What causes indigestion? In nursing babies this may be due to some
irregularity in the health or habits of the mother, or change in her
dieting, and if the colic is not persistent the cause is not hard to find.
Worry, trouble, sorrow, anger, overwork, and errors of diet in the mother
often cause this trouble or the child may nurse too fast, too long, too
much, or too often, or the milk may be too rich. If so, give baby an ounce
of hot water before nursing. Hand-fed children are too often over-fed, and
this produces indigestion.
What are the symptoms of colic? The child screams sharply; the cry comes
suddenly and returns every few minutes; he draws up his legs and feet; the
muscles of his face contract and he has other signs of pain. The belly is
usually hard and tense.
What can I do for colic? First warm his feet and hands by placing them
against a hot-water bag, or holding them before the open fire, turn him on
his stomach, letting him lie on a hot-water bag or hot piece of flannel;
pat his back gently to help up the wind and give him a little hot water
with a medicine dropper and a few drops of essence of peppermint may be
added to the water. If the colic continues, put ten drops of turpentine
into a half teacupful of warm water, and inject this slowly into the
rectum, and at the same time gently rub the abdomen so as to start the
wind. If the wind is in the stomach, give him one-half a soda mint tablet
dissolved in a tablespoonful of very warm water, or a little soda. If the
attacks are frequent, the foods are too strong; use less cream or milk and
more water. Regulate the mother's diet carefully if the baby nurses, and
she should take some exercise out of doors, if possible, and try not to be
nervous. Cereals, cocoa, milk, eggs, gruels made of corn, oatmeal; most
fruits, not tart, and vegetables, with some meat, make a good diet for a
nursing mother. The bowels must move freely every day at least once.
[ALL ABOUT BABY 609]
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--1. Wind Colic, Yarrow Tea for.--"Steep the yarrow tea
the same as for catnip tea or any ordinary herb, and give as often as
necessary." This is a remedy that has been very much used, and will help
in a great many cases. It is perfectly harmless, and no one need have any
fear of trying it.
2. Colic, Camphor Cure for.--"One drop of camphor in a teaspoonful of
water. This remedy worked like a charm with my little girl." This acts
quickly, and is sure to give relief as it warms up the stomach.
3. Wind Colic, Castor Oil for.--"Give large doses of castor oil." Colic,
as we all know, is frequently caused by fermentation of the food in the
stomach and bowels, and castor oil is one of the best known cathartics in
a case of this kind. This can be given to small babies, in small
quantities of course.
4. Wind Colic.--A New York mother sends in the following relief
for:--"Give enough essence of wintergreen in water to make it taste for a
small babe, and more according to age. For mine I give 1/4 to 1/2, cup of
warm sweetened water. I have always used this remedy, as it was
recommended to me by my mother. It is better than peppermint as it is not
so binding."
5. Wind Colic, a Good Herb Remedy for.--Add enough water to one ounce of
snake root to make one-half pint." Give in doses according to the age of
the child. This is a good remedy, and has been used by many mothers with
good success.
6. Wind Colic.--A doctor in New York sends in the following remedy
for.--"One-half teaspoonful sweet spirits of nitre in one-third glass of
water, for baby. Increase the dose for older children or adults. This
warms the stomach, and is highly recommended."
7. Wind Colic, Cloves for.--"Make an infusion of 1 or 2 ounces of cloves.
Cloves are warming, cordial and strengthening; they expel wind, and are
good for the colic." This treatment has been known to give many a fretful
baby a good night's sleep, and will be found very useful in homes where
babies have this disease.
[610 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.--Temporary relief is obtained in attacks of colic
by emptying the bowels of irritating materials, either by an enema or
medicine. Peppermint, anise seed, catnip are effective, but may be harmful
if continued long. Gin and whisky, warm, are good when the gas is in the
stomach and upper bowel. It is always best to mix them with a solution
like the following:
Bicarbonate of soda 40 grains
Aromatic spirits of ammonia 30 drops
Enough peppermint water to make 2 ounces
Put one teaspoonful in a cup of hot water for a child one year old.
The following is good to move the bowels:
Bicarbonate of soda 40 grains
Aromatic syrup of rhubarb 4 drams
Syrup of senna 5 drams
Syrup of orange 1 ounce
One teaspoonful two or three times daily is needed in sour gassy stomach,
with constipation or foul smelling stools. Fortunately such medicine is
not often needed if the mother is careful, or baby is carefully
bottle-fed. When there is vomiting with the colic and the stools contain
curds the food is too strong. The nursing baby should be given one ounce
of warm water before nursing, and the food for the bottle-fed baby should
be made weaker by going back one formula. Sometimes peptonizing the food
for a short time will do. This is very good when the proteids (curds) are
hard for the baby to digest.