What can I do to relieve the symptoms?

Usually, symptoms will disappear once the allergic food has been identified and eliminated from the baby’s diet. Until this happens, here are some tips to help you and your baby:

What can I do if my baby has skin reactions?

Use a daily skin care routine regularly applying moisturising creams to prevent flares and further skin damage. Ask your pharmacist for suitable creams which won’t irritate the skin further. Try and prevent scratching or rubbing whenever possible. It will also help to keep rooms at a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels. Try not to expose your baby’s skin to general irritants, such as

• wool or synthetic fibres
• soaps and detergents
• perfumes and cosmetics
• dust
• sand
• cigarette smoke
• other chemicals such as chlorine, mineral oil, or solvents

What can I do if my baby has colic or cramps?

Baby colic usually improves on its own at around three to four months of age. In the meantime, prevent your baby swallowing air by sitting him or her as upright as possible during feeding. Remember also to let your baby burp often, sitting him upright or holding him upright on your shoulder, while supporting his neck and head. Gently rub his back and tummy until he burps. It is quite normal if he or she brings up a small amount of milk when you do this. Also, when bottle feeding, don’t let your baby drink too quickly.

What can I do if my baby has reflux?

Reflux is when liquid comes back up after being swallowed and is a natural mechanism that affects all babies, some more often than others. Here are some general feeding guidelines which should limit reflux to a minimum:

• feed your baby in an upright position in a calm environment
• feed smaller portions more often rather than larger meals
• after feeding avoid jiggling your baby and allow time to burp

You can also try to adjust your baby’s sleeping position by raising the head of the cot. Tight clothing and pressure on the baby’s tummy e.g. in car seats should be avoided. Dummies can also help to neutralise some acidity in the reflux.