MODULE 8

The following exercise will help you learn a little more about colic and provide you with some coping techniques.

Click on the option button which corresponds to the correct answer and verify your answer by clicking on the "Check" button.

1	We do not know the cause of colic. a) True b) False Right answer! Nobody knows what causes colic and why only certain babies have colic.Wrong answer! Nobody knows what causes colic and why only certain babies have colic.

2	Colic always occurs during the night. a) True b) False Right answer! Colic occurs mostly in the evening.Wrong answer! Colic occurs mostly in the evening.

3

Colic begins at birth and disappears when the baby is two months old. a) True b) False Right answer! Colic usually begins during the first weeks after birth. In most cases, colic stops when the baby reaches three or four months old.Wrong answer! Colic usually begins during the first weeks after birth. In most cases, colic stops when the baby reaches three or four months old.

4

Colic is often mistaken for crying related to other causes. a) True b) False Right answer! Talk with your health care provider or public health nurse to be sure that there are no other reasons causing your baby to cry.Wrong answer! Talk with your health care provider or public health nurse to be sure that there are no other reasons causing your baby to cry.

5

If your baby has colic, you may need help. a) True b) False Right answer! If your baby has colic, get as much rest and help as you can. Let others take care of the baby, make meals, and take care of the other children. Remember that this situation will not last forever.Wrong answer! If your baby has colic, get as much rest and help as you can. Let others take care of the baby, make meals, and take care of the other children. Remember that this situation will not last forever.

6

A calm atmosphere can help a baby with colic. a) True b) False Right answer! Try to stay calm and keep the baby calm. Play soft, soothing music. Hum or sing. Walk or rock your baby. Rub the baby's back for comfort and to help pass gas.Wrong answer! Try to stay calm and keep the baby calm. Play soft, soothing music. Hum or sing. Walk or rock your baby. Rub the baby's back for comfort and to help pass gas.

7

Babies with colic should never be placed on their tummy. a) True b) False Right answer!Try different positions to comfort the baby. Lay your baby on their tummy and rub their back or lay the baby on their back and rub their tummy. Place a warm cloth on the tummy or bath the baby in the tub.Wrong answer! Try different positions to comfort the baby. Lay your baby on their and rub his/her back or lay the baby on their back and rub his/her tummy. Place a warm cloth on the tummy or bath the baby in the tub.

8

Noise and movement can sometimes help colicky babies. a) True b) False Right answer! Use an infant carrier with the baby facing you. You can carry and comfort your baby when you have to do other things. Take the baby for a ride in the car or carriage. Noise and movement can sometimes help. Wrong answer! Use an infant carrier with the baby facing you. You can carry and comfort your baby when you have to do other things. Take the baby for a ride in the car or carriage. Noise and movement can sometimes help.

9

If you smoke, the nicotine is passed to the baby in the breast milk and can make the baby irritable. a) True b) False Right answer! You should consider quitting smoking, diminishing the number of cigarettes you smoke, or smoking only after feeding the baby. If you smoke cigarettes, breastfeeding can provide your baby with protective factors from the breastmilk (i.e. less respiratory illness).Wrong answer! You should consider quitting smoking, diminishing the number of cigarettes you smoke, or smoking only after feeding the baby. If you smoke cigarettes, breastfeeding can provide your baby with protective factors from the breastmilk (i.e. less respiratory illness).

Colic is not an illness. A colicky baby cries a lot more than other babies. Nothing seems to comfort or stop them from crying. A colicky baby can be frustrating for parents. If you have a colicky baby, do not blame yourself because you are not responsible.

A baby with colic

• cries as if in pain after a feeding.
• pulls his knees up to his chest.
• may pass gas or vomit.
• cries for long periods no matter what you do.

All babies cry and many babies cry a lot. They cry because it is the only way they have to let you know that they need something.

When your baby cries, try to find out why. With time, you will recognize your baby's different cries and know what to do.

Babies cry because they need food, love, attention, or cuddling. When you respond to crying, you are helping your baby learn that help and love come when needed. A baby whose needs are met will feel safe, secure, and loved, not spoiled.

The following table will help you identify the reasons why your baby cries and what to do.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, your baby will continue to cry. This can be very frustrating.

Babies are very easily hurt if they are handled rougly or shaken. Shaking your baby can cause death or permanent brain damage. Make sure that everyone who handles your baby knows about ''Shaken Baby Syndrome''.

It is easy to say ''stay calm'', but this can be very difficult to do. If you feel your temper rising and are afraid that you might hurt your baby, you should:

To help lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a healthy baby should be placed on his/her back to sleep for every sleep. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a crib, cradle, or bassinet that meets current Canadian regulations. Also, infants who share a room with a parent or caregiver for the first 6 months have a lower risk of SIDS.

Newborns snooze and sleep whenever they are tired. They have no real sense of being "awake" or "asleep". Each new baby establishes a pattern of sleeping and waking. As you get to learn your baby's patterns, you will know when he or she is sleeping, awake, and when in a quiet alert state.

You can help your baby learn the difference between sleeping and waking by putting the baby in their crib when he or she is very sleepy and interacting and communicating with your baby when he or she is awake. Babies will learn to associate their crib with sleep.

Here are a few tips to make the nights easier.

Babies who lie in one position for long periods can develop flat spots on their heads. This happens because the bones of the baby's skull are very soft in the first year of life. In addition, babies have weak neck muscles and have difficulty turning their heads on their own.

This is what you can do to prevent your baby from getting flat spots on his/her head.

Breast milk provides all the nutrients your baby needs. In certain cases, supplements may be recommended.

Vitamin D is needed to develop healthy bones and teeth. Health Canada recommends giving a Vitamin D supplement to babies who are breastfed from birth. You should continue giving the supplement until such time that he or she gets enough Vitamin D in other foods or until the baby reaches one year old.

For more information about Vitamin D supplements, consult a health care professional - doctor, pharmacist, dietician, or nutritionist.

Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. You will find all the information you need to successfully breastfeed your baby in Module 4 entitled "Choosing to Breastfeed".

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby, but that does not mean that you will automatically know how to do it. Most mothers need advice and support especially during the first six weeks when everything is new.

Here are a few tips to help you breastfeed.

Caring for an infant requires skill and practice. No one is born knowing how to bathe, dress, feed, and diaper a baby. Most parents learn these skills as their baby grows.

Don't worry if you feel awkward and uncertain at first. In no time, looking after your baby will feel natural.

Newborns have a certain amount of control over their muscles. They can move their arms and legs, hold your finger, and turn their head toward the breast.

Babies' heads are wobbly and need to be supported when picked up. Babies cannot balance their heads well until they are a few months old.

Your baby's body, mind, and feelings all develop at the same time. Even in the first few weeks, you can teach your baby a lot.

This is how you can contribute to your baby's development.

Newborns have excellent hearing. In fact, while they are in the womb, they can hear their own heartbeats as well as noises from the outside.

Babies like to listen to voices, music, and sounds like a washing machine or a dishwasher.

Sudden loud noises can make babies cry or wake them up. Even so, there is no reason to keep the house quiet for the baby. Babies get used to everyday noises.