The first few months of parenthood are the hardest. The feeling of helplessness every time your baby cries is a dilemma that every parent goes through. Hunger, pain, discomfort, restlessness – a hundred different possible reasons run through every parent’s mind every time their baby cries. However, if your baby cries for hours at a time with no obvious reason, they may be experiencing colic.
Colic is a condition that causes pain in your baby’s gastrointestinal tract. Colic usually affects babies who are at least 2-3 weeks old and lasts until the 3rd or 4th month. The symptoms include irritability, abdominal pain, gassiness, and endless bouts of uncontrollable crying.
How to Help Soothe a Baby with Colic
If you think your baby is suffering from colic, you can try some of the tips below to help soothe your baby:
Review Your Diet if You’re Breastfeeding
If you think that your baby’s colic may be caused by something in your breast milk, you can try changing your diet. It has been found that traces of spicy food or cow’s milk in the mother’s diet cause the baby’s tummy problems after they ingest her breast milk. Talk to your doctor about what you can eliminate from your diet.
One way of preventing this is to eliminate dairy products like cow’s milk, cheeses, and yogurt from your diet. In order to do this, stop eating them for a few weeks. This will give your body ample time to cleanse out any traces of dairy in the milk that your breasts produce.
Talk to your doctor before making major dietary changes.
Adjust Your Baby’s Feeding Habits
If your baby is formula-fed and still experiences colic, consult your pediatrician to determine whether a different infant formula may be more suitable. Some babies may have sensitivities or allergies that require a hypoallergenic formula.
Another possibility is swallowed air during feeding, which may contribute to gas and discomfort. Burping your baby during and after feeding can help. If you’re bottle-feeding, using a nipple with an appropriate flow may also reduce the amount of air your baby swallows.
Try a Gentle Infant Massage
An infant massage can help your baby relax and calm down.
If gas seems to be contributing to their discomfort, place your baby tummy-down across your legs and gently rub their back. Another option is to lay your baby on their back and slowly move their legs in a bicycle motion. This gentle movement may help release trapped gas.
Comfort Your Baby
The discomfort caused by colic is the main reason why your baby keeps on crying. Comfort him by holding him close to you so he can feel your heartbeat. Sit down, relax, and take steady breaths while holding him and wait until your heartbeat stabilizes. The steady sound of your heartbeat will help calm him down.
Another way to help comfort your baby is through motion. Gently rock your baby in your arms using a steady rhythm to soothe him. You can also take him for a stroll, a ride, or a walk to help him relax. Soothing sounds can also help ease your baby’s discomfort – try humming or singing a lullaby to help your baby relax and fall asleep.
Comfort is the number one cure for colic. Since colic causes discomfort to your baby, learning what makes your baby comfortable is the number one solution to ease his pain. Don’t be scared or distressed every time your baby cries. It is through these rough moments that you grow as a parent. And it is through these moments that you understand what it takes to become a good parent.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
While colic usually goes away on its own as your baby grows, it’s important to contact your pediatrician if your baby’s crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting, poor feeding, difficulty breathing, or if you are concerned about their overall health. These symptoms may indicate a condition other than colic.
We hope this guide has answered your questions. If there’s anything else you’d like to know about our products or if you need assistance, feel free to contact our EQ support team.
Sources:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_colic-what-is-it_77.bc
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/colictreatments
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x25005619/how-can-i-soothe-my-colicky-baby#ixzz41uNiTzcz
