The Happi Tummi consists of a waistband and herbal pouch containing lavender, chamomile, lemon grass, peppermint, spearmint, wheat and flax seed. When heated for 15 to 20 seconds, the herbs are activated to release healing properties which provide almost immediate relief of most common stomach ailments.
- Only 100% natural herbal external remedy specifically formulated for infants with colic and stomach pain.
- Pediatrician recommended.
- Provides relief of gas pain and calms a fussy baby without the ingestion of medications.
- Calms the parent or caregiver with Lavender aromatherapy.
- Herbal pack is manufactured in the USA.
- The Happi Tummi waistband is adjustable, easy to clean and available in several patterns and colors.
- The Happi Tummi has received the prestigious iParenting HOT Award, iParenting Media Award and the Preemie Magazine Cool Stuff Award
Colic is an attack of crying and what appears to be abdominal pain in early infancy (babies). Colic is a common condition and is estimated to affect at least 20% of babies during their first few months.
All babies cry for various reasons; hunger, cold, tiredness, heat, or because the diaper (nappy) needs changing. However, a baby may cry even after being well fed, cleaned, nicely wrapped up and well cared for. If a baby has repeated episodes of inconsolable crying, but appears to be healthy and well, he/she may have colic.
Colic usually appears a few weeks after birth and carries on until the baby is about three to four months old. Even though the baby may scream for all he/she is worth, colic is not dangerous or harmful. Experts say colic has no long-term effects and a baby with colic will gain weight and feed normally.
For parents, seeing a baby cry inconsolably can be distressing and upsetting, making them feel that they are either doing things wrongly or letting their child down. It is important to remember that, if it is colic, it is a common phase which will eventually go away and has nothing to do with bad parenting. Colic is relatively short-lived - in a matter of weeks or months one of the first major challenges of parenthood will be over.
What are the symptoms of colic?
The following symptoms will appear in an otherwise healthy and well fed baby:
· Intense crying - the baby cries intensely and furiously, and there is not much the parents can do to comfort him/her. The baby's face will become red and flushed. Crying episodes tend to occur at the same time every day - generally during the late afternoon or evening. Episodes may last from a few minutes to much longer periods. Crying usually starts suddenly and for no apparent reason.
· Baby's posture - fists may be clenched, tensed abdominal muscles, knees drawn up, and the back arched.
· Sleeping - sleep may be irregular and interrupted with episodes of crying.
· Feeding - feeding may also be interrupted and irregular with episodes of intense crying. However, the amount the baby eats each day is not reduced.
· Wind - during episodes of intense crying the baby may pass wind.
· Varying intensities - with some babies symptoms are mild and the baby may only experience periods of restlessness.
If you think the baby's crying may be the result of an injury or fall seek medical attention. If you notice any change in the baby's general behavior, eating habits or sleeping patterns that concern you, ask your doctor or nurse for advice.
What causes colic?
Experts suggest wind or indigestion may be involved - but nobody really knows what the causes of colic are. Some wonder whether the baby's gut is immature and sensitive to some of the substances in breast or formula milk. Milk allergies and lactose intolerance have similar symptoms to those of colic. These theories are not supported by evidence. Twice as many babies have colic if their mother smoked during pregnancy. Colic does not occur more commonly among first, second or third born children. Breast fed and formula fed babies are equally likely to have colic.
Diagnosing colicA doctor may do a physical exam to determine whether anything may be causing the baby's distress, such as an intestinal obstruction. If the baby is found to be otherwise healthy, he/she will be diagnosed with colic. Laboratory tests or scans are not usually necessary, unless the doctor suspects there may be an underlying cause. Anybody who suspects that their baby might be unwell should see a doctor. Nobody is more familiar with the baby's behavior and temperament than his/her parents.
