I suppose the only way
to follow my husbands "Shit Wars" blog is to talk about the evil
beast that precedes it, Gas! I was told that a baby usually only cries
for three reasons, Hungry, Tired or Wet. WRONG! Well, I guess if we are going
to be technical about it, Oliver doesn't cry from gas, he SCREAMS!
My poor little guy has
gas that rivals my pregnancy gas, massive and constant. (Thank God it doesn't
rival the smell! How bad would that gas karma suck?) The real issue is
that, according to my doctor, babies don’t know what to do with gas. They tend
to fight the sensation to let it pass. So, like with all other pains, the babe
scream until it is alliveated.
Oliver is clearly scared
to let it pass, so true to form, he grunts and fights it every step of the way.
It usually plays out like this, Ollie is lying there minding his own business,
happy and cooing, then out of nowhere, a blood-curdling scream comes out of his
little mouth. Then he alternates screaming and crying until he passes the
gas. It is so incredibly sad.
There are only a couple
of ways that I know of, to sooth an infants gas issues.
1. Bicycle the legs-My doctor said this is the best method to pass the
gas or at least alleviate the pain quickly.
2. Hold him straight
up and down-Rub his back trying to
let the gas fall out so to speak.
3. Massage his little
tummy- I personally don’t find
this to help me. I don’t really know what I’m doing so I leave this to daddy,
the gas king!
4. Put him on his
belly and pushing his little booty up and down-to encourage him to pass the gas. My sister swears
by this.
5. Gas Drops! Gas drops are great, I give him his necessary
dosage and within minutes he is noticeably better, he's not screaming anymore! Gripe
Water is also another medication
like option. However, I personally prefer Gas drops for Gas problems.
Lately the poor guy has
been having the worst time with gas. I also have been giving him more
bottles a day. When we have houseguest it is easier for me to just give
him a pumped bottle and then pump a little later when it's more convenient for
me. I know most mothers put a few gas drops in every bottle they give
their bub. I usually give Oliver his bottle, burping every couple ounces,
and then when we are finished, all chances of projectile spewing are over, I
give him a few drops with the dropper.
So next time your baby
screams out, and you know she/ he is NOT wet, hungry or tired, think the Fifth
Beatle, GAS! I cannot tell you how many times the hubs and I have
scratched our heads in confusion over why Ollie was crying after checking the
three usual culprits. Now that we know gas is a major cry stimulator to
look for we are all are getting through these colic like screaming bouts
better. We usually try to go
through all of the home remedies before the gas drops. But, I'll admit
since he has been having so much trouble lately with the bottles, I just give
him the drops immediately then bicycle his legs. My doctor said the poor
littler guy will eventually realize what he is feeling, and let the gas out.
Thank God, because we all know evil gas is so much better out than in!
Oh and remember...A bottle
should always be stirred never shaken! (air bubbles get in the shaken bottle
causing MORE gas!)
