If your baby is crying more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks, then they may be suffering from colic. Newborn colic is one of the most common issues that parents face, and unfortunately, there is no one definitive answer as to what causes it or how to cure it.
However, there are a few things that you can do to help make your baby more comfortable despite colic and hopefully ease the crying.
Feed them.
It can be difficult to determine why a baby is crying, but sometimes a colicky baby is just hungry. If you think this might be the case, try offering them a bottle or putting on your best pumping bra. If they are older, you can also try giving them some solid food. If they are not interested in eating, try burping them or changing their diaper. If they are still crying, you can try holding them or taking them for a walk.
Rock your baby.
One of the easiest ways to soothe a crying baby is to hold them close and gently rock them back and forth. This is a tried and true method that always seems to work. If you find that rocking your baby doesn’t calm them down, you can also try singing to them or whispering softly in their ear. Sometimes, all a baby needs is to know that they are safe and loved.
Get them moving.
Babies who are colicky can benefit from a little bit of movement. Try taking a walk with them in your arms or put them in a swing. This can help them calm down and may help them to sleep better.
Try a pacifier.
If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably given your baby a pacifier to calm them down at some point. It’s a great way to soothe them and can help them to stop crying. But did you know that you can also offer a pacifier to your baby when they start to cry? It might help to calm them down and stop their tears.
Give them a bath.
If your baby is colicky, a warm bath might help to relax them. Fill the bathtub with warm (not hot) water and add a few drops of lavender oil. Place your baby in the bathtub and gently massage their back and tummy. The warm water and the lavender oil should help to soothe your baby and calm them down.
Try a white noise machine.
Soothing noises are known to have a calming effect on both adults and children. This is why many machines come with a variety of sounds that can be used to soothe a fussy baby. The sound of the ocean, for example, can be incredibly calming for some babies. The sound of rain can also be helpful, as can the sound of a gentle stream. These machines create a calming noise that can help to soothe a baby and help them to fall asleep.
Burp them.
A lot of times, a colicky baby is just gassy. Burping them might help to get rid of the gas and stop the crying. There are a few different ways to burp a baby. The most common way is to hold them against your chest and rub their back. You can also try sitting them up and patting their back. If those methods don’t work, you can also try putting them over your shoulder and patting their back. No matter which method you use, be sure to keep an eye on the baby’s color and breathing. If they start to turn blue or have trouble breathing, stop and get help.
Seek help.
If you’ve tried all of these things and your baby is still crying, it might be time to seek help from a professional. There could be an underlying cause for the colic that requires treatment.
Colic can be really frustrating and exhausting for both parents and babies, but hopefully, with a little bit of patience and experimentation, you will be able to find something that helps to ease your little one’s discomfort.
