How to Treat Colic in Newborns
If you have a newborn with colic, it's an experience you won't likely soon forget. Colic is usually suspected when your newborn cries for three hours or more at least three days a week. While upsetting to the parent, colic is even more uncomfortable to the baby. According to askbaby.com, about one in five babies will suffer from colic. While there aren't any cures or prescription treatments for colic, there are a few things you can do to help your newborn feel more comfortable.
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Things You'll Need
- Soy-based formula
- Blankets
- Front sling
- Backpack
- Baby swing
- Over-the-counter colic drops or liquid
Instructions
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Eliminate certain gas-inducing foods from your diet, if you are breast-feeding. Consuming foods that contribute to gas can pass on to your newborn through your milk, and give her excess gas as well. Avoid cabbage, beans, garlic, broccoli, onions, sprouts, spicy foods, apricots and melon, suggests askbaby.com.
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Switch the type of formula you give your baby, if you are bottle-feeding. Many manufacturers make formulas especially for babies with gas issues, which may help resolve the colic. Additionally, ayurvediccure.com suggests giving colicky babies soy-based formulas to alleviate the symptoms.
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Burp your baby frequently if he seems to have a lot of gas. Bottle-fed babies tend to swallow a lot of air, which may contribute to the gas and colic. If your newborn seems to ingest a large amount of air, consider switching her bottle to one that is designed to eliminate air intake.
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Rub your baby's stomach and back to help with the colic symptoms, suggests askbaby.com. This soothing motion can often alleviate the pain due to colic. In addition, swaddling the baby in snug blankets, holding her in a front sling or backpack and keeping her in a baby swing may be comforting.
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Give your baby over-the-counter drops or liquid designed to help with colic. While there are no actual medications available for colic, these treatments may help relieve the symptoms.
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References
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- Photo Credit crying image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
