Colicky Baby
Your baby is often a colicky baby between three and twelve weeks of age when she cries continuously for a couple of hours or more every day during a specific time period. This is more common during late evenings and occurs at least thrice a week. This kind of long bouts of crying is called colic. Colic usually disappears when the baby is about three to four months old.
What a Colicky Baby Looks Like?
A colicky baby alternates between contracting her muscles to form a ball like structure and suddenly stretching and stiffening them. Also, the long hours of cry make her face appear reddish. Colicky babies sometimes have gas. However, it is not known if the gas causes the colic or if the gas is formed because of the extended crying.
Factors Triggering a Colicky Baby
Even though cow's milk and soy protein are believed to trigger colic, the actual cause for colic is not known so far. Colic is common among healthy babies. Although, colic is more often found among bottle feeding babies, some breast feeding babies also experience it. If your breastfeeding baby has colic, you can make things easier for her with your diet changes. You can try eliminating caffeine or avoiding dairy products in your diet. Tobacco in your baby's surroundings may also enhance possibilities of colic.
Facts about Colicky Baby
Some points to be noted about colicky babies are:
- They have a very good sucking reflex and a healthy appetite. They also grow well. Keep your doctor informed if your baby has a poor appetite or does not exhibit a good sucking reflex.
- These babies love being pampered with hugs and cuddles. Contact your doctor if you find it difficult to console your little one.
- Although they spit up often, these babies usually do not vomit and suffer from weight loss. If your baby has frequent bouts of vomiting and loses weight rapidly, show her to the doctor immediately.
- These babies pass normal stools. If your little one's stools contain traces of blood or she has diarrhoea, take her to your doctor.
Calming a Colicky Baby
It is quite distressing to see your baby's long bouts of crying. You can try the following tips to calm your colicky baby:
- Try carrying the colicky baby in your arms and walk about or consider using a rocking chair. Another good choice is rocking lightly with her on a swing. The movements may soothe your baby.
- Burping baby more frequently during meals. The gas formation gets reduced.
- Strap your baby on to her infant car seat and take her for a drive. She may enjoy the cool breeze.
- Try playing some soft music. This may catch the attention of the colicky baby and she will respond to the sound.
- Give the colicky baby a warm bath that makes her feel warm and cosy.
- Spend extra time with your baby by hugging and talking to her a lot.
- Rub your colicky baby lightly on her stomach.
- Swaddle your baby with a soft and comfortable blanket.
Video on Calming a Colicky Baby
Home Remedies for Colicky Baby
There are many home remedies advocated for colic like rubbing asafoetida (hing) around the navel, giving digestive "medicines", giving nutmeg, gripe water, vasambu etc. but do note that none of these have been proven to help and many can be dangerous as well.
If you are frustrated with your baby's colic and have run out of all ways of calming her, request your partner or someone else to look after her for a while. Take this chance to give yourself a break. You will feel more relaxed and ready to attend to your baby once again.
