Your baby is healthy, well-fed, and the diapers are freshly changed, in addition to being well-rested and getting plenty of cuddles and playtime. So why are they still crying? It is possible that your baby has colic. Essentially, it is a term that encompasses excessive crying in otherwise healthy babies. It typically starts around the 2-week mark and goes away on its own at the 4-month mark. It is frustrating for the mother or caregiver, as there is no inherent cause for colic. You know it is colic when the baby resists any form of soothing, and cries for at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, and has been doing so for the past 3 weeks. These fussy crying periods can go on till late at night, and is frustrating for everyone involved. A little knowledge and a lot of patience will help you deal with colic until it gradually subsides.
Colic might not be a disease, but it is tough for mothers and their children to go through. Excessive crying is distressing, especially when it is inconsolable. Sometimes, it takes a little common sense to soothe a colicky baby whereas other times, you have to try out some out of the box methods to get them to stop crying. Luckily, there are several different ways to calm down a colicky baby. Here are a few tips:
One of the first things to consider is feeding your baby. Don’t worry about following your feeding schedule to the tee. It is highly possible that your baby needs to be fed again. Babies often engage in a behavior called ‘cluster feeding’. It means that they have to feed multiple times within the span of a few hours. It is essentially one big batch of several small feedings. Don’t watch the clock to know when to feed next. Instead, look for hunger cues in your baby (such as crying or sucking fingers) and feed often.
When it comes to a colicky baby, sometimes all it takes is a nice, warm bath. Just like us, the stress-relieving, therapeutic effects of a warm bath can be enjoyed by a baby too. You may choose to bathe with the baby as skin-to-skin contact is always a plus point. Alternatively, if your baby is not fond of bath time, you can simply give the baby a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel that can be kept against their belly. This provides them the comfort of warmth without the hassle of getting wet.
Music has the ability to calm down the nervous system by decreasing the heart and respiratory rate. Put on some soothing music for the baby to relax to. If that doesn’t work out, you can try playing different genres of music and see which tracks your baby responds to positively. Some babies might respond well to rock or heavy metal whereas others chill out to trance or reggae. Try playing some pop hits and see if your baby likes the catchy tunes as much as you do!
Wrap the baby in a blanket and rock gently back and forth as you shush them. This emulated the warmth and comfort that they had in the mother’s womb. Couple this with gently patting their back or head in the pattern of a heartbeat and this will emulate the conditions in the womb. The comfort derived from this might soothe a baby into not crying. Some babies like their arms out of the blanket so that they can self-soothe by sucking their fingers, or because they simply enjoy their freedom.
A colicky baby may often soothe themselves by sucking their fingers or hands as the sucking reflex provides them with comfort. If they aren’t used to that, you can offer them your finger (make sure it’s clean) to suck on. You can easily pop a pacifier in their mouth so their most natural oral reflex can provide them with the much-needed relief when they’re crying. However, do ensure that breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier to your baby.
When your colicky baby is crying, rock them back and forth while making shushing sounds. The rocking motion is said to comfort the baby as a calming response is triggered and their heart rate slows down while the muscles relax. Meanwhile, the shushing sounds create a meaningful distraction that the baby can focus on instead of crying. Couple this with constant, reassuring pats on the back or the head, and the colicky baby should be soothed enough to stop crying.
Colicky babies respond well to meaningless sound. This can come in the form of anything, like a ceiling fan, a washing machine, running water, or even a vacuum cleaner. Basically, any sufficiently noisy distractions that babies might instead focus on, are surely going to get the job done. The reason why white noise is comforting is because it emulates the sound that blood made when passing through the placenta, in the mother’s womb.
Probiotic drops (especially ones that contain L reuteri) can soothe a colicky baby as they help ease tummy troubles. It is said that probiotic bacteria grow naturally in the digestive tract, and a supplement can ease the burdens of the still-developing gut and digestive system. Research is limited in this field but do talk to a pediatrician to see if this is an option that can be considered. Probiotics might just be the solution to a colicky baby.
Colic is unbearable for both the baby who is suffering from it, and the mother who is trying to soothe the baby. Perhaps you could try distracting the baby from their discomfort. You can try rattling their favorite toys, make animated expressions, or simply talk to them. Make silly noises, dance with them, or tickle them so they start laughing instead. Or else you can face the baby towards you while you talk to them and go about your tasks. Babies love watching you do things – even if it’s as mundane as folding clothes or doing the dishes.
Colicky babies can find the comfort they need in a nice, relaxing body massage. This mimics the skin-to-skin contact that is essential to a baby’s emotional state at all times. A simple massage can stabilize breathing, improve heart rate, and enhance the parent-child bond. Experiment with some baby oils and make sure you are gentle – as a firm touch is often ticklish. Here are some massaging techniques that can be used. Stroke the chest from the center outward. Make small circles on the stomach and around the belly button. Unfurl the fists and rub the palms and fingers. Stroke each limb while moving from core to extremity.
While the actual cause of Colic is one of the great mysteries of life, there are some possibilities. If you smoked during, or after your pregnancy, your baby may be at increased risk of colic. Some babies are more sensitive to sights, sounds, and sensations, and they just can’t take it anymore by the time evening comes around. It might also be caused by tummy problems such as a gassy tummy, overfeeding, or a weak digestive system.
When it comes to colic, there are some things you should steer clear of. Don’t give your baby infant cereal or any solid foods. They are not ready to digest solid food, and this will make matters worse. Avoid herbal teas or supplements. These are unsafe as strength, dosage and quality of herbs cannot be guaranteed.
Just remember, don’t take it personally. It is not your fault that your baby is crying endlessly. You are doing the best you can, given the circumstances. Have a partner, friend, or relative take over baby-care so you can get some much-needed time to yourself. By taking care of yourself, you are also taking care of the baby, who deserves the care and attention of a well-rested mother.
Colic is often referred to as ‘Six O’ Clock Colic’ because the distress primarily starts around evening. It typically starts around the two-week mark and goes on until around the four-month mark. After the four-month mark, babies become adept at self-soothing, and will often stop crying incessantly. Do note that premature babies get colic earlier than that, and more intensely.
It is not a bad idea to visit the doctor if your baby is crying incessantly. Your doctor can rule out any potentially harmful problems such as urinary infections or intestinal problems, as these could be the reason for non-stop crying. The doctor will also be able to check if the baby is growing normally and feeding fine.
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