How to Calm a Colicky Baby

About one in five babies has colic - a set of symptoms that includes inconsolable screaming, clenched fists, increased bowel activity and gas. The cause is unknown.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Backpacks
• Baby Blankets
• Baby Cradles
• Baby Swings
• Soothing Music
• Baby Carriages

1. Rock your baby in your arms, a carriage, a swing or a cradle (but not until your baby is at least six weeks old). Experiment with a variety of rocking positions, since all babies are different.

2. Sing a lullaby to your baby.

3. Walk around with your baby in a sling or backpack.

4. Wrap your newborn snugly in a soft blanket, as some infants are soothed

5. by being swaddled.

6. Gently massage your baby's back, tummy and thighs.

7. Give your baby a warm bath if he likes it.

8. Place your baby across your lap, tummy down, and stroke his back.

9. Walk around to relieve pressure, placing your forearm under your baby's rib cage with the baby facing outward.

10. Soothe your baby with sound: Some babies enjoy rhythmic noises, such as music, a vacuum cleaner or a dishwasher. They may also find riding in a car very soothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consult your pediatrician about colic. A pediatrician can make a proper diagnosis, eliminating possible causes such as an intestinal problem or an allergy to formula. She may recommend a medication for gas relief or a different baby formula.
• Most babies outgrow colic by the end of their fourth month.
• Never rock or shake your baby vigorously.

[lursasmom]

on 8/4/2009 The doctors blamed colic for my son's cramping, runny poops, gas, you name it he had it. Cutting out dairy helped immensely (we used soy for a year & a half), the doctors didn't like it but they offered no alternative. At 2yrs we were able to get him tested for allergies which all came back negative. Further investigation & a stool sample later we discovered that he had an elevated level of a certain bacteria (normally found in the GI system). A $10 bottle of anti-biotics & 10 days later all was normal. Now why couldn't they have done that at 6 months old when the problem began??? I remember a quote I heard when I was pregnant with my second child. It was when the Sears Pediatricians were on Dr Phil. The most senior of the doctors said "Colic is a lazy doctors excuse. Your baby is in pain and there is a reason for it." Give what happened with my son I'm apt to believe him.

[tanya86]

on 7/29/2009 What helped me and my baby girl was Hyland's Homeopathic Colic tablets. They are the best thing ever. 100% all natural and no side effects. They dissolve in you baby's mouth in seconds. You can find them at Babies r us or Walgreens for about $5.

[alldade11]

on 6/28/2009 b4 u spend money on exspensive meds try born free air vent bottles and soothe both help my 6 wk BG and got rid of her colic in 1wk. dr brown is also good

[colicqueen]

on 5/3/2009 What worked for me is bouncing. I would cradle my baby and bounce on the side of the bed---this would help him calm down and fall aslepp--which I didn think he was getting enough of. http://colichqueen.blogspot.com/http://colichqueen.blogspot.com/

[AJacob]

on 1/24/2009 Moms who are feeding their babies can do some good for colic babies. Try and eat carrom seeds just 3-4 small seeds at a time. Your baby will stop getting the colic. At time degree of colic depends upon what the mom has been eating. Eating carrom seeds helps digestion and eases out gas. Your baby will smile with farts ;).
P.s. Mom should eat carrom seeds not the baby