Your baby won’t stop crying? Here’s how to relieve colic in babies

What is colic?

You seem to have a colicky baby on your hands if you haven’t slept for days because your baby is particularly fussy and crying inconsolably, especially at night. He stretches and arches his back as if his stomach hurts, and you’ve tried to console him to no avail. You are at your wit’s end; you are beginning to get worried, and maybe upset or even frustrated.

These feelings are all normal; but whatever the case may be, NEVER SHAKE A BABY, as this can cause brain damage or even lead to death. When you are overwhelmed or the crying gets to you, take a break, set your baby down, and walk away to revive your mind, or have someone else hold your baby for a while.

Colic is a term which describes periods of persistent crying and discomfort in a baby that is otherwise healthy. Your baby seems healthy and is feeding well; but all of a sudden, he goes into a bout of inconsolable cry especially in the in the evening – early morning hours. This persistent cry usually lasts about 3 hours or more and a day, and happens at least 3 times a week.

Colic typically begins within the first 3 weeks of life, peaks at about 6 weeks, and would go away on its own by 3 months or 6 months at the latest. About 1 in 5 babies develop colic, and it can happen in both breastfed and formula-fed babies.

Signs and symptoms of colic

• Your baby is crying inconsolably for more than 3 hours, nothing you do seems to console him, and this happens at least 3 times a week.
• The crying bouts are especially worse in the evening to early morning hours.
• Your baby’s stomach seems bloated and hard, and he is burping and passing gas.
• Your baby is clenching his fists, arching his back, extending and pulling up his legs to his stomach.

What causes colic in babies?

There really are no defined explanations  for what causes colic in babies but there are some possible theories:

• Indigestion and gas problems as his digestive system is still maturing,
• Your baby might be swallowing air while feeding. For breastfed babies, it can be due to poor latching while breastfeeding; and for bottle-fed babies, it can be that the hole in the teat of his feeding bottle is too small, and he ends up sucking in air.
• Studies suggest that a protein-rich maternal diet can cause colic.
• Sensitivity to food in the mother’s diet.
• Sensitivity to milk protein in formula.

How can I relieve colic in my baby?

Colic would usually get better on its own by 3 months; but there are some tips that may be helpful to relieve it or ease off the symptoms. They are not guaranteed to work for all babies and at all times; but they are worth a try to see which works for you:

1. Swaddling and cuddling your baby during the crying episode might help him feel more safe and secure.
2. Infant massage for colic: If his cord has healed, gently massage his tummy in a clockwise direction going round the belly button. This motion follows the natural direction of the large intestine and is particularly helpful in relieving excess gas, colic and constipation.
   In addition to this, lay your baby on his back and raise his legs above his chest, then move them around as if you were pedaling a bicycle.
3. Rocking motion: Babies love rocking motion; so rock him in a rocking chair, or take him for a walk in his buggy, or put him in his swing, or take him on a car ride. It may help to resettle your baby. Some parents swear by this method.
4. White noise: White noise mimics the kind of sounds your baby was used to in the womb. The humming of a vacuum cleaner, a fan or a dryer, or even shushing close to his ear may help to soothe a crying baby. Some moms have even recorded themselves making the”shhh” sound, which they play for their babies when they are upset.
5. Breastfeeding moms should ensure a good latch to prevent baby from swallowing air. Also let baby empty one breast before moving him to the other breast.
6. Since colic can be due to sensitivity to certain foods, breastfeeding moms are advised to eliminate the usual suspects such as dairy products, caffeine, cabbage,spicy food, beans, alcohol. Formula-feeding moms can switch to a hypoallergenic type of formula recommended by their pediatrician.
7. Burping your baby after every feed. It is important to properly burp your baby after every feed. It might take a while before he burps, but keep at it. This is to prevent trapped gas in his belly which can cause discomfort.
8. Lay your baby tummy down across your knees and gently rub his back to help get rid of gas.
9. Give your little one a warm bath and gently massage his belly with a warm cloth during the bath. This is how most of our mothers relieved colic in babies.
10. Introduce a pacifier, or maybe your baby has already sought solace in his own fingers. Babies find sucking very comforting.
11. Research suggests that probiotics can relieve colic symptoms.
12. Medication is generally not recommended as colic will usually go on its own by 3 months or 6 months at the latest; but simethicone drops such as Infacol have been known to provide relief. Ask your pediatrician before giving your baby any medication.

If you are worried about your child, or symptoms seem to be more than colicky behaviour, it is best to see his pediatrician to rule out the possibility of an illness; because sometimes, hard and persistent crying can be for more serious medical reasons that require treatment.