A: About one in five babies suffers from colic, crying intensely for more than three hours a day, often in the evening. If your baby has it, he will typically draw his knees up and have a rigid back. It can continue for as much as a month or two, and even though it’s a relatively short time, it can make your life a misery. But remember, it’s a harmless condition, and doesn’t mean your baby is in any danger.

A: Nobody is sure what causes colic, although trapped gas is sometimes blamed. There is no single cause for colic and no single cure. But experts think it could be a combination of a number of things:

1. Your baby’s immature nervous system

Basically, this means that your baby feels a bit overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds around him now that he's out of the snug womb. Until it all starts marking more sense to him, the only reaction available is to cry.




2. Your baby’s diet

Research is still underway into the causes of colic, but one theory is that your colicky baby might not yet have a fully developed digestive system.




If you’re breastfeeding, perhaps you’re eating something that’s unsettling your baby. Experiment with cutting out certain foods to see if it makes a difference.




If you’re formula feeding, make sure that the nipple is always full of milk so your baby doesn’t take in too much air, and try to stop him from gulping down the milk too quickly. Excessive gas can make a baby unsettled and colicky.




3. Your baby’s environment

Studies have shown that new moms who smoke around their babies, or who smoked during pregnancy are more likely to have colicky babies. It’s thought that the toxins in the smoke could cause your baby’s system to produce a certain type of protein, which can upset digestion.

A: Sometimes you just have to wait it out. In the meantime, here are some things that you can try:

• Rock your baby. This can be very soothing. Try an infant swing, a rocking chair or take your baby out for a drive.
• Burp your baby more during feeds, and try colic drops to see if this eases the symptoms.
• Check your diet if you’re breastfeeding to see if there are any foods which may unsettle your baby.
• If you are formula feeding, check that you are preparing your baby's infant formula correctly. Is it too hot or too cold? You may need to change the type of bottle or nipple.  Do not change your baby’s milk without talking to your healthcare professional first.
• Wrap your baby up in a snug blanket, or carry your baby in a sling to make him feel more secure.
• Check the obvious and make sure your baby is not crying because of hunger, tiredness or other discomfort such as diaper rash.
• If you are worried about your baby’s crying, talk to your healthcare professional.
• Make sure you get a break. It can be very distressing if your baby won’t stop crying. Find a way to take a little time out – perhaps a friend or family member can help.

A: The Canadian Paediatric Society Nutrition Committee recommends the introduction of solid foods at six months to meet your baby's increasing nutritional requirements and development needs.¹

1. Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada, 2005

A: Let your baby tell you. All babies have different appetites. Start with small amounts. Look for signs that your baby is full, such as pushing the spoon away, looking away, or spitting out food.

A: It's better to use a soft plastic spoon, and not a metal spoon, as soft plastic is gentler on your baby's gums. It is also recommended that you dispense jarred baby food using a soft plastic spoon to minimize the chance of accidentally breaking the glass jar.

A: It is not recommended to feed baby food directly from the container.  Enzymes from the baby's (or caregiver's) saliva cause the carbohydrate content to break down.  This results in the food becoming very watery.

We recommend that you remove the portion to be consumed from the jar with a clean spoon, and place the product in a clean feeding dish.  The remainder of the jar can be immediately stored in the refrigerator.  It is important not to touch the unused portion of food with any feeding utensil that has been in contact with the mouth, as even very small amounts of saliva can contain sufficient enzymes to cause the food to go watery.

A: It usually takes a little while for babies to grow to like a new taste. Try several times, once every few days. If he still doesn't want it, try to reintroduce it at a later date. If he does not eat it, simply remove the food. Never force your baby to eat.

A: Some people think the terms 'food allergy' and 'food intolerance' mean the same thing but they don’t.

Food allergies are rare and happen when a harmless food is wrongly interpreted by the immune system as being harmful. The symptoms of allergy include tingling lips and rashes. In some cases the reaction is severe, and the problem food must be carefully avoided.

A food intolerance is an adverse, food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system.  Lactose intolerance is one example of a food intolerance. Someone with a lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar. When these people consume milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain occurs.

A: While any food can trigger an allergic reaction, Health Canada identifies nine priority food allergens. They are:

1. Peanuts
2. Tree nuts
3. Sesame seeds
4. Eggs
5. Fish (including shellfish and crustaceans)
6. Milk
7. Soy
8. Wheat
9. Sulphites

A: Allergic reactions may be identified by a variety of symptoms. They include:

• Respiratory: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, voice changes and choking.
• Nasal: sneezing, blocked nose and runny nose.
• Digestive: diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or problems swallowing.
• Skin :  hives, swelling of the face or tongue, itching or eczema.
• Eyes : itchiness, redness, watery eyes and swelling.
• Cardiovascular: pale skin, dizziness or loss of consciousness.

A: Microwaves heat unevenly, creating hot spots within the food which could burn your baby’s mouth. Avoid using microwaves if possible but if you use one, always stir the heated baby food or shake the milk thoroughly so the heat is evenly distributed. And always make sure you check the temperature of the food before you feed your baby.

A: Uneaten baby food can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days (2 days for meats) as long as it hasn’t been in contact with the spoon you used to feed your baby. Use a clean spoon to transfer food to a bowl.

When you are ready to use the uneaten portion, make sure you heat it until it is piping hot, then cool it naturally until it is a safe temperature before feeding your baby. You should only reheat baby food once – if your child doesn't eat it all, you should make sure that you throw any leftover food away.

A: If you're feeding your baby directly from the jar, chances are you've transferred his saliva to the jar. Saliva contains an enzyme which breaks down carbohydrates, creating a watery consistency. Use a clean spoon to remove each portion to a bowl and feed from the bowl.

A: All jarred baby foods are vacuum sealed and sterilized, so they will not spoil, provided the vacuum seal is intact. When you open the jar at home, you should hear the familiar "pfft pop" sound. If you don't hear the POP, or the button is up, or the plastic seal is broken, do not feed the contents to your baby. Take the jar back to the store for a replacement.

While vacuum-sealed food won't spoil, for optimal taste and complete vitamin retention, product should be consumed prior to the "best before" date printed on the top of the jar or plastic tub.