How Should I Feed A Baby With Colic
No matter how upset or frustrated you might feel when your baby is crying, remember that lots of parents find this hard.
Youâre doing a great job, so hang in there â this colicky phase may be tough, but it will pass soon enough. In the meantime, take care of yourself and donât be shy about asking for help or support if you need it.
How we wrote this articleThe information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service . The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
What Is The Definition Of Colic
Colic is the word used to describe a condition when a healthy baby cries for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for three or more weeks, and is hard to console or comfort.
With a colicky baby, the bouts of crying typically intensify and last as the day goes on, and can worsen in the evening, typically between 6 pm and midnight.
Is My Baby Overstimulated
Another explanation is that by the end of the day, the baby has had enough. Supporters of this theory advise parents to reduce stimulation of their baby to improve crying.
In practical terms, this means keeping the baby away from bright lights and loud noises , and lightly wrapping the baby.
The research on these interventions is split. Some studies show a reduction in crying.
Provided a caregiver is still nearby or with the baby, there is little harm in this intervention, and it may be of benefit.
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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 babys 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 Are The Signs Of Colic
Features of colic may include the following: Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain. Crying for no apparent reason, unlike crying to express hunger or the need for a diaper change. Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished.
Does Gripe Water Help Colic?
A baby is more likely to experience stomach discomfort when unable to pass gas. Some babies cry for several hours over days or weeks. Since the herbs in gripe water theoretically help with digestion, this remedy is thought to help with colic caused by gassiness.
How do you soothe a colicky baby?
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How To Soothe A Baby With Colic
If the doctor thinks your baby has colic, follow their suggestions for comforting your baby. You can also try these tips:
Gentle massage. Your baby might enjoy a gentle massage, but be sensitive to how they respond. They may feel overstimulated.
Noise. Babies like sounds that remind them of the rhythmic heartbeat and gentle whooshing noises they heard in the womb. Your baby might find it comforting to sit in their infant seat near the clothes dryer as it’s running or snuggle in a front carrier while you vacuum. Or they might calm down when the exhaust fan is on in the kitchen.
You can also search online for soothing sounds like rainfall or other constant, natural noise.
Silence. Some babies are comforted by motion, noise, and activity, but others need less stimulation and respond better to quiet, stillness, and darkness.
Motion. Gentle movement can be soothing, so try rocking your baby. You can put them in a baby swing, but if your baby falls asleep in the swing, it’s safest to move them to a crib.
It might be easier for your baby to settle if you walk around the house carrying them in a front carrier or sling. They may prefer being held higher in the pack, close to your chest and your heartbeat or try gently bouncing up and down in this position while hugging your baby close.
On the other hand, if you’ve been out and about with your baby all morning, some quiet time at home might be just what they need.
How To Soothe A Colicky Baby
Wondering what to do for a colic baby? According to experts, a great place to start is with the Five Ss strategy to mimic the womb environment. When that doesnt work, work your way down the list of parent and expert-approved colic-soothing tactics.
- Swing and rock your baby
- Offer a pacifier or breastfeed
- Give them awake tummy-time
- Talk to a healthcare provider about probiotics
- Consider an elimination diet if breastfeeding
- Burp your baby frequently
- Pump their legs to relieve gas
- Wear them in a sling or carrier
- Give them a massage
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Should You Swaddle A Colicky Baby Does It Help
Swaddling safely can be a fantastic tool in handling a colicky baby! Gentle pressure on your baby’s tummy can be key to soothing colic, but placing your baby on their tummy is unsafe during sleep. That’s why sleep aids like the Zen Swaddle can come in handy, providing this extra pressure in a comfortable, and more importantly, safe way for your baby..
Where Can I Get Help
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome offers a program, the Period of PURPLE Crying, to help parents and other caregivers understand crying and how to handle it.
All Babies Cry is a program that helps people learn how to soothe a baby and cope with crying.
The program’s four parts are:
If you are worried you might hurt your baby or someone else will, call the national hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD anytime for help.
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When Does Colic Start
Colic tends to start around 2 to 3 weeks of age. Colic usually peaks around 6 to 8 weeks and then slowly dissipates, disappearing completely around 3 to 4 months of age. A baby with colic will often go through their most intense crying spells between 6:00 p.m. and midnight. Of course, that’s usually just when you as a parent are also feeling worn out. While the incessant screaming might make you want to pull your hair out, just remember that this phase won’t last forever.