What are the treatment options for colic?There are not many treatments for colic. However, there are things a parent can do when dealing with a baby with colic. Comforting a baby with colic is often a question of trying out various methods and pursuing the ones that work - babies respond differently to comforting when they have colic. The following suggestions may help:
· Swaddling a baby during a crying episode may help (wrapping him/her up firmly in a blanket).
· Some babies respond well to just being held.
· Sit the baby upright when feeding; this makes it less likely that air is swallowed.
· Sometimes more frequent - but smaller - feedings may help.
· Breastfeeding mothers may find that if they avoid tea, coffee, spicy foods and alcohol the baby's colic symptoms become less severe.
· A pacifier (dummy) - some parents have found that offering the baby a pacifier helps.
· Make sure the holes in the bottle teats are the right size. If they are too small the baby is likely to swallow more air during each feed.
· Make sure you have burped your baby after a feed. Sit the baby upright or hold him/her against your shoulder with the neck and head supported. Rub their back and tummy until you air comes out. Sometimes the baby may bring up a bit of milk; this is normal.
· Sometimes picking the baby up and putting him/her down frequently may make the crying worse. Comforting the baby in a quiet place with dimmed lighting often works better. When you are sure the baby is OK - fed, clean, not too hot or cold, leave him/her in the cot for a while.
· Some people find that going for a walk with the stroller helps settle the baby down, as might a drive in the car. Or anything that keeps the baby in motion - perhaps a baby sling will make it less tiring on the arms.
· Sometimes a background noise, such as that made by a washing machine, or vacuum cleaner helps settle babies down.
· A warm bath, or gentle massage may also help.
· Get someone to help - having someone else help out gives you some private time. This may help calm you and your anxieties, which may result in more peace all round.
Medical treatment
As colic is a normal part of some babies' lives and is not harmful, it is not usually recommended to give medication. If you are concerned, or are finding it hard to cope, talk to your GP (general practitioner, primary care physician). There is not one substance which sweepingly cures all or most cases of colic. However, some treatments have given a percentage of babies some relief.
Examples include:
· Excluding cow's milk protein - this means bottle-feeding with hypoallergenic formula if the baby has been bottle-fed, or a dairy free diet for the breastfeeding mother. This should be a one-week trial. If it works, then continue. If it doesn't work, abandon the trial. If this works it does not mean that your baby is permanently milk-intolerant, it just means the trial worked and the baby may have responded well for many reasons; his/her gut may still be maturing, it might just have been coincidence (the colic was going to disappear anyway at the same time you did the trial), or he/she may continue being allergic to milk, etc.
· Simeticone drops - simeticone is an anti-foaming agent; it reduces the amount of trapped wind. It brings together small bubbles of gas that are trapped in the stomach contents when a baby swallows air. As the bubbles clump together and become bigger bubbles they are easier to expel by burping or passing wind. Simeticone works locally in the gut and does not get into the bloodstream. It is said to relieve abdominal pain (wind, colic, gripe). Typically, a baby will be given a 2.5ml spoonful after each feed. It can be given to the infant's bottle or given directly into the mouth, either with a spoon or an oral syringe - read the instructions on the leaflet.
· Lactase drops - lactase is an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar lactose into glucose and galactose. People with lactase deficiency in the gut can develop abdominal cramping and diarrhea after consuming milk products - lactase helps prevent that. Sometimes lactase drops help babies with colic. If your baby responds well remember that it does not necessarily mean he/she will need lactase later on; the milk intolerance may be temporary.
Beware of some therapies:· Dicycloverine (dicyclomine) - a medication used for stomach cramps. It used to be commonly used as a colic treatment. However, it has been found to cause breathing difficulties, seizures, weakening of the muscles, loss of consciousness and coma in infants.
· Star anise tea - an herbal tea that used to be popular as a treatment for colic. However, some types are toxic and bad for the baby.
Bacteria May Be Connected to Colic - Called Klebsiella, it could be causing gut inflammation, study suggests August 6, 2009
THURSDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- A bacterium normally found in the mouth, skin and intestines might play a role in the still-mysterious cause of colic in babies, a new study says.
