How to Soothe Your Baby’s Colic: A Paediatrician’s Advice

If your young one is crying for no reason and your efforts to console your child are of no use, you might be dealing with colic. In such cases, you might need expert advice on soothing your baby’s colic. Also, it is a common but often distressing condition for both baby and parent. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore colic, its causes, and some effective strategies to help you soothe your baby.

Moreover, we have some expert advice from a paediatrician to help you survive this challenging phase and provide much-needed relief for your little one. 

Read along to learn the best tips on how to soothe your baby and more.

What Is Colic in Babies?

In broad terms, Colic refers to uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy infant. Also, it is a common issue that may begin within the first few weeks of life and peaks around six to eight weeks. However, it usually resolves on its own by around three to four months of age.

Also, the exact cause of why colic occurs cannot be pinpointed. However, it is believed that babies are unusually sensitive to stimuli or may be having trouble digesting breast milk or formula. Moreover, babies may not be able to self-console or regulate their nervous systems. However, colic usually disappears on its own.

Common signs and symptoms of Colic

Here are some symptoms that can help you know if your baby has colic:

• Inconsolable crying 
• Crying at the same time every day.
• Crying bouts for more than three hours a day.
• More than three days a week.
• Crying bouts for more than three weeks.

Other colic symptoms in babies may include:

• Screaming.
• Extending or pulling up legs.
• Clenched fists.
• Babies with colic will open their eyes widely or close them tight.
• Their sleep and meal routines are disrupted.
• They inhale too much air due to crying and develop gas.
• Enlarged or distended stomach.
• Arched back.

Therefore, if you notice that your baby’s crying seems excessive or is accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or poor weight gain, call your paediatrician immediately.

Expert Advice on Soothing Baby’s Colic

Nature teaches all new parent, to quickly learn to decipher their baby’s cries. Thus a high-pitched wail often signals hunger, a low rumble might mean a dirty diaper, and a fussy whimper might be a sign of overstimulation. However, relentless, inconsolable crying that comes out of nowhere might be confusing and could indicate colic.

Additionally, this frustrating crying is a temporary phase. However, babies need a lot of soothing to make them calm and happy.

Comforting Your Colicky Baby: Soothing Strategies

It is helpful to know expert-suggested strategies to comfort your baby. Also, every baby is unique, and what comforts one may not work for another. However, here are some common soothing techniques:

• Gently rock and sway the baby, mimicking the soothing motion of the womb.
• Skin-to-skin contact works as the warmth and closeness of your body can be incredibly calming.
• Sucking can be a natural soother for many babies.
• A warm bath can be both relaxing and comforting.
• You can provide relief by gently massaging your baby’s stomach.
• Take a stroll or go for a ride with your child. 
• Swaddling your baby in a blanket

• Play some soothing music 
• Dim the lights and limit other visual stimulation

Proven Tips From Paediatricians for helping your colicky baby

To help you navigate this colic phase, we’ve gathered expert advice from paediatricians. These proven tips can help in soothing your little one and providing much-needed relief for both of you.

Feeding practices

You can try changing feeding practices to see if it provides some relief. Additionally, try bottle-feeding your baby in an upright position. Also, burp frequently during and after a feeding. Moreover, using a curved bottle will help with upright feeding. Also,  a collapsible bag bottle can reduce the intake of air.

Trial changes in diet

If your baby continues crying, your doctor may suggest a short-term trial of dietary changes. Therefore, if your baby has a food allergy there would be other signs and symptoms, like rash, wheezing, vomiting or diarrhoea. 

Dietary changes may include:

• Formula changes: If your child is on infant formula, your doctor may suggest a one-week trial of an extensive hydrolysate formula that has proteins broken down into smaller sizes.
• Maternal diet: If your baby is on breast milk, you may try a diet without common food allergens. These include dairy, eggs, nuts and wheat. Also, you can eliminate cabbage, onions or caffeinated beverages.

Other important Tips

• Never over-feed or under-feed your baby.
• Burp the baby well after each feeding.
• Offer your baby a pacifier.
• Decrease stimuli by turning off TVs, phones, music and by turning down the household lights.
• Take help from a relative, friend or babysitter.

Possible causes of colic in babies

Doctors are still unable to tell us what causes colic. Also, there are conflicting theories on colic in babies:

Breastmilk sensitivities

A baby with colic may be sensitive to foods in the mother’s breast milk. Therefore, mothers can eliminate milk products, caffeine, spicy and gas-producing foods to see if this improves the baby’s digestion. When babies have colic, they cry to express discomfort when digesting.

Overstimulation

Babies develop colic if they are sensitive to their environment. However, not all babies have the same temperament. Most babies can adjust to lights, loud noises and all the other stimulation. However, some are not able to adapt to their environments.  

Oversensitivity to gas

Doctors find no evidence that babies with colic produce more gas than others. Moreover, they believe that it is probably due to swallowing more air while crying for prolonged periods.

Conclusion

We will all agree that colic can be a challenging phase for both parents and babies. However, with a good dose of patience and the right strategies, you can soothe your little one. Also, by implementing the tips provided here by our pediatric expert, it will be easier for you to create a calmer environment for your baby.

However, if you’re struggling to cope with colic or have serious concerns about your baby’s health, consult with a paediatrician at Dispur Polyclinic and Hospitals.

We have experienced healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing comprehensive paediatric care for infants and children.
You can call at (+91) 8822669275 to book an appointment today to discuss your baby’s specific needs and receive personalized advice.