Change The Formula Milk Brand
If your baby is colicky all the time, changing the formula milk brand may help. Sometimes, the ingredients of a particular formula milk brand may be the cause of colic. If you have started giving formula milk to your baby along with breastfeeding or otherwise, and he suffers from colicky, try changing formula milk.
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What Is The Treatment For Colic
This is the million dollar question! There is no very good evidence for ANY colic treatments used. Studies have been difficult because definitions of colic vary, because it is difficult to measure how effective treatment is, and because it gets better on its own anyway. Mostly, managing colic involves finding out what works best for you and your baby in a way that causes the minimum amount of stress.
Strategies which MAY be useful include:
- Checking with a health professional if you are in any doubt about the diagnosis. Worrying about the cause of your baby’s crying is likely to add stress to an already difficult situation.
- Holding your baby when they are crying to soothe them. However, this does not mean you have to continually hold a crying baby. As long as you are sure your baby is not too hot/too cold/hungry/unwell and does not need a nappy change, it is OK to lay them down for a short time.
- Movement sometimes helps. You could try rocking them gently or taking them out for a walk in a pram, sling or baby carrier. A drive sometimes helps too, but only if you were planning to do this anyway – you don’t want to find yourself driving round the neighbourhood for no good reason every time the baby cries.
- ‘White noise’ sometimes helps. Background noise, such as a vacuum cleaner, music, a washing machine or a hairdryer may in some cases be soothing.
- Bathing the baby in a warm bath.
- Make sure you ‘wind’ your baby after feeding.
When To See Your Healthcare Provider
If your babyâs crying persists and nothing seems to help, it could be time to visit your babyâs healthcare provider. He will be able to determine whether your little one has colic or pinpoint another medical condition.
Also, if your baby still shows signs of colic once heâs more than half a year old, speak to your babyâs healthcare provider to find out if there is an underlying cause.
Seek immediate medical attention if your baby
-
is sleepier than usual for a baby .
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How Long Does Colic Last
I was just having a discussion with a client with a 4 month old baby who said I felt like it would never end but now I can enjoy my baby. This was all to do with colic and how those first 4 months were so difficult and felt like they would never end. But how long does colic last for? Does it disappear at the magic 3 months mark or can it go on for longer?
Finding the answer
It is important to understand that there is always a reason behind the crying. A baby doesnt cry for no reason, it is their only way of communicating. Your task is to understand the reason why. It depends on the reason of their distress as to how long colic will last. It can be a case of trial and error to find the root cause.
In my clients case her baby was struggling with reflux.Once we had discussed the possibility that it could be the issue and it was followedup by a GP referral, her little boy received medication on a temporary basisand is now so much happier.
Other digestive issues such as allergies and intolerances can also be a reason and it is important to watch out for other symptoms. For further information on the symptoms of cows milk protein allergy see my article here
It could also be caused by medical issue like reflux or tongue tie, that will only get better once resolved.
It can take time to understand the underlying cause of your babys discomfort and it is when we establish why, that is when the colic will pass.
The Fourth Trimester
When To See The Doctor
Babies can cry for lots of reasons. If you think thereâs more to your little oneâs distress than colic, see your doctor to determine whether your little one has colic or potentially another medical condition.
See a doctor or call 111 straight away if your baby
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has a fever with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
-
has an unusual, weak or very high-pitched cry
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is vomiting or has diarrhoea
-
seems listless or sleepier than usual
-
isnât feeding well.
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How To Minimize Reflux:
- Hold your baby in an upright position, not lying down, while you feed them and burp them several times during each feeding.
- Keep your baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding
- Baby wearing can be beneficial during times of fussiness
- Check with your GP if you can elevate the mattress to avoid your baby laying complete flat.
While youre here, check out Chantals guide to baby sleep and why your newborn might be crying.
How To Get Rid Of Colic
So far, the cure for colic is not known, just as the exact cause of the problem is not known. This period that the baby has to undergo must be endured with patience. You cannot possibly, get completely rid of colic, but certain steps might be taken to decrease the intensity of the discomfort.
The insistent condition of colic does not subside until it has run its course at best this condition can only be tuned down a little. There are certain measures that may be tried on the baby to try to calm or pacify it. These measures are solution to the probable cause of colic. Since there are different reasons that may cause colic, these measures must be tried one at a time rather than all at once, as that might overwhelm the baby and increase the intensity of discomfort. Some of the probable causes of colic are gastrointestinal issues or over-stimulated senses .
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What Is Colic And How To Treat Colic In Babies
All babies cry to communicate. However, when your baby is healthy, well-fed and lying in a peaceful environment yet it cries, theres something unusual. All babies cry, but when a baby cries in a systematic pattern over a period of time with no apparent issue, its time to check for colic in babies.
Generally, from birth till the fourth month, all babies suffer from colic. It is hard to understand for new parents, and the worst is that there is no particular treatment for colic. It is something you would never like your child to face. However, we have seen a lot of first time parents asking that how do I know if my baby has colic.
So, if you are a first-time parent having a colicky baby, first you need to learn that how to treat colic in babies? For this, the article will assist you a lot. Here, we will introduce you to the basics of colic in babies, some of the major symptoms and the treatment for a colicky baby.
Follow this draft religiously to find your solution.
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Create A Calming Feeding Time
Try making feeding time as peaceful as possible for both of you. Find a quiet spot and enjoy the peace of nursing, it will do wonders for your nerves and your babys digestion. Turn off the TV, play some soothing music, dim the lights and let your energy level slow down and become peaceful. A drop of lavender essential oil in the hollow of your throat will help you de-stress and soothe your baby, too. Just sitting, breathing and inhaling the scent will relieve the jangled nerves.
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When Should I Take My Baby To The Doctor
Look for the symptoms of colic to help determine if your baby has it or not. However, there are a number of things that might present themselves similarly to colic, but arent, like:
– Infections
– Acid Reflux or stomach problems
– Pressure or inflammation of the brain and nervous system
– Irregular heartbeat
– Injuries
If youre concerned about your baby – whether it be because you think she has colic or because you suspect she might be irritable due to another medical reason, you should contct your child’s healthcare provider. Theyll be able to rule out any medical issues with an exam and provide their opinion on whether or not your baby has it. Like we always say – you know your baby best! If you think somethings up, give your doctor a call.
How To Understand That Colic Is Over
When colic in babies ends, it is clear immediately that the child’s behavior changes. He becomes more calm, even in the evenings he is in a good mood. His belly is soft and the gases go away on their own. The baby is no longer tormented by spasms, parents can relax, adaptation was successful.
A happy family
The state of the mother affects the well-being of the baby:
- susceptibility to stress
- tiredness and overwork.
The more positive she is, the easier the baby will endure a difficult period for him. Children read the emotions of loved ones.
Important! There is no need to perceive colic as a disease and look for other symptoms in the child. If the baby is healthy and active and cheerful during the period without spasms, you should be patient and take what is happening as an inevitable stage in the development of the baby.
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How Common Is Colic
Colic seems to be very common. It is thought to affect one in five babies. So, if you have a baby with colic, you are not alone! It is most common in the first six weeks of a baby’s life. It is just as common in girls as it is in boys. It is just as common whether the baby is breast-fed or bottle-fed.
Tips For Parents On Coping With Colic
Though it can safely be said that even hours and hours of daily crying doesn’t seem to hurt a baby, it certainly does leave its mark on parents. Listening to a baby’s screams can be heartbreaking, upsetting and anxiety-provoking and can take a physical and emotional toll.
To cope with colicky crying that just won’t quit, try the following:
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At What Age Does Colic Begin
When a newborn begins to have colic, it does not depend on the way it is fed. It happens that children who eat formula do not suffer from tummies, and babies on guards suffer for months and vice versa.
Colic usually begins when the baby is 1.5-2 weeks old. They cannot be confused with anything:
- Crying attacks do not go away and last up to three hours, sometimes more
- The intensity increases in 1.5-2 months. At this time, children become the most restless, crying is the longest.
The baby is crying
Breastfed babies suffer from colic if their mother abuses junk food:
- sweets and baked goods
- spicy, smoked, fried.
The nutrition of a nursing woman should be varied, you should not limit yourself. The main thing is for the first time to refuse food that increases gas formation, and to use gentle methods of heat treatment. Highly allergenic foods, such as red berries and fruits, citrus fruits, should be tasted in small portions, observing the baby’s reaction. Sometimes they recommend that the mother exclude dairy products, explaining the baby’s poor health by a reaction to cow protein.
Colic is also attributed to lactase deficiency . As a result, it enters the intestines in large quantities and provokes the growth of bacteria. This leads to increased gas production and spasms.
Note! Be sure to give up alcohol, smoking. You can not use antibiotics, with rare exceptions. There are medications that are compatible with feeding, which the attending physician will certainly announce.