Debbie Did you know al, ost 25% of babies have colic? Colic can be overwhelming and exhausting for both parents and babies, especially when it seems like nothing is helping.
What even causes colic in babies, and what can you do to soothe your baby so you can finally get some much-needed sleep?
Colic is when an otherwise healthy baby cries for an extended period of time for no clear reason. It’s very common and normal during early life, and usually goes away on its own, but most new parents aren’t aware of the condition.
Unfortunately, there’s no known cause, but understanding babies with colic and potential soothing aids can help both you and the baby. Keep reading for all the colic solutions you need to know.
Symptoms of Colic
Colic can be diagnosed by a doctor when a baby cries for more than 3 hours per day, 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks.
You may notice a lot of burping and gassiness — this is caused by swallowing excess air while crying. They may have a flushed face and a tight belly, and your baby may curl their legs up towards their belly or clench their fists when they cry.
Adjust your Feeding Routine
For babies with colic, use a curved bottle if your baby is bottle-fed. This means they can be kept in an upright position. While feeding, burp your baby often to reduce air swallowed during feeding, which may make the colic worse.
Avoid overfeeding your baby, and monitor your own diet as well if you’re nursing.
Eliminating milk products from your diet may help, as well as caffeine, and spicy foods. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and maintain a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains.
Soothing Methods for Colic
Pressure against your baby’s belly may soothe and comfort them. Try resting them with your hand or arm under their belly, or lay them tummy down across your knees and rub their back.
Being in the womb is noisy, so music and white noise can feel safe and comforting. If your baby is responsive to your voice, you could also try singing, humming, and talking to them more as you go about your day.
Close contact through babywearing can be helpful in 2 ways — it provides the baby with physical closeness to the parent, and it’s also a relaxation aid through consistent movement and motion.
See a Chiropractor
Seeing a chiropractor is a safe and gentle method for reducing the symptoms of baby colic.
Correcting any spinal dysfunction reduces any issues with your baby’s nervous system. Misalignments can affect digestion and the nerves in the stomach, leading to pain and discomfort.
As well as this, chiropractors can also provide nutrition and supplement advice for you and your baby. Find out more at unifychiropractic.com.
Babies with Colic: What to Do Next
Knowing that having a colicky baby is normal is the first step to overcoming the condition. There are support groups for babies with colic that can be found on social media, and there may also be some local to you so that you don’t have to feel alone.
If your baby is showing other signs of illness, always check their symptoms with a doctor.
For more information about the health of your baby, visit our blog.
