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Health and Wellness Magazine • 43 What is the best way to calm a fussy or colicky baby? About 20 percent of all babies develop a degree of colic or fussiness at 3 weeks of age. Symptoms include long-term scream- ing, crying inconsolably, pulling up or extending the legs, and passing gas. This is obviously hard on the baby and parents, but there are a few things that can help. If a baby has pure colic, provide white noise to simulate time back in the womb. It sounds similar to the mother's rushing blood flow and is calming. Some breast-fed babies can become irritated by foods in the mother's diet, so eliminate caffeine, dairy and spicy or gassy foods, such as beans, onions or cabbage. Also thoroughly burp a baby after feeding because some colic is caused by gas or non-acid gas - troesophageal reflux. If gas is left over after burping, hold the baby at a 30-degree angle for 20 to 30 minutes to help it release. Also be careful of over feeding; wait at least two to three hours in between feedings. Swaddling babies in a large, thin blan- ket, walking with or gently rocking them, and talking in a soothing voice can also help. Use a pacifier only if the baby is a non-aggressive sucker. —robert gin, Md Littleton Pediatric medical center, Highlands ranch What do parents need to watch for if their kids are in a repetitive-motion sport from a young age? More kids are participating in team sports starting at a young age (14 and younger) and training and competing year-round. This stresses the same muscles repeat- edly without rest periods and leaves little time for recreational play, which is more relaxed and works a variety of muscles. Competitive sports can cause repeti- tive-motion injuries, over-use injuries, and, in extreme cases, tendinitis or stress fractures. In young kids, these symptoms menses, but some find it to be anxiety- provoking, as they could be pregnant again and not know it. It is important to use contraception even during nursing, because ovulation occurs before bleeding returns, making it possible to get pregnant. Your doctor can offer options for PMS relief, from nutritional and supplemental changes to prescription antidepressants, if symptoms are severe. Some women notice worsened PMS with each pregnancy, so it is prudent to get help before getting pregnant again. —Susanna Choi, Md integrated Wellness center, Parker What are some unspoken concerns women experience following vaginal deliveries? I ' m f r e q u e n t l y a s k e d b y m o t h e r s why they weren't informed of some of the permanent effects of vaginal childbirth, such as urinary and fecal incontinence and decreased sexual s a t i s f a c t i o n . O f t e n , w o m e n a r e too embarrassed to bring up these issues with their doctors, or, when they do, they feel their concerns are downplayed. Following childbirth, it's common for women to experience painful sex, leakage of urine or feces, loss of vaginal sensation, and torn, uneven or oversized labia that makes everyday activities like exercise and intercourse uncomfortable. Serious conditions, such as vaginal or uterine prolapse — w h e n o r g a n s i n s i d e t h e b o d y protrude through the vagina — can also occur. T h e r e a r e t r e a t m e n t s a n d procedures for these and other post- pregnancy concerns, such as excess fat, loose or sagging skin, and breast changes, many of them minimally invasive and with minimal downtime (see RealMommyMakeover.com). Talk to your doctor about options or seek another opinion if necessary. —oscar a. aguirre, Md aguirre specialty care, denver are sometimes chalked up to growing pains. However, there are clear warning signs it's something serious: pain, inabil- ity to finish practice or games, avoidance of an activity, and certain movement patterns, such as limping or declining performance that is unexplainable. Kids should get at least one or two days of rest per week and a few months off per year that are not simultaneous, especial- ly when playing multiple sports. Plenty of rest and balanced meals with lots of calcium to support their growing bodies is also very important, as their attention span, muscles and coordination skills are still developing, as well as the chance to just enjoy being a kid. More information is available in the American Academy of Pediatrics sports specialization policy statement. —Brooke k Pengel, Md rocky mountain Youth sports medicine institute rocky mountain Hospital for children, centennial May I give Tylenol to my baby before an immunization? Holding and feeding babies immediate- ly following injections would be the best pain-relief option. I don't recommend that parents give pain relievers, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), before an immunization for a few reasons: To begin with, there are studies to suggest that this decreases the effective- ness of the vaccine. Secondly, fevers are not necessarily bad. They are a body's natural response and are no longer believed to be harmful. ASK A PEdiATriCiAN Dr. Robert Gin Dr. Brooke Pengel Dr. Bryan Kono Local Physicians address Health concerns of Parents