The 0-6 month old
In more recent years it has become evident to both parents and healthcare professionals alike that the incidence of intolerances to varying components of our diet and/or chemicals in our environment has escalated exponentially. This, along with, alteration to gut microbiome, is considered by many to be the root cause of many an unsettled infant.
Either the breastfed infant reacting to a component in the breast milk - perhaps from the maternal diet or lifestyle - or the formula fed infant demonstrating an incompatibility to a component of the particular formula ingested, may well be regarded with some suspicion.
But what of the infant gut flora? That is, the good bacteria and organisms in the bowel that are responsible for a healthy digestive process. The theory of not receiving adequate bacteria impregnation via the maternal vagina if a surgical birth has occurred, or the alteration of the gut microbiome by the requirement of antibiotics, either by the mother during pregnancy or birth or infant in the newborn period, perhaps has some merit here.
Or the suggestion that vaccines in some way alter the gut flora, with particular consideration to the oral rotavirus vaccine. Who knows?
What we are most interested in, of course, is that, regardless of cause, your baby is unsettled. Perhaps they may be symptomatic of gut issues, and exhibit belching, noisy digestion or creating and eliminating lots of wind via their anus, known as flatulence.
Or there may be skin rashes, dry skin patches, snuffly breathing or grunting, cradle cap, mucusy/shiny/stringy bowel actions or even evidence of blood in stools. Mucus production indicates irritation, irritation creates inflammation, inflammation may cause abdominal discomfort and subsequently irritable behavior. All of these symptoms may be indicative of an incompatibility or an intolerance to something the infant is ingesting.
What of tongue, lip and buccal ties? Do they have an impact on infant behaviours? Often the challenge for parents is finding a healthcare professional who has been trained to recognise and diagnose oral ties, in the first instance. The professional must also have an understanding of what this may mean to not only feeding, but infant behavior, and not all healthcare professionals do!
Let’s not forget the most obvious, but often trickiest root cause of unsettled behaviours in your baby... being overtired. Yes, I know this seems a little flippant, but often this is a bit of a ‘light bulb’ moment for many parents, as they recognise many of the signs of overtiredness in their baby, that adults experience also. I’m talking about feeling overstimulation and irritated by noise and light, dysregulation and having difficulty settling to sleep, restless arms and legs, needing a cuddle and feeling a bit ‘snuggly and sooky’ or, conversely, finding touch just another form of stimulation that irritates, that sensation of ‘falling’ as you drift to sleep that keeps waking you, and perhaps even feeling some nausea.
As you start to think about some of these possible causes of unsettled behaviour, you may discover that your baby is ticking more than one box. Whilst it is exciting to think you may be closer to getting some answers, and have a 2-hour nap or an undisturbed night, in your sights, you are now feeling somewhat confused and more than a little overwhelmed as to what to do next. My advice would be …. reach out to someone with fresh eyes, a listening ear and qualification, expertise and skill to investigate, advise and support you as you go through the process.
In these important first few months of life, it is paramount that the root cause of these unsettled signs is investigated. My advice would be, trust your instinct and don’t rest on your laurels and accept explanation from those well-meaning folk who state:
‘Its just a phase, his neurons are connecting … it will all be over by 12-weeks’
‘He’s entering the third developmental leap’
‘Oh he’s going through the 4-month sleep regression’
‘Here’s the Purple Cry information, it will help you to understand’
Sound familiar? Advice given with the best of intention, if not, a little desperation in trying to help when they truly haven’t the answer. Instead, find yourself a compassionate, experienced professional, who will thoroughly examine your baby and carefully listen to your story. This individual should then be able to either eliminate causes or assist you to circumnavigate our healthcare system, providing advocation and source treatment intervention, if needed.
Copyright Louise Shalders.
