|
|
|
Do you have an unsettled baby with reflux and colic or eczema?
Did you know, many unsettled babies with reflux and colic actually have issues with food?
Did you know most babies with eczema have or develop issues with food?
Yes, this is true. However, the problem is that many people do not know this and unless you are really lucky and know someone who understands the links, you can spend a lot of time, money and much needed energy trying to understand why your baby is so unsettled or covered in eczema.
Reflux and colic
Many babies have reflux in the first months of their lives. Signs of reflux may include one or more of the following symptoms, wet burps, frequent spit ups, gulping, waking frequently, constant crying or irritability. Most babies can be managed pretty well using common strategies such as keeping your baby up right after a feed, raising the head of their bed and feeding the baby in an upright position.
Sometimes a doctor will prescribe an anti-reflux medication to help. Often the baby will improve when they start to sit up or eat solids.
Eczema
Eczema in babies can be treated with a range of products, some of which can help greatly, but the treatment options do not address the cause of the problem. The problem can be environmental, such as chemicals, dust mites, synthetic fabrics etc or it can be related to food.
|
But what if traditional methods of treatment don’t work?
If these methods don’t work and you still have a very unsettled baby, who may display any or all of the following symptoms:
- Fussy feeder,
- Pulls away from feeds and cries whilst obviously hungry,
- Difficult to settle,
- Constantly waking/catnapping – one sleep cycle or less,
- Eczema or other type of spotty rash,
- Nappy rash, burnt bottom,
- Colic/ wind pain,
- Persistent crying or screaming in pain,
- Respiratory problems – wheezing, stuffy nose, asthma, cough, infections,
- Arching back, pushing away from you,
- Copious dirty nappies – possible pain before and during bowel motion,
- Poor weight gain.
Then, you may have a baby with food allergies or intolerances or both.
|
|
|
A very sensitive baby can be affected by proteins and food chemicals being passed through the breastmilk. Though, sometimes the cause of the problem does not become evident until the child begins solids, when the symptoms get even worse.
If you suspect that your baby has a problem with food, the first thing to do is to seek help from a trusted health professional. Preferably someone who knows about food allergies and intolerances. This person may be a:
- Dietitian
- Maternal and child health nurse
- Breastfeeding counsellor
- GP
- Paediatrician
|
|
Read pages on What is a Food Allergy? or What is Food Intolerance? to find out how they are diagnosed.
If you are having trouble finding an experienced health professional you could try:
- Contacting your National Dietitians Association
- Contact your Breastfeeding Association for support
- Look for Food Allergy and Intolerance support networks, support or playgroups in your area that may be able to help you.
- Contact your closest children’s hospital nutrition department.
In Australia, try:
- “Find an Accredited Practising Dietitian” on the Dietitians Association of Australia Website www.daa.asn.au
- Contact Fed-up with Food Additives Food Intolerance Network for a list of dietitians who work in the area. Email: confoodnet@ozemail.com.au
Other websites to explore for more information include:
Published Literature
|
Iacono, G., Carrocio, A., Montalto, G., Cavataio, F., Braigon, E., Lorello, D., Balsamo, V., Notorbartolo. 1991. ‘ Severe Infantile Colic and Food Intolerance : A Long-term Prospective Study’ Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. Vol 12. p332-335.
|
Hill,D.J., Heine,R., Cameron,D., Chow,CW, Francis,D CS Hoskin. J 2000 ‘The Role of Food Protein Intolerance in Distressed Infants: Is there a Relationship to Oesophageal Reflux’Paediatrics 136: 641-7
Hill, D.J, Roy, N., Heine, R.G, Hosking, C.S, Francis, D.E, Brown,J, Speirs,B, Sadowsky,J., Carlin,J.D ‘Effect of a Low-Allergen Maternal Diet on Colic Among Breastfed Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Trial’ Paediatrics Vol. 116 No. 5 November 2005, pp. e709-e715
Sicherer, S.H ‘The Natural History of IgE-Mediated Cow's Milk Allergy’ Paediatrics, Nov 2008; 122: S186
Disclaimer:
At Allergy Train, we aim to be a source of nutritional and food hypersensitivity information to guide you in your journey through an elimination diet or in learning to live on a restricted diet. However, the information provided on our site is for educational purposes only and should never be used to diagnose food hypersensitivity or other medical conditions. It is very important you talk to a health professional such as a doctor and a dietitian before you undertake any kind of dietary elimination process or restricted diet.
Links To other sites
Our Allergy Train Pty Ltd website contains links to other websites to assist you with obtaining more information. However, we do not necessarily endorse all the content on these sites. Please critique each of these sites yourself before taking on board any of the information found on these sites.
|
|
|
|
|