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Top Tips For Dealing With Colic

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Although it is distressing, the most important thing to remember if your baby is affected by colic is to remain calm.

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Introduce a soothing routine around the time of the day when your baby’s colic is usually at its worst, this is typically in the evenings.

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Keep a log of the times when your baby’s colic is at its worst – you may be able to find a pattern associated with any triggers, allowing you to understand better how to ease the symptoms.

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Despite the characteristic inconsolable nature of the crying, it may be possible to reduce colic symptoms by trying different soothing techniques, as some babies may respond better to some techniques than others. You may find some of the following helpful:

  • White noise
  • Holding the baby during crying episodes
  • Wearing baby in a sling
  • A warm bath/ Baby massage
  • Gentle motion, such as rocking, pushing them in a pram or going for a drive
  • Background noise, such as the vacuum cleaner, hairdryer or washing machine

Colic treatment

Colic may be triggered by certain things. There are ways you can avoid these triggers.
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BATHING

A warm bath with a little lavender can be a great way to relieve colic. Try to keep it at around 38°C.

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MASSAGING

Warm your hands and rub a little baby oil clockwise onto your baby’s tummy to soothe their discomfort.

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MOVING

Keep moving to help distract them and relieve colic. Go for a walk, take a drive or just rock them back and forth.

Feeding your baby

If you’re breastfeeding your baby:
  • Keep track of what you eat and drink. Everything you consume gets passed to your baby and can affect them.
  • Avoid caffeine and chocolate, which act as stimulants.
  • Avoid dairy products and nuts, in case your baby is allergic to them.
  • Ask your doctor if any medicines you’re taking could be causing the problem.
If you’re feeding your baby formula:
  • Try a different brand. Babies can be sensitive to certain proteins in formula.
  • Try feeding your baby smaller meals but more often.
  • Avoid feeding your baby too much or too quickly. One bottle feeding should last about 20 minutes. If your baby eats faster, try using a nipple with a smaller hole. This will slow down their feeding.
  • Try warming the formula to body temperature.
  • Try feeding your baby in an upright position

Holding your baby

Babies who have colic can sometimes respond well to different ways of being held or rocked.
  • Hold your baby across your arm or lap while you massage their back.
  • Hold your baby upright, if they have gas.
  • Hold your baby in the evening.
  • Hold your baby while walking.
  • Rock your baby in your arms or by using an infant swing.

Comforting your baby

Try these movements and stimuli to sooth your baby.
  • Provide extra skin-to-skin contact.
  • Swaddle your baby. This mean wrapping them in a blanket.
  • Sing to your baby.
  • Give your baby a warm (not hot) bath or put a warm towel on their stomach.
  • Massage your baby. Ask your doctor for guidelines.
  • Provide white noise, such as a fan, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, hair dryer, or dishwasher.
  • Give your baby a pacifier.
  • Go for a walk with your baby in their stroller. Or go for a drive with your baby in their car seat.
  • Give your baby simethicone drops. This over-the-counter medicine can help relieve gas.

Living with colic

Colic doesn’t cause any short-term or long-term problems for your baby. But colic can be difficult for parents. It can be hard to care for babies who don’t stop crying. You may feel overwhelmed or frustrated. If you’re feeling this way, it’s important to ask for help. Ask someone close to you to help watch your baby. Never shake or harm your child. Shaking a baby can cause serious brain damage and even death. If you feel like you might shake or harm your baby, get help right away.

The following are things to keep in mind about colic.
  • You didn’t cause the colic, so try not to feel guilty.
  • Colic will go away. Most babies outgrow it by the time they are 3 to 4 months old.
  • Just because your baby has colic doesn’t mean they’re unhealthy.
  • There are many ways to soothe your baby.
  • Giving your baby extra attention, such as holding them for extended periods, won’t spoil them.
  • Contact your baby’s doctor if:
  • Your baby’s crying is mixed with a fever, vomiting, loose or bloody stools, or decreased movement.
  • Your baby’s crying or behavior changes all of a sudden.