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Post by BellaF on Nov 29, 2007 18:33:55 GMT -5
Hello! I'm a new mom with a 5-1/2 week old son (Gabriel) who is definitely showing signs of colic (the gassy kind from what I can tell). We have our good days and we have our very frustrating days in which Gabe and I are both exhausted. I've tried just about everything - gripe water (only calms him down for a few minutes), rocking, swaddling, football hold, bath (good temporary relief but the screaming starts back up again), vacuum cleaner, car ride (again, good temporary relief but gas is expensive these days!), changing formula, pacifier, swing, bouncer, dancing with him . . . the list goes on. Certain things work on certain days - sometimes not at all.
I'm reading about chamomile tea and I hear that it helps sooth the digestive system. I tried 1/2 tsp. in his milk (he drinks 3 oz of milk at a time) last night and he went off to sleep right away - but I'm not sure if that's because he was so tired from the crying. I tried the chamomile again today, and while he hasn't cried all day, Gabe still had a bought of several hours of crying.
My question is how much chamomile tea should I give him? I don't want to overdo it and that's why I started off with 1/2 tsp. He drinks about 3 oz. of milk at a time. I hate seeing him in pain and I'm so tired and emotionally drained by the end of the day. I know there is no cure except for time, but I'm willing to try anything.
On a side note, I'm sorry that the threads have disappeared. I've been reading them for the past few days and they've been helping me cope. Thank you for having this support group, though!
BellaF
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Post by mel5mel on Nov 29, 2007 19:14:23 GMT -5
BellaF, when Tamara comes back (mommyof2girls) ask her as I beleive that Brooklyn takes pepermint and chamomile tea. or you can go to any health food store and ask them as I am sure that they know what will be a good amount. I cant help as that was never something we did with Payton... good luck
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Post by pamcrt on Nov 29, 2007 19:18:40 GMT -5
Well, honestly, you are right. Time really is the only cure. I'm not sure of how much tea to give him, we gave fennel tea to help with the gas (it only worked for a short time) and I would just add a little to her bottle never really measuring. Since they are herbs and not actually pharmaceuticals I don't really think there is a point of overdose, but you could always google it and I am sure there is a website that would tell you how much to put in the bottle. The other thing I do for my daughter on a regular basis even still (she's 7 months) is warm peppermint bottles with karo syrup (I add the karo only if she's constipated which she definitely hasn't been lately) but the peppermint has soothing factors that help calm the stomach and relax them. She loves them. I just get a regular peppermint that you suck on and drop it in the warm water and it dissolves. I usually put mylicon and levsin in it also, but that's what I have found helps Abby the most. We are past the colic now, but Abby is still pretty high needs, wants her needs met right now you know. She has her moments but for the most part she is a "normal" 7 mth old baby girl. Starting to crawl, getting into everything, trying to talk. She's fun now.
I hope this helps and please keep coming onto this site (or wherever they may take us!). We definitely do like to help and discuss things.
Pam
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Post by pamcrt on Nov 29, 2007 19:20:02 GMT -5
Margeaux, we did peppermint with Abby and still do. She loves it for when her tummy is upset. It's been a lifesaver so many times.
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Post by accebersmith on Nov 30, 2007 6:29:45 GMT -5
Bella,
Chamomile is one of those wonderful and rare herbs which is so gentle, even infants and pregnant/nursing mothers can use it. Our son's developmental pediatric nurse approved of our use with Gavin, and it helped us through the height of his colic. I steeped one teabag in a regular-sized coffee cup full of hot water for fifteen minutes, then let it cool to just above room temperature. I transferred as much of that cupful as would fit into one of Gavin's four ounce bottles and gave it to him freely whenever he appeared to be getting fussy again. It worked wonders for him, not only giving him the rest and stomach relief he needed, but keeping him well-hydrated, too, which can be an issue for colicky babies.
I hope that you find some relief using the chamomile, too. Of course, the usual cautions apply; you should ensure that he's not allergic to the herb, etc. Otherwise, use as needed.
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Post by mommyof2gurlies on Dec 1, 2007 10:50:11 GMT -5
I have given Chamomile tea to Brooklyn since she was fairly young...
She tolerates it very well. She loves the taste. I don't water it down at all. I've heard that for a baby "tea" you're supposed to make it half the strength....But i have always just steeped the bag of tea...and poured it directly into her bottle after it cooled.
I used to also give her these all natural capsules that you snap open and they have pure chamomile in them. I got them from my brother who used to buy them for his baby when she was teething. I got them at the co-op (or anywhere like trader joes, a natural food store, would have them...) Its great if you dont feel like brewing the tea, and its stronger i believe.
When she got the stomach bug and was throwing up I also brewed her a mix of chamomile tea and peppermint tea. The peppermint totally calmed her tummy. She held nothing else down but that tea....and the chamomile was very calming to help her relax a little bit since she wasn't feeling so well.
As its all natural....i dont really think there is a point you can overdose. However, its probably not good to give TOO much, or make it TOO strong...since they are babies and their systems are still so young.
It does seem to calm her down, its not a miracle herb....but it does work in relaxing her 
Hope that helps!!!
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