If you’ve ever dealt with a colicky baby, you know it can be a difficult time. It’s hard to watch your baby cry and feel like there is nothing you can do about it. Let’s talk about why baby colic happens, what causes it and how to make your little one feel better.
Colic in Baby
Colic is a term used to describe a condition affecting babies and their digestive systems. The symptoms of this condition include irritability, poor feeding habits and excessive crying. In most cases, a colicky baby occurs in the first two months after birth and lasts until the baby is four to six months old. However, some babies have colic symptoms until they are six months old.
A colicky baby is often described as “fussy.” They cry for hours at a time, and the cause of their discomfort is not clear. A baby with colic may cry when placed on its back and can’t be calmed when put on its stomach. While you may feel helpless, there are some things you can do to help comfort your fussy baby.
Do All Babies Get Colic
It’s a question that every parent wants to know the answer to.
Well, the answer is “it depends.” You see, colic can be caused by many different things, including intolerance for a milk protein or an allergy to something in your home. But if your baby has colic, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she will always have it.
Colic baby getting a tummy massage
Symptoms of Baby Colic
How do you know if your baby has colic?
If your baby is crying inconsolably for more than three hours a day and is not sick, they could be experiencing colic. Colic can cause your baby’s tummy to feel uncomfortable or bloated, making them cry. It can also cause them to have gas pains that make them cry.
Here are some signs that indicate whether or not your baby has colic:
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Nonstop Crying: Your baby seems to cry inconsolably for hours, often in the late afternoon or evening, without an apparent reason.
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Clenched Fists and Flexed Legs: During episodes of colic, your little munchkin may show signs of discomfort by tightly clenching their fists or pulling their legs up to their tummy.
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Intense Facial Expressions: Look out for expressions of pain, like a scrunched-up face, furrowed brows, or a clenched jaw while your baby cries.
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Difficulty Sleeping: Colicky babies may struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, often waking up abruptly with signs of distress.
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Feeding Challenges: If your baby frequently fusses or shows reluctance to feed, it could be a sign of colic.
What Causes Colic in Babies
Colic is a term used to describe some symptoms babies experience. The most common symptom is crying—and it can be deafening!
And the good news is it’s normal for babies to cry. But if your baby’s crying isn’t just regular old crying but seems excessive and inconsolable, you might have colic.
The most common cause of colic is gas: your baby may be gassy or bloated and needs time to figure out how to burp or pass gas. If your baby has recently started eating solid foods, this might be the culprit too.
Another possible cause of colic is acid reflux (also known as GERD), which causes stomach acid to invade your baby’s oesophagus and irritate it. This can happen when your baby lies on their stomach while sleeping or burps excessively while eating. (If you think this may be happening to your baby, consider switching their sleep position.)
Finally, some babies have allergies that cause them to spit up frequently or have diarrhoea because of food sensitivity or intolerance. For example, babies with cow’s milk protein allergy also experience colic.
Image source: iStock
How Can I Soothe a Colic Baby
Well, there’s no way around it: colic sucks.
And it can be hard to know how to make a colic baby feel better, especially when you’ve got your own emotions to deal with. But we’re here for you! Here are some tips on soothing a colicky baby:
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Try Moving to Another Location
Some babies only cry when in one particular room or spot, so if you keep moving around the house, it might help your baby get some relief.
You can also try walking with your baby in a stroller or car seat, which can be soothing for both of you.
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Change Your Baby’s Diaper
As you’re probably aware, your baby’s diaper is an extremely important part of their day-to-day health—it holds all the waste from their bodies, which means it needs to be changed regularly to keep them healthy.
But did you know that changing your baby’s diaper can help soothe colic symptoms? It may seem counterintuitive, but changing your baby’s diaper is one of the best ways to get them more comfortable when they’re suffering from colic.
How does this work? Well, there are several reasons why changing your baby’s diaper might help them feel better:
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- It changes their position
- Allowing them to release gas
- Ridding them of any build-up of moisture on their skin
Music is a great way to soothe babies down, and it works especially well for colic babies. It’s been shown that playing soft music can decrease the amount of time a colic baby cries by as much as 50 per cent.
If you’re unsure where to start, try something with a slow tempo, like classical music or jazz. You can also try playing some other sounds like rain or ocean waves at a low volume—it could be just what they need!
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Wear Your Baby in a Sling or Carrier
Wearing your baby has many health benefits for both of you. It can help soothe him because he can see and hear what’s happening around him, but he’s also still close to you and can keep his head on your shoulder.
