What you need to know about baby colic
Baby colic basically is described by three rules: If your baby cries for 3 hours a day, for at least 3 days a week, for 3 consecutive weeks.
1) Symptoms of baby colic
- What are some other symptoms to look for?
- Intense crying episodes (sometimes with predictable daily patterns)
- Inconsolable crying episodes with no apparent trigger
- Arching of back, clenching of fists, recoiling to touch, and other physical/posture changes
- No doubt about it, mamas and papas can really struggle with feelings of helplessness and frustration when baby has these symptoms. But, there is a reason for your baby’s extreme fussiness and there are natural ways to treat baby colic. (So, don’t despair!)
You cannot prevent colic, but if may be able to lessen the frequency of episodes.
2) How to reduce baby colic
i) Follow a clean nursing diet
- If you’re a breastfeeding mama, you should stop foods that can trigger baby colic symptoms. So are other common foods like eggs, shellfish, citrus, caffeine and spicy foods and milk products at times. While it’s certainly no fun to give up some of your favorite foods, it’s worth your effort and feeding small amounts can be of great help too.
- Baby’s immature digestive systems can react to various foods’ You’ll want to eliminate these allergic foods and give it a good 2-4 weeks to be sure they are cleared from your body and milk
ii) If you using formula try a different one
- Your child may be reacting to something in her baby formula. Some moms find that changing formulas can make all the difference.
iii) Be sure your baby is well rested
- Try next nap time 15 minutes earlier. The point is be sure your baby is getting the rest she needs, when she needs it. This will only help baby colic symptoms
iv) Hush
- Some babies are comforted by motion, noise, and activity, but others need less stimulation and respond better to quiet, stillness, and darkness.
v) Gently bouncing up and down
- It might be easier for your baby to settle if you walk around the house carrying her in a front carrier or sling. She may prefer being held higher in the pack, close to your chest and your heartbeat. Or try gently bouncing up and down in this position while hugging your baby close.
vi) Try to place the baby in a different position
- Your baby might be most comfortable cradled in your arms, or he might prefer a more upright position, or even lying tummy-down across your lap. Try different positions when he’s upset to see if he seems to prefer one position over another
vii) Give the baby a stroll.
- If you’ve been indoors, it may help to take your baby for a walk in a stroller, sling, or front carrier. The new sights, sounds, and smells may distract her, and the fresh air and rhythmic movement of walking may calm her enough to fall asleep.
viii) You can wrap the baby in warm clothing
- Wrapping your infant snugly in a blanket or cloth – can help a baby feel less out of control. You can try doing this during feedings if she has trouble settling down enough to eat, or wrap her up before her usual colicky period or before you put her down to sleep.
- Not only might swaddling help your colicky baby get to sleep, there’s a good chance it will help her stay asleep, too.
ix) Bathe your baby
- A warm bath in the middle of your baby’s colic time might distract and relax him. Your baby may enjoy the rhythmic pulsing of the warm water as well as the sound.
x) Give the baby something to suck
- Anything that helps your baby calm down is a lifesaver right now. For some babies, sucking is the ultimate soother. Consider offering her a pacifier or encourage your baby to suck on her finger by gently putting it in her mouth or breastfeed them.
xi) Use a warm water bottle
- Some babies enjoy the feeling of warm water against their belly. Fill a hot water bottle with lukewarm water and wrap it in a towel.
- (Don’t make the water too hot – what feels warm to you might be too hot for your baby.)
- Place it on your belly and let your baby lie on top of you.
