Anti-colic Bottle

Which formula to use with an anti-colic bottle?

Some studies suggest that babies with colic improve when their formula is changed to soy-based or hypoallergenic formula. However, the results of these studies are not conclusive. Before changing it is important to consult your paediatrician or paediatric nurse.

There are currents that suggest trying a different formula for a week (for bottle-fed babies). If there is no change, restart the original formula. Keep in mind that hypoallergenic milk of soda-based formulas are more expensive than traditional formula and do not need to be continued if the crying does not improve after a week of trying the new formula.

What are the best anti-colic bottles?

Nowadays there are a multitude of possibilities on the market with regard to colic and that makes us feel fortunate to have a variety to choose from, although sometimes it can make us hesitate.

But the most important thing is that one way or the other works, and the decision will be more about whether to use a bottle with many parts, which is cumbersome to clean, or rather a bottle that has a system integrated into the teat that also works perfectly and I won’t have to make cleaning complicated.

You will also want to consider whether I want to use a generic bottle, with the extra risk of losing my breastfeeding, or go for a bottle that is custom designed to protect my breastfeeding, such as Happymami.

This decision must be adapted to the needs of each family member, and whatever you decide is always right. Of course, always follow the guidelines on how to give a bottle, as well as using techniques to prevent and/or solve colic.

Which bottle is closest to the breast?

Currently, the most breast-like bottles are the Happymami custom-designed bottles. Because all the brands always mention that they are the closest bottle to the mother’s breast, but which breast? because there are infinite forms. That’s why the Happymami project was born, to give the opportunity to design the most representative bottle for each mum, from her breast. Thus preventing as much as possible the confounding factor, protecting their breastfeeding.

Also, with regard to colic, when you use the bottle closest to your breast, your baby knows perfectly well how to manage your breastfeeding. If we reproduce bottle-feeding as much as possible, there is less likelihood of colic.

Why use an anti-colic bottle?

If your baby suffers from colic and you need to use a bottle, the best thing to do is to use an anti-colic bottle that will help you during this stage. However, it is also true that if you are considering using a bottle to feed your baby, the recommendation is always to use an anti-colic bottle. And this is because it has been described that there is a higher risk for our babies to suffer from infant colic if they are bottle-fed than breast-fed, so prevention may be the best tool.

How do I know if my baby needs an anti-colic bottle?

Whenever you are going to use a bottle, offering a bottle with an anti-colic system will help to avoid these discomforts for your baby. In addition, if your baby suffers from infant colic, the use of a specific anti-colic bottle will be much more advisable. To help you recognise if your baby has colic, here are the key points that professionals use to help us assess whether or not it is colic.

• • Feeding patterns of your baby:

This section includes your baby’s defecation, urination and sleep patterns, including vomiting. Thus we distinguish between possible colic or the possibility of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

• • Prenatal and perinatal history:

This section includes risk factors for sepsis, such as premature rupture of membranes, maternal fever, maternal colonisation with group B streptococcus.

• • Psychosocial history:

Including assessment of parent-child interactions and the perceptions and interactions of family members such as grandparents, who may play a role in parenting style and calming techniques.

• • When does baby crying occur?

This question is crucial because colicky crying usually occurs during the night. If crying occurs directly after feeding it may be associated with air swallowing or gastro-oesophageal reflux. And it may respond to changes in feeding technique (placing your baby more upright, using smaller volumes… etc).

• • How long does a baby’s cry last?

The duration will be key to differentiate between a normal cry or a colicky type, remembering that colicky crying is characterised by “excessive crying”. A colicky baby often cries for more than three hours a day for more than three days a week.

• • What do you do when your baby cries?

This question provides information on relaxation techniques that are helpful, or not helpful. Because if there is a cry that we do nothing about, the crying will continue, but this does not mean that it is colic, but simply that we are not solving the need that provokes the crying.

• • How and what do you feed your baby?

In this question we look for underfeeding, overfeeding and inadequate feeding, which are often proposed aetiologies of colic and may simply be due to changes in your baby’s feeding techniques.

• • Why do you think your baby cries?

Understanding what the family thinks about the crying is very helpful in formulating a case management plan, particularly with regard to parental support.

• • How do you feel when your baby cries?

A question that can be answered in a thousand ways, from feeling responsible for the crying, to feeling annoyed by the crying. In this way we will determine those possible cases of risk of harm to the baby as mentioned below.

Sequelae of colic in newborns

Colic-like crying for babies is not harmful in the short or long term. However, in the literature consulted, it is described that occasionally there are cases where parents of babies who cry a lot may resort to hurting their babies to try to stop the crying, which fortunately is rare.

Interestingly, there is no negative association between colic as such and later infant impairment, but there are observational studies suggesting that infant colic is associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression and early cessation of breastfeeding.

Shaking a colicky baby

Another very relevant fact is the fact that in a study in the United States with a sample of 3,259 cases, they anonymously answered a questionnaire about their actions to prevent their baby from crying, and a chilling result was obtained. It found that 2.2 and 3.7 per cent, respectively, reported choking, slapping or shaking their baby at least once because of crying. Behaviour was more likely to occur when parents were concerned about the crying or considered it excessive.

Shaken baby syndrome is the term used to describe injuries suffered by infants who are violently shaken, often by a parent or other adult who is overwhelmed by excessive crying. Babies do not have enough neck strength to limit head movement, and the shaking causes the head to move suddenly and uncontrollably. As the head moves back and forth, the brain hits the inside of the skull and causes severe damage and even death.

Resting your baby’s colic

There are many techniques for treating colic, but the latest recommendations also place great importance on promoting rest for the mother and father of a baby who cries excessively.

It is normal to need a break from a child who cries excessively. If you are alone and need a break, leave the baby in a safe place for a few minutes; the baby should be placed on its back in a cot or bassinet with side rails. Loose blankets, pillows and toys that could suffocate the newborn should be removed.

This break will allow you to make a call to a friend or family member for help. Shaking, choking or slapping will not stop a baby’s crying, but can seriously injure or even kill it. It is so serious that even in the United States, you can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and speak to a professional counsellor.

Conclusion Anti-colic bottle

If you need a bottle, using a bottle with an anti-colic system will be essential to prevent colic in your baby, as well as to help you if your baby is currently suffering from colic. Also, remember that the goals of treatment for colic are to reduce the baby’s crying, help the family cope and prevent long-term difficulties in family relationships. Many doctors recommend trying several strategies at once.

At this stage it is very normal to feel frustrated, angry, exhausted, guilty and helpless because of your baby’s crying and it does not indicate that you are doing it wrong, or that you are incapable or unworthy of caring for your baby. Lots of encouragement at this stage, which really is a passing stage.

Anti-colic bottle bibliography

Teri Lee Turner, MD, MPH, MEdShea Palamountain. Patient education: Colic (excessive crying) in infants (Beyond the Basics) [Internet]. Uptodate.com. 2021 [citado el 19 de diciembre de 2022]. Disponible en: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/colic-excessive-crying-in-infants-beyond-the-basics?search=anticolicos&topicRef=612&source=related_link

Teri Lee Turner, MD, MPH, MEdShea Palamountain. Infantile colic: Clinical features and diagnosis [Internet]. Uptodate.com. [citado el 19 de diciembre de 2022]. Disponible en: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/infantile-colic-clinical-features-and-diagnosis?search=anticolicos&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1