Colicky Baby? Probiotics to the Rescue!

It's three in the afternoon and the baby has been crying for over an hour. Exhaustion from not sleeping more than 2 consecutive hours at a time during the night is weighing heavily. Emotional frustration from what feels like constant crying, is making it worse. Then the tears start flowing, only this time it's the mom crying.

Colic can be extremely exhausting and taxing on new parents. Sleep deprevation and adjusting hormones make the situation even worse. I hit a rough patch shortly after my son was born where I am pretty sure he had colic. Upon suggestion of my chiropractor, I started directly giving him probiotics. I had been taking probiotics towards the end of my pregnancy to help get some of the good bacteria built back in his system while he was in-utero so he wouldn't be so fussy when he came out, but I don't think I took enough to combat the antibiotics I was taking.

When I started giving him probiotics, I noticed a drastic difference in just over a week. All of a sudden he seemed more content and more relaxed. Shortly after this miraculous difference, I started reading articles about many babies (and parents) who suffered from colic found relief when their babies were given probiotics. One article claimed that over 90% of colicky babies had little to no colic symptoms after a few weeks of using the probiotics. I'm sold!

It makes a lot of sense. We know that colic seems to be some sort of stomach discomfort that makes baby fussy. What better way to help the situation that to help promote the good bacteria in the stomach. This helps aid in proper digestion and boosts the immune system.

My chiropractor was a godsend. If she hadn't recommended the probiotics, I may have gone crazy! The dose is simple. Break open the capsule, pour the the powder into a resealable container, get your finger wet, dip in the probiotic powder, and let baby suck the powder off your finger. If you are nursing, you can put the powder on your nipple, or put the powder directly into baby's bottle.

I purchased the Metagenics Dairy-Free Ultra Flora Plus and I have been very happy with it. Do you use probiotics with your baby?

Secrets of Postpartum Depression

Over the last few months I am realizing that I am likely suffering from postpartum depression. For the longest time, I assumed it couldn't possibly be what was eating at me, but the more I heard from mom's who have dealt with depression, the more I feel like that is exactly what's going on.

I am not sad, I do not want to kill myself, I don't want to hurt my children. Yet, I have days that I just don't care. I still take care of my kids and go about my business as usual, but inside I lack motivation. There are days that the thought of having to bathe my children makes me feel exhausted and I haven't even done anything yet. Some days, the thought of clipping their nails seems overwhelming, and it is a tiny task. I do it anyways, but I don't get much enjoyment out of it.

I always had this idea in my head that depression meant you feel sad all the time. That's not the case! You can suffer from depression and not feel "sad" at all. I have days where I feel overwhelmed over little things and I just shut down. There have been occasions where little things would make me cry, and those things would just eat at me. Most of the time I just feel like I am living in a gray world.

Don't picture a grown woman huddled in a corner sobbing. That's not what my life looks like. Most people don't even have a clue that I am dealing with it. Really, I look like a normal person. Looking back, I think I have been dealing with this for a long time, I just never admitted it and I didn't know what "this" was. Maybe part of me knew and just didn't want to come to terms with it, or maybe I really just didn't know.

So here I am, and now that I realize what's going on, I can start making changes. I won't get on medication because I don't think the postpartum depression is serious enough. I am not a medication person to begin with, so it doesn't seem natural for my lifestyle. First, I need to change my diet. I am not eating as healthy as I should. I need to start cutting out caffeine, getting more rest, and making sure I am getting enough Vitamin D. I need to get back into exercising regulary and making better choices. I am a huge believer that mind, body, and soul are all interconnected and all areas need attention to improve overall well-being.

Have you ever suffered from depression? What did it feel like for you? What helped you get back to yourself?

Would You Share Your Breastmilk?

For my the answer is a resounding "yes!" Currently, my best friend gives my breastmilk to her son. There is nothing wrong with her or with her son. I don't have a tear-jerking story to tell about why I do it, or why she needs it. I simply do it for her because she wants to give her son breastmilk as long as she can, and at 6 months postpartum, her supply slowed. I am a big believer in giving human breastmilk to human babies.

I know what it feels like to have a drop in supply. I remember the sadness I felt when I had to start giving my daughter bottles that were half formula-half Breastmilk. I felt like I failed her. I didn't want to give her formula, but had no choice. I don't want any other moms to feel that way. However, I do realize that I can't help everyone. I was blessed enough this time around to have adequate time to pump at work, and thus ended up keeping an abundant supply. With a one-year-old I still have about 5 grocery bags filled with breastmilk in our chest freezer.

Usually I would have stopped pumping when my son turned one, but this time I just kept right on going. The only difference now is that the milk I pump now will go to my best friends baby. My son will still breastfeed for awhile, so I don't feel like he is missing out on anything. Instead, I feel like I am doing a good deed to help my friend out.

Have you ever shared your breastmilk for a friend or stranger? What made you decide to do it?