Researchers found the bacterium Klebsiella along with gut inflammation in the intestines of all babies in their study who had colic, a condition characterized by uncontrollable crying.
"We believe that the bacterium may be sparking an inflammatory reaction, causing the gut inflammation," Dr. J. Marc Rhoads, a pediatrics professor at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and the study's lead investigator, said in a news release from the school. "Inflammation in the gut of colicky infants closely compared to levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease."
He said colic could possibly lead to other gastrointestinal conditions in later life, such as irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease.
Colic, which causes an otherwise healthy baby to cry and scream often and for long periods without any noticeable reason, has no medically grounded treatment or known cause, although bottle-fed babies seem to get it more often than breast-fed infants, according to background information in the news release. The condition often disappears as suddenly as it presents itself.
"Colic can be a dangerous situation for a baby," Rhoads said. "The parents' frustration over the crying can lead to maternal frustration, post-partum depression and even thoughts of harming the baby." Half of all infanticides are colic-related, he noted.
The study, published online in the Journal of Pediatrics, included 36 babies, both breast- and bottle-fed. About half had colic. The researchers found that babies without colic had more types of bacteria in their intestines, a sign that certain types of bacteria are beneficial to people, Rhoads said.
He said the researchers plan further study, involving adults as well as infants, on Klebsiella and on whether probiotics, a dietary supplement of so-called good bacteria, could control the gut inflammation in colicky babies.
More information The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about colic.
Infant colic can be stressful and overwhelming for the entire family. Babies show a variety of symptoms including, persistent crying, difficulty sleeping, crying during or after feedings, and the appearance of discomfort or pain.
Luckily, there are many resources to help with understanding colic. It is very important for parents to remain patient, calm, and relaxed; your emotions can influence the emotional state of your baby. Here are some tips that can help provide relief for both you and your baby.
1. Changes in Diet. For mothers who are nursing, avoid gas-producing foods, processed foods, and caffeine. For formula fed babies, sometimes avoiding dairy formula or selecting formula that is easily digestible can help with colic.
2. Gripe Water by Colic Calm. This is an all natural product that soothes the irritations of babies caused by colic, gas, stomach pains, hiccups, and teething. It is a homeopathic blend of chamomile, fennel, caraway, peppermint, ginger, aloe, blackthorn, and vegetable charcoal.
3. Keep close contact. Carrying the baby using a sling or wrap can be warm, safe, and comforting. Babies tend to be soothed by the feeling of being in the womb.
4. Warm baths. Babies can benefit from relaxing baths just as adults do. Try adding a few drops of lavender to the water or for babies with sensitive skin, Aveeno has a Calming Comfort line of baby bath products.
5. Infant massage. This can be soothing for the baby, especially after a warm and relaxing bath. Try using lavender or chamomile massage oil and rub the baby’s tummy in a clockwise motion. If the baby is suffering from trapped gas, gently bring the knees to the abdomen and back down a few times. Rescue Remedy cream can also be used when massaging the baby’s tummy.
6. Swaddling. Keeping the baby snuggled up in a warm and cozy blanket can help the baby feel safe and secure.
7. Bach Flower remedies. This homeopathic blend of flower essences can bring calm and relaxation to both the baby and parents.
8. Infant probiotics. Some theories suggest that colic can be caused by a lack of “gut flora,” which are healthy microorganisms that assist in digestion. The lack of these microorganisms can lead to difficulty in milk sugar breakdown. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus may help.
9. Herbal Teas. Some researchers say that infants can have up to 4 oz of herbal tea a day. Chamomile, catnip, and ginger are great herbal teas for colic. Consult your pediatrician or research additional information before using.
10. Soothing Sounds. White noise, the sound of your voice, repetitive tunes, nature sounds, and lullabies can all be effective in soothing the baby.
