white noise can sometimes help • Learning to massage your baby’s tummy gently, using circular motion to help move gas • Gently and slowly bicycle your baby’s legs to see if the movement helps move gas along • Try walking or dancing with your baby as movement can help babies during fussy times. We hope you find these reviews helpful for you and your baby.

Infacol

This product has been highly rated by myself and many friends. It retails for $19.99 for a 50ml bottle and you can get it from Countdown. Sometimes it’s even on special for $16. It is suitable to use from 1 month old onwards and is one of the most affordable wind remedies. Infacol is specially formulated drops to help relieve wind, griping pain, and reduce the severity of crying attacks associated with colic. Simethicone is the active ingredient in Infacol and it causes the small bubbles of gas in the baby’s stomach to join together. This forms a larger bubble which can be easily expelled. It can either be added into a bottle or directly into the baby’s mouth before breastfeeding. It can be used up to 12 times a day when they are under 2 years old.