Bringing a newborn home can be a thrilling but stressful and confusing experience.
A new baby's frequent crying can also be a source of anxiety for inexperienced parents. According to a recent survey conducted by the Caregivers' Advisory Board, 94 percent of first-time mothers admit to feeling stress when their babies are crying and can't be comforted.
Although babies cry for a variety of reasons, digestive problems, such as infant gas, are a common cause. Infant gas affects more than 2 million infants per year. While excess gas can be uncomfortable for a baby, it is important for parents to remember that it is often a temporary problem.
"First, it is important that parents with questions or concerns regarding their infants talk to their pediatrician. But parents can help prevent and reduce gas by ensuring that the baby's mouth forms a good seal around the breast or bottle, and by avoiding certain foods while breast feeding," says Dr. James Sears, pediatrician and co-author of "The Baby Book." "I also recommend an over-the-counter treatment, such as Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Drops, to safely relieve gas and make the baby more comfortable."
The main symptoms of infant gas include uncontrollable crying and the baby pulling his or her legs up into a curled position, as if to relieve pain. To relieve these symptoms, many parents may find over-the-counter simethicone drops helpful. In fact, 95 percent of new mothers surveyed in the Caregivers' Advisory Board survey who tried Mylicon drops said the treatment provided some relief to their babies.