Babies will respond differently to soothing remedies. Try and keep track of what works best for your baby and when it is most effective (for example, soothing sounds may be most effective before the baby goes to sleep or gripe water may be most effective in the early morning).
Herbs are an extremely useful tool. They must, however, be used properly and in the right dosage. Herbs are administered in their diluted form as homeopathics. Homeopathics are a safe, effective way to administer healing doses of herbs to children and adults alike. Herbs taken in pure form are also healing, but caution is necessary when considering the herb and the dose. This article will focus on herbs in their pure form. A doctor should always be consulted when taking an herb to make sure that there will be no interactions with current medications.
Herbal and homeopathic remedies follow the idea that every disease that is found on the earth must also have a cure somewhere on the earth. The challenge is to find the herb that will work for the issue in question. A bit of knowledge regarding herbal remedies can go a long way. Most everyone knows that reaching for a common over-the-counter pain medication will help their headache go away, but what if we knew the same of herbs?
There are many forms in which herbs can be administered. Tea is an herb that has been put into hot or boiling water in order to leach the important substrates of the herb into the water so that it can be consumed. In the capsule form many herbs are ground and put into small gelatin capsules which will deliver the herb to our systems. Tinctures are extracts of herbs preserved in alcohol or other substances administered by the drop into the mouth. Often it is also wise and tasty to use our herbs as spices in our cooking! Herbs can also take the form of salves, oils, poultices and syrups, each of which has its own forum for use. Following will be 5 herbs that are easy to use and identify that can help to keep and maintain our health.
1. Turmeric. This herb has received much attention as of late, and for good reason. The benefits of turmeric are many. It can be considered and anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser, digestive aid, internal and external would healer and it helps to protect the liver. This herb is most often used in eastern dishes and is contained in curry powder. It contains a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient called curcumin that has even been studied as a tool for fighting cancers including breast, prostate and lung. Using this herb in your cooking could create a powerful advantage for your body.
2. Echinacea. Echinacea is considered the “natural antibiotic.” It is an excellent anti-inflammatory and can be used in just about any circumstance of infection including acne, poison ivy or oak venomous bites etc. It is also considered an anti-viral and has been proven effective in possible prevention and increased recovery times for bacterial and viral infections. Many people enjoy echinacea as a tea, still others take it in capsule form or extract. Echinacea tea can be a nice daily addition to your routine, while up to three cups a day could help you to prevent an oncoming virus or shorten the life of a virus you already have.
3. Ginger. Ginger is an extremely versatile herb that has many uses. It is most popular for calming the stomach during periods of nausea and aiding in the decrease of mucous production during cold and flu. Ginger can be an excellent addition to everyday food and drink such as salad dressing, smoothies, juices, and sauces for vegetables. With cold or flu ginger can be served as a tea with a touch of honey. Alternatively ginger can be used externally to soothe aching muscles or joints. Just boil some ginger in water for a short time and use a cloth to soak up the water, applying it to the affected area.
4. Green Tea. Green tea is probably one of the most touted herbs of our time. Anywhere from one to three glasses of green tea a day are recommended to protect us from everything from heart disease to cancer. This tea contains high amounts of antioxidants that help to neutralize factors that would cause heart disease, viruses, gum disease, breast cancer and more. With such wonderful benefits there isn’t even time to argue….go get some!
5. Chamomile. Chamomile is a gentle herb that is widely used and extremely beneficial. It is known as the “calming herb.” Chamomile calms digestion and menstrual cramps and can help with nervousness and insomnia. Experiments are being performed to test the effectiveness of chamomile on ADHD in children and adults. The herb has been used for many years to calm colicky, teething, and irritable children and babies. Chamomile in a lotion or oil can also help to soothe and calm the skin. It’s richness in easily absorbable calcium is also being explored for possible benefits of healing in bone trauma and maintaining bone density. Most often chamomile is served as a tea or added to externally used lotions, oils, shampoos or soaps.
