How to Soothe a Colicky Infant
Those newborn days can be tough enough, but throw colic into the mix and you have a recipe for extreme sleep deprivation and frustration. There are several theories about the cause of colic (an immature digestive system or an immature nervous system are just two), but there is no real consensus. The only real cure for colic is time. Most babies grow out of colic by 12 weeks of age. While it’s comforting to know that colic in newborns isn’t necessarily a predetermination future temperament—many colicky newborns grow into mellow, easygoing babies—those early weeks can be trying on new, and even experienced, parents.
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Things You'll Need
- Receiving blanket
- White-noise machine, fan or radio
- Pacifier
- Swing
- Sling or baby carrier
Instructions
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Give swaddling a shot. The last few weeks spent in the womb are close quarters for a fetus, and many newborns find the sudden abundance of space to be unnerving. To swaddle a baby, open a blanket on the floor and fold down one of the corners. Place the baby on that folded corner, with his head sticking out of the folded portion. Lower the baby’s arms and wrap the left corner of the blanket around him tightly. Bring up the bottom corner so it meets the baby’s stomach, and then fold the right corner tightly around the baby, tucking any remaining blanket into a crease. The key word here is tight—you want to mimic the womb environment the baby is accustomed to. You can swaddle a baby with almost any receiving blanket, and there also blankets that are designed strictly as swaddling blankets.
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Consider a pacifier. Many colicky babies are soothed by sucking on something, and a pacifier can often do wonders—how do you think it got its name, after all? Breastfeeding moms may find that additional nursing will have the same desired effect.
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Invest in a swing. There’s a reason cradles have been made to rock—the rocking helps put babies to sleep. Rocking can simulate the motion the baby was used to feeling in the womb when Mom used to walk around. Swings and rocking cradles or bassinets come in all sizes and price ranges. If you don’t have or want a swing, use your arms.
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Wear your baby. There are going to be times when you just need to get something done that requires both hands, whether it’s emptying that diaper pail or fixing something to eat. Try using a sling or a baby carrier—as with the swing, the constant motion may help put the baby to sleep.
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White noise is the best noise. The womb wasn’t a very quiet place—there were the sounds of Mom’s heartbeat and the whooshing of blood, and outside noises could be heard as well. Although some babies need absolute silence to sleep, many colicky infants respond well to white noise. Try placing the bassinet near a clothes washer or dryer, or run the dishwasher if the baby’s room is close to the kitchen. Place a small fan in the baby's room (just don’t point it directly at the baby), or turn a radio to a frequency that’s between stations and only picks up static. If none of these is practical, you can even purchase a CD that has various types of white noise from which to choose.
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Take the baby outside. Sometimes fresh air and the change of scenery will startle a baby out of a crying jag. Now would be a good time to break out that new stroller you received at your baby shower. Naturally, be sure to dress the baby appropriately for the current season.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find that your baby is kicking out of the swaddle no matter how tightly you wrap it, you may want to skip this step. It is not advisable for newborns to sleep with loose blankets in their cribs.
Enlist in help. Those early, sleep-deprived days aren’t easy on anyone, and colic doesn’t make things any easier. If you have family or friends who are offering to help, take them up on it, even if it just means an hour or two for you to catch your breath or catch a nap. If you have no family nearby, consider hiring someone.
Before you try any of these things, be sure that you have ruled out any type of illness or injury to your baby. Babies cry for all sorts of reasons, but if you think your baby may be in pain, trust your instincts and call the doctor.
Although taking a baby for a ride in a car can often stop the crying (it’s probably the frequently given advice to parents), be careful of doing this when you are a too tired. You don’t want to get behind the wheel if you’re too sleep-deprived or frazzled to think straight. Trying taking the baby for a walk in a stroller instead.
