What can I do to help my colicky baby?
Doctors define colic as 3 or more hours a day of continued crying, 3 days a week, 3 days in a row. There is no single treatment that always gives relief to infants with colic but there are a few trips you can try:
- Make sure your baby is not hungry. Ensure that your baby is eating well and gaining adequate weight.
- Try burping your baby more often during feedings. Make sure they are not swalloing air from the bottle.
- Place your baby across your lap on his or her belly and rub your baby’s back.
- Put your baby in an infant seat in the back of the car and go for a ride. The vibration and movement of the car often calm a baby. You can also try exposing them to a humming household appliance or white noise.
- Massage your baby gently.
- Take your baby for a soothing walk outside.
- You may try the homeopathic preparation (chamomile) which is usually used as a colic remedy.
- Your baby may have a digestive or allergic reaction to the formula you are using. Consult with your pediatrician.
- If you are breastfeeding, try changing your diet to test this. Eliminate spicy foods, high-fibre grains, beans, broccoli, cabbage and caffeine.