Herbs can be found at your local health food stores (see below to find healthfood stores in the Jacksonville area). It is best to purchase organic herbs and teas from a company that is trusted and reputable. Herbs, like any other produce, must be grown in a stable, nontoxic and nurturing environment in order to supply full effectiveness without supplying contaminants our bodies do not need. How can you begin to experience the benefit of herbs? Remember herbs while cooking. Don’t be afraid to spice up your dishes a bit. Another idea is to replace one soft drink or one cup of coffee per day with a healthy glass of green tea. Health is growing all around us…we just need to reach out for it!
Swaddling: Wrap your baby tightly in a square blanket, making sure to swaddle him or her well enough to where their legs and arms are not flapping around or can become loose.
Side or Stomach Holding: The football hold is one of the best ways to sooth baby. Try hoolding your baby on their tummy or try holding baby as if you were going to breastfeed, but facing out. However, do not leave your baby in the crib this way, side sleeping can cause SIDS.
Shushing: You can try to mimic the whoosh of the fluid in the womb with a loud sssshhhh in your baby's ear. You might want to turn your radio to static, try starting an appliance, or run the vacuum cleaner or hair dryer. These are all ways to bring that sound your baby heard in the womb back into play.
Swinging or Jiggling: Sit with your feet slightly apart, knees together, with baby on her side or stomach, her head toward your knees. Jiggle your knees with very small gentle movements. Your baby's head should move a bit. Always keep in mind, to be gentle. Shacking a baby can cause serious damage.
Sucking: Your breast, your finger, or a pacifier should calm your baby.
It's late at night and your little angel is acting more like a demon--shrieking, turning various shades of red, kicking, waving fists. He or she has already spit up an amazing amount of goop (making you wonder, what the heck was IN that kid? And how did so much fit in that tiny tummy?) and you're expecting that little howling head to spin around any second. Do you continue tearing your hair out with one hand while retrieving the pacifier your baby patooied across the room in a rage? Call an exorcist? Or stay up another night walking the floor, singing old tunes from your teens (maybe that's what's making the kid cry!) in an effort to lull the tiny tortured soul to sleep?
What your little progeny is suffering from is colic: the bane of parents world-wide, probably since cave people first grunted stone-age lullabies to their wailing offspring. The young digestive tract is still new to anything and everything put into it and is bound to reject some things. Add the air inhaled during feeding, whether Mom is the source or a bottle, and the stomach can get like a balloon, naturally painful to the infant. Then there are the possibilities--hard to track down when the patient can't communicate too well--of allergies or lactose intolerance. In some instances, what the nursing mother has ingested herself can come through in her milk and cause the baby some discomfort.
Stress in the family atmosphere, also, is not to be discounted. Infants are much more sensitive to ambient moods and tensions than most adults give them credit for. This can account for the reluctance of some babies to nurse. It's surprising how many parents give no thought to having yelling or loud music in the home around infants. Young ears being assaulted in such a way can be expressed through digestive complaints. In the same way, tobacco smoke is enough to cause multiple types of infantile illness, and colic can be one of them. The adults and older children may adapt to such dysfunctional home surroundings, but infants are not able to cope, resulting in illness.
In Grandma's era they used what was called gripe water. This formula usually consists of fennel, dill, sodium bicarbonate, peppermint, sugar, water, in a miniscule amount of alcohol (not enough to make your baby a pint-sized alcoholic, don't worry). These ingredients, for the most part, are well-known for soothing aching stomachs in all age groups. Other options can be chamomile, peppermint or ginger tea (cooled, of course) in small amounts.
Whatever method you decide upon, take relief yourself in the knowledge that your baby will outgrow colic eventually. It's rare to see an infant over six months old with this condition. Just think: in another sixteen years, give-or-take, you'll have other reasons to pace the floor late at night over your child, and you'll long for the time when he or she was right under your nose.
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