Nospamin is a liquid drug given to infants with colic, abdominal discomfort, teething pain, reflux, and other stomach disorders.
What are the constituents of Nospamin?:
Its constituents vary and may include bicarbonate, ginger, dill, fennel, and chamomile.
How to use Nospamin:
It can be administered to infants through the use of a dropper, up to 3 times per day. As a breast or bottle-feeding mother, all you have to do is simply fill the dropper with the recommended dose and drop it into your baby’s mouth, or let him suck it out.
NOTE THAT: You are not to use Nospamin on your child if he is:
- Under a month old
- Allergic to any of the ingredients,
- Or suffers from kidney problems.
There has always been a controversy amongst pediatricians and experts on the use and effectiveness of Nospamin to treat Colic. While there has been no clinical evidence for the effectiveness of Nospamin, many experts claim it helps to calm crying babies while pediatricians usually do not recommend it.
An important fact to know is this: Using Nospamin for colic is not recommended except if prescribed by a doctor for a specific purpose. Random regular use of Nospamin by moms is highly unnecessary and dangerous because of the serious side effects of the syrup.
What is Infant colic by the way? :
Infant colic is a medical condition that causes healthy infants to cry often and for long periods. During the first 3 months after birth, they cry more than any other time.
However, when a healthy baby starts to show signs of fussiness, high-pitched crying, and difficulty being comforted, it’s a sign of colic. The infants would often start their cries from late afternoons or early evenings. Infant colic may affect babies during their first weeks of life although it usually goes away by the time the baby is 4 to 6 months old.
What’s the cause of Colic? :
Colic is a bit of a mystery as its exact cause is unknown. It usually doesn't point to any health problems and eventually goes away on its own. Its fuzzy cause is why there’s not a clear way to help it. However, there are some theories of might cause infant colic. They include:
- A growing digestive system with muscles that often spasm.
- Excessive tummy gas
- Hormones that cause stomach pain or a fussy mood
- Oversensitivity by light or even noise.
- A moody baby.
- A still-developing nervous system.
It was discovered by some breastfeeding women that getting rid of caffeine in their diet helps. Some other women see improvements when they eliminate dairy, soy, or wheat products. It was also discovered that infants of mothers who smoke are more likely to have colic.
How does Nospamin help relieve Colic? :
Nospamin is believed to help relieve gas and make it easier for babies to pass gas. Some moms can swear by it that it works wonders for colic. It is more of an herbal or homeopathic remedy which those in orthodox medicine will not recommend because it is not evidence-based.
It may not always be Colic:
Sometimes there are infant conditions that seem like colic but they are not. If you are worried about your baby displaying these conditions, fix an appointment with your doctor to do a full exam to rule out a medical cause as to why your baby gets fussy and cries a lot. These are possible cases your doctor may rule out:
- Pressure or inflammation in their brain and nervous system
- A sensitivity to formula or breast milk
- An infection
- Uneven heartbeat
- Acid reflux or stomach problems
- Eye trouble, like a scratch or increased pressure
- Injury to bones, muscles, or fingers
Side-effects of Nospamin:
The following are possible side effects that may occur from using Nospamin:
Consult your doctor if you observe any of the following side effects especially if they remain persistent.
Nospamin with other medications:
Using other drugs along with Nospamin can increase your risk for the side effects and also cause your drugs not to work properly.
Ensure you tell your doctor about all the drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are using so that you can be instructed on how to prevent or manage drug interactions. Nospamin may interact negatively with the following drugs and products:
- Antacids
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
- Citrates
- Sodium bicarbonate
Has Nospamin worked for your baby at any given time? Do let us know in the comment section below.