Key points:
- Baby colic is common, often occurring in the evenings during the first weeks after birth.
- If your baby’s irritability worsens with excessive crying, gas, and leg movements, consult a pediatrician for possible colic.
- Relieve colic with a gentle massage, stroller rides, or rhythmic rocking with soothing sounds.
- Prevent or alleviate colic by avoiding overfeeding, and seek professional guidance if needed.
During their first months of life, your baby may have some regular periods of irritability, especially between 6:00 pm and 12:00 am. These episodes might last around 3 hours, and they will happen in the first 6 weeks after birth. Then these fits might reduce to 1 or 2 hours a day between the third and fourth months.
If your little one calms down after a couple of hours and is calm and relaxed for the rest of the day, that’s great! But if your baby continues crying and fussing, and the irritability intensifies, you should contact your pediatrician, since your baby might have colic.
Some signs that you might observe in your little one are uncontrollable crying, constant moving and stretching of the legs, and having gases. You might also notice that your baby’s stomach is bloated or distended because of the gasses.
Keep reading to find out how to help relieve colic in your baby! We will talk about it in the