How to Manage Your Baby’s Colic?

Colic occurs when an otherwise healthy child cries or fusses frequently for no obvious reason. It’s defined as baby crying for more than 3 hours a day at least 3 days per week for more than 3 weeks. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to relieve your baby’s crying. So, Managing colic can add stress to already tired or stressed new parents.

Colic can start a few weeks after baby’s birth. It’s generally the worst between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Babies usually grow out of colic by the time they are 3 to 4 months old. Colic is a challenging and distressing condition that many parents face when caring for their newborns. It’s characterized by prolonged periods of excessive crying and fussiness. While it can be tough to manage, there are strategies you can employ to help soothe your baby and navigate this difficult period. Here’s a guide on how to manage your baby’s colic.

What is the main cause of colic?

Colic may be due to digestion problems or a sensitivity to something in the baby’s formula or that a nursing mom is eating. Or it might be from a baby trying to get used to the sights and sounds of being out in the world. Some colicky babies also have gas because they swallow so much air while crying.

10 tips for relieving colic symptoms:

There are several things that might be worth trying even though you may just have to wait it out. The first step is to consult your pediatrician to make sure that the crying is not caused by a medical condition that needs to be treated. Consult your doctor about which of the following would be most helpful.

1. Consult Your Pediatrician: If you suspect your baby has colic, it’s important to first consult your pediatrician. They can rule out any underlying health issues and offer guidance specific to your baby’s needs.
2. Create a Calm Environment: Ensure that the environment is quiet and peaceful. Dim the lights, reduce noise, and keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Sometimes, colic can be exacerbated by overstimulation.
3. Comforting Techniques:
   • Swaddle Your Baby: Wrapping your baby snugly in a swaddle can help them feel secure and calm.
   • Gentle Rocking: Rock your baby in your arms or use a baby swing to provide a soothing motion.
   • White Noise: Gentle, consistent sounds like a fan, nature sounds, or a white noise machine can help drown out other noises and provide comfort.
   • Hold and Cuddle: Sometimes, babies just need to be held. Skin-to-skin contact can be especially reassuring.
   • Pacifier: Offering a pacifier can sometimes provide comfort and distraction.
4. Feeding Strategies:
   • Burp Your Baby: Ensure your baby is burped properly during and after feeding to prevent gas buildup.
   • Proper Feeding Position: Keep your baby in an upright position while feeding to minimize the intake of air.
5. Dietary Considerations (for breastfeeding mothers): If you’re breastfeeding, consider your diet. Certain foods like caffeine or dairy might affect your baby. Try eliminating or reducing these from your diet and monitor if it helps.
6. Distract and Soothe: Sometimes, babies cry because they’re bored. Try different activities like gentle play or a short walk in a stroller to distract them.
7. Stay Calm: Colic can be incredibly frustrating and distressing for parents. Remember that it’s not your fault, and you’re doing your best. Take breaks if needed and ask for help from friends or family.
8. Support Network: Lean on your support system, whether it’s your partner, friends, or family. They can offer you a break when you need it and emotional support.
9. Monitor Your Baby: While crying is normal, if your baby’s crying is unusually intense, lasts for extended periods, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult your pediatrician.
10. Time: Colic typically peaks around 6 weeks and starts to improve around the third or fourth month. As frustrating as it may be, remind yourself that this phase is temporary.

Also, If you’re nursing, you can try to eliminate milk products, caffeine, onions, cabbage, and any other potentially irritating foods from your own diet. This is good to discuss with your pediatrician first. Try eliminating only one thing at a time, and expect it to take about two weeks before you see any changes.

If you’re feeding formula to your baby, you will talk with your pediatrician about a protein hydrolysate formula. So that Less than 5% of colicky crying is caused by food sensitivity, but in rare cases, a change may help within a few days.

Do not overfeed your baby, which could make them uncomfortable. In general, try to wait at least two to two-and-a-half hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next.

Walk your baby in a baby carrier to soothe them. The motion and body contact will reassure them, even if their discomfort persists.

Colic treatment

Colic may be triggered by certain things. There are ways you can avoid these triggers. There are also things you can try to help soothe your baby and reduce their crying.

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.

What is the best position for a colic baby to sleep?

Best Sleeping Positions for Colicky Baby. If your baby has colic and cries intensely when your baby should be sleeping, it may be tempting to let your little one sleep whichever way makes them most comfortable. However, safety is a priority, and it’s recommended that babies always be placed on their backs to sleep until they are one year old.

Conclusion

Managing a colicky baby can be a trying experience, but remember that this phase is typically temporary. Be patient with your little one and with yourself. While the above strategies can help alleviate colic symptoms, it’s important to remember that every baby is unique. If you find that nothing seems to work or if you have concerns about your baby’s health, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance. Your love and care are the most important comforts for your baby during this challenging time.