Newborn Babies And Colic: What To Do?
Colic is a typical disorder of an infant’s first months of life that is characterized by intense and recurrent crying with no apparent cause. The case of newborn babies with colic is not a concern, although it is necessary for parents to know how to calm the little one.
This crisis usually occurs at the same time of day, usually in the afternoon or after the bottle. Also, colic is a very common symptom among babies aged 0-6 months.
It is often of great concern to parents, especially when it comes to the first child. So, what should we do about tears or crying and how can we alleviate the pain of colic?
See the following advice for calming colicky newborn babies. In fact, be aware that if no medication has been shown to relieve pain, many simple actions can calm your baby.
How to calm colicky newborn babies?
When the baby is colicky, crying can manifest along with certain characteristic behaviors. Newborn babies who are colicky experience spasmodic abdominal pain that triggers bouts of intense crying and a state of agitation, accompanied by the release of gas. The baby’s face turns red, his fists clench and his legs curl over his swollen belly.
Colic is not a disease. In fact, they are more of a description of a behavior. The only real associated symptom is intense crying.
Therefore, there is no radical treatment, as the origin is unknown. However, we must not leave and look for ways to relieve the baby’s discomfort. So, we offer below some advice to alleviate this discomfort:
1. Gently rock the baby
A good option is to give him a hot bath or something to suck on – a bottle or a pacifier – as this tends to calm the little one while you rock him on your lap. Keep the atmosphere quiet and leave the room dimly lit.
2. Give an abdominal massage
Place a hot water bottle on the baby’s stomach and massage gently. You can try an abdominal massage with some almond oil to facilitate the gentle touch.
Always massage clockwise. This method also helps the baby to get rid of intestinal gas.
3. Prepare a hot water bottle
Heat helps to relax the bowels and relieve spasms. Prepare a towel-wrapped hot water bottle and place it on your baby’s lower belly to soothe your baby.
4. Try to provide the baby with a balanced diet
Feed the baby more often, but in small amounts. Thus, it will be possible to reduce the cramps. You must maintain a correct interval between breastfeeding times – two hours minimum. Offer nothing but milk and especially avoid fruit juices.
5. Formula milk
Correctly prepare the baby’s bottle so that it does not contain too much dust and respect the adequate amounts of water. We also recommend giving the bottle slowly, in a quiet, relaxed environment.
At the same time, consider trying to change the brand of milk, always with prior medical advice. Avoid giving two different milks at the same time, as this will be more difficult to digest.
6. Place the baby in an upright position while breastfeeding
To prevent the baby from swallowing too much air while breastfeeding, it is advisable to place him as vertical as possible. Also, a good option is to opt for a smaller bottle to avoid unnecessarily filling up with air.
7. Help the baby to burp
Belching has a significant influence on the appearance of colic. Therefore, it is necessary to set aside time to help the baby to release excess gas after each breastfeeding.
For example, you can hold the baby in your lap, with his head resting on your shoulder, and pat him on the back, or massage the baby’s lower back when he is sitting to help him burp.
8. Pay attention to your diet
If you are breast-feeding your baby, avoid consuming too much yogurt and fresh cheese, as they pass into milk and are absorbed by the baby. These dairy products contain large amounts of cow’s milk protein which can be the source of your little one’s colic.
At the same time, avoid eating cabbage, broccoli and other foods that cause gas. Also do not consume soft drinks, sweets or alcohol or smoke.
Finally, this list of advice for relieving the pain of colicky newborns is sure to help you. Remember that it is very important to remain calm at all times and know how to calm your little one. If you’re worried that it might be a bigger problem, don’t hesitate to see your pediatrician.
