How to Treat Gas and Colic
Colic is defined by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as when an infant, who is otherwise well, cries for three hours per day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks or longer. No one is certain what causes colic, but it may be due to a baby's temperament and how the baby adjusts to the world, or an oversensitivity to gas, or a milk allergy. A baby usually outgrows colic by about 4 months of age.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Breast milk or formula
- Sling
- Infant swing
- Car or vacuum, hairdryer or washing machine
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1
Address your baby's basic needs when the baby is crying. Make sure that the baby is not tired, wet, dirty, hungry, hot, cold or over stimulated.
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2
Try changing formula, with your physician's approval, or altering the mother's diet if the baby is breastfed. Some babies may have a milk allergy, or other allergy, that can be addressed by a change in diet to improve symptoms of colic.
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3
Move around with your baby. Try rocking, gently patting and walking with your baby. Motion may soothe the baby and ease colic symptoms.
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4
Lay the baby on a flat, soft surface on his stomach and rub his back, per the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. A baby should never be left unsupervised on a soft surface.
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5
Carry your baby in a sling. The University of Michigan suggests carrying a baby more frequently to alleviate crying from colic.
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6
Try placing your baby in an infant swing. The repetitive slow rocking movement can help soothe a colicky baby.
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7
Provide white noise for your baby by riding in the car, or using a vacuum, hair dryer or washing machine at home.
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1
Tips & Warnings
White noise can also be replicated by making "shushing" or "whooshing" noises, per the University of Michigan.
A child who exhibits symptoms like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sluggishness, very intense crying and refusing food may have issues other than colic that need to be addressed be a medical professional.
