Is It OK to Give Infacol to Newborn After or Before a Feed
For any first-time mom, the health and well-being of the baby are important. It’s overwhelming to get through that world of baby care, from feeding to sleeping patterns and everything in between.
Issues of colic, gas, and discomfort are common for most moms. Over-the-counter products such as Infacol, an antacid medicine that helps alleviate infant gas and colic, are always highly recommended to soothe these worries.
However, many parents are unsure about the best time to administer Infacol to newborns—whether it should be given before or after a feed.
In this article, we will explore the purpose of Infacol, its potential benefits and risks, and guide how and when to give Infacol to newborns. By the end, you will better understand how to use this product to support your baby’s comfort and health.
What is Infacol?
Infacol is a medication prescribed for the treatment of wind and colic in babies, which are frequent complaints at an early stage.
The active ingredient in Infacol is simethicone, an anti-foaming agent that liquefies the gas bubbles in the stomach and intestines, making them less obstructive to pass. Infacol helps reduce the formation of gas bubbles that could relieve pain from colic and excessive gas.
Colic is characterized by the excessive crying and fussiness of infants, sometimes beginning a few months after birth and even because of trapped gas in the stomach.
Infacol is one over-the-counter remedy recommended by many to babies under such discomforts. Since it is safe, its use will always depend on adherence to the accompanied guidelines on dosage.
How Does Infacol Work?
Infacol works through gas bubbles breaking down in the stomach and intestines. Whenever a baby swallows air during feeding, whether from the breast or bottle feeding, the air gets trapped within the digestive system, creates discomfort and bloating, and is quite irritable and gassy for the little guy.
The active ingredient of Infacol, Simethicone, diminishes the surface tension, which enables gas bubbles to merge and eventually generate bigger bubbles that pass with ease.
It is widely prescribed for infants with colic or infantile wind, two of babies’ most common causes of discomfort. Infacol does not treat or soothe any other digestive tract condition, such as constipation, and it isn’t a medication that will resolve reflux or severe gastrointestinal distress.
Infacol can be used safely within the recommended dose and can be an effective added resource for the parent who is trying to help relieve his/her crying baby’s distress.
When to Use Infacol on Infants?
Diarrhea, constipation, and other forms of digestive upset are very common with newborns, especially in the first few months of life, since the digestive system is still developing. Of course, some babies are just innately fussier than others.
Still, many babies have a bout of colic at some point, wherein they are far more irritable and uncomfortable than usual, usually peaking when they are about six weeks old and disappearing by the time the infant is three to four months.
Infacol helps reduce colic and gas; most pediatricians advise its use as a part of the overall treatment approach to soothe babies with these complaints.
Nonetheless, most parents tend to be puzzled over the proper time to administer Infacol to babies before or after feeding. We, therefore, need to see how the time at which Infacol is given affects its efficacy.
Infacol Administration to Newborn Before and After Feeding
Most parents would question, “Would I give Infacol to newborns before or after feeding?” There isn’t an easy way to answer the question because it all depends on the baby’s needs and their feeding pattern. Let’s discuss both options for a clearer understanding of when the medicine will be most effective.
Sally Elliott concludes that giving Infacol before feed is common among many parents. The medication then influences the infant at this juncture, before the baby starts feeding.
It is assumed that Infacol shall prevent the gas from getting inside as the baby feeds, which may cause discomfort as it swallows air during feeding.
Benefits of Administering Infacol before a feed
Noteworthy is that Infacol may take some time to start working; hence, giving it before feeding ensures that the baby will have it in the system longer, which may further enhance its effectiveness.
– Prevents wind beforehand: If your baby tends to suck up quite a lot of air during feeding, the use of Infacol even before feeding will prevent accumulation and assure minimal pain during and after feeding.
– Less time is taken for relief: Giving the medicine before feeding will provide instant relief if given in time, as there is less chance of building up extra air during feeding, thus reducing the chance of colic and gassiness in babies.