It can also benefit you by reducing stress and fatigue while helping you stay active during the day. Plus, it’ll give you an excuse to walk around your hands-free!
Make sure your baby is safe
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Move Around with Your Baby
It’s pretty much impossible to get a baby to stop crying. But if you move around with your baby, you can help them calm down.
Here’s how:
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- Hold your baby gently in your arms and walk around the house or outside. Make sure to avoid stairs or other dangerous surfaces! If it’s cold outside, bundle up your baby first.
- When inside, go from room to room—just ensure there are no sharp corners or other hazards for the baby.
- If the weather is nice, try walking around outside with your baby in a stroller or carrier.
They’ll probably tell you that gentle massage is a great way to relieve some of the pain and discomfort in your baby’s tummy. And since babies love being held close and cuddled, massaging them can be a great bonding experience for both of you.
Gentle massage is helpful for a colic baby because it helps soothe their digestive system. The rhythmic motion helps stimulate blood flow and relaxes muscles in the belly and abdomen.
Baby Colic Massage
You can start gentle massage when your baby is about two weeks old, but you should talk with your doctor to ensure it’s okay for your baby. The best time to try this technique is after feeding or burping your baby before putting him down for a nap or bedtime. It’s important not to overdo it—you don’t want to tire out your little one!
If you don’t have any idea how to massage your baby, don’t worry! We’ve got some easy tips for getting started:
- Start with a soft touch, using just your fingertips or palms
- Gently stroke their back, starting at the base of their neck and moving down toward their tailbone
- Move in small circles around the spine while continuing to stroke down toward the tailbone
- Try not to pull too hard on their skin—it should feel like a gentle scratch rather than a painful squeeze
How Can We Help a Colic Baby Go to Sleep
Colic is characterised by periods of crying that usually occur in the late afternoon or evening and last for hours. It can be extremely frustrating for parents, but there are some things you can do to help your little one fall asleep without having to worry about another bout of colic coming on.
- Try swaddling your baby during her sleep time. Swaddling can help soothe babies who have colic.
- Make sure you use the right swaddle blanket for your baby’s age. If you’re using an old-fashioned style blanket with no velcro straps or zippers, it may not be effective at keeping your little one snug and cosy while she sleeps; however, if you use a modern-day swaddle blanket with velcro fasteners, it will ensure that she doesn’t get out of her sleeping wrap too easily!
- Consider placing an object near your baby’s crib that smells like home—like Mommy’s perfume or Daddy’s aftershave—so when she wakes up in the middle of the night and feels alone and scared, she’ll have something familiar nearby that reminds her that everything is okay!
When to Seek Help for Baby Colic
Yes, colic is common in babies, but how would you know if your baby’s wailing warrants a trip to the doctor? Here are some signs to watch out for to determine if seeking medical advice is necessary:
- Intensified crying: If your baby’s crying becomes more intense and inconsolable, it may be a good idea to seek medical guidance.
- Trouble gaining weight: If your baby is having difficulty gaining weight despite feeding regularly, consulting a healthcare professional is recommended.
- Consistent signs of distress: If your baby consistently shows signs of distress, such as arching their back, clenching their fists, or flailing their arms and legs, it’s advisable to seek professional help.
- Fever: If your baby develops a fever, it’s important to reach out to your doctor as it may indicate an infection or an underlying issue.
- Unusual symptoms: If you notice any other unusual symptoms in your baby, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any potential medical conditions.
Remember, when it comes to your baby’s well-being, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional help if you have concerns. Your paediatrician can provide guidance, assess your baby’s condition, and address any underlying medical factors.
Image Source: iStock
Self-Care for Parents With Colicky Babies
When your baby is experiencing colic, it’s essential to take care of yourself as well. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup! Here are some self-care tips to help you navigate this challenging phase:
- Reach out for support: Lean on your partner, family, or friends for emotional support and assistance with childcare whenever possible.
- Take breaks: Give yourself regular breaks from the relentless crying. Even a short walk outside or a few moments of deep breathing can help recharge your energy.
- Practice stress management: Engage in activities that help you relax and reduce stress, such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to soothing music.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat well-balanced meals, stay hydrated, and try to get enough sleep to ensure you’re physically and mentally prepared to handle the challenges.
- Seek professional help if needed: If you find yourself overwhelmed or struggling to cope, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional or therapist for additional support and guidance.
Remember, taking care of yourself is crucial during this demanding time, and it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