It helps in an initial digestion process: Since Infacol works in its functionality of reducing the surface tension of the gas bubbles, it can be administered before feeding to assist in the early stages of digestion and make it easier for babies to pass more gas naturally.
Benefits of administering Infacol after a feed:
Some mothers may opt to give Infacol to their newborn after feeding. This will be helpful when the baby is uncomfortable or colicky right after feeding.
- Relieving post-feeding discomfort: If your baby is more uncomfortable after feeding, Infacol given post-feeding may also assist in the relief of gas and bloating from building up once the milk begins digesting.
- Aids in the release of gas: Sometimes, during feeding, trapped gas bubbles might cause bloating and discomfort. In such a case, administering Infacol after the feed makes it possible for the infant to release the gas, which can help eliminate discomfort.
- The calming effect after feeding distress: Many babies usually feel slightly discomfort hours after feeding time, especially after swallowing air. Administering Infacol can soothe discomfort, even when the baby tends to cry or fidget much less.
Since Infacol works by helping to break down the gas bubbles, giving this in association with feeding can ensure that the baby can pass any trapped air more easily and relieve discomfort when it occurs in the process.
Best Practice When Administering Infacol
Even though Infacol will be very helpful in soothing the colic and the wind, it should be used correctly for safety and effectiveness to be guaranteed. Below are some dos and don’ts of how to use Infacol with your newborn:
1. Dosage Instructions
Care should be taken in administering the recommended dose of Infacol because giving more than or less than the correct amount may lead to failure.
The usual dose is one drop full or about 0.5 ml with each feed before or after. Dosage should not go beyond the stated daily dose. Check the product package or ask a pediatrician.
2. Consistent Use
It should be taken regularly for Infacol to be effective. The giving of Infacol to a baby should be continued over several days up to a week to ensure that the symptoms of the baby are relieved.
Continuous use will reduce the buildup of gas in the baby’s stomach, hence the relief from discomfort.
3. Administer Before or After Each Feed
If you instill Infacol before or after feeding, make sure to have it simultaneously both before and after every feed. This creates a routine that efficiently tackles your baby’s digestive discomfort.
4. Watch Out for Baby’s Response
As with any other medication, feedback response to the infant should be monitored during treatment with Infacol. If your baby appears to be relieved by the drug from colic and gas, then you can go ahead with the treatment using the product.
However, if you do not see any relief or if your infant has shown adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, or even rash, you need to immediately discontinue the product and refer to your pediatrician.
- Used with Other Soothing Techniques
Infacol usually works more effectively with other soothing techniques to relieve colic and gas. These might include gentle tummy massages, frequent burping of the baby between and after feedings, and sitting your baby upright to prevent taking too much air into the system.
Are There Any Possible Side Effects or Complications?
Infacol is usually considered safe for infants, but, like any medication, there are some known side effects or risks. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea can occur in some babies.
Color changes in stools can also happen. These are rare and cease once the body has adjusted to the medication.
If you notice any signs of a problem or if your baby has an allergic reaction, such as swelling, trouble breathing, or skin rashes, consult a doctor immediately.
When to Consult Doctor
Infacol is safe and effective for most babies. However, you must see your pediatrician when:
- The discomfort persists even after using Infacol.
- There are changes in your baby’s behavior, such as extreme crankiness or refusal to feed.
- Your baby develops side effects that trouble you.
- You have questions about how much and when to administer Infacol.
Depending on how your baby responds to the symptoms and if the baby’s doctor suspects that the discomfort could be brought about by something other than colic or gas, your pediatrician might prescribe other treatments or therapies.
Wrapping Up!
Summary Infacol for newborns can be an effective and safe method to relieve the discomfort from colic and gas.
Usually, its administration should be either before or after a feed, depending on the baby’s requirements and patterns of discomfort. Both kinds can be very efficient, so the mothers need only to observe the baby to know which timing best works for them.
Infacol should be part of a wider scope of managing your baby’s discomfort, such as changing feeding techniques, appropriate burping, and an environment that comforts your baby. Always follow the dosage instructions carefully and consult your pediatrician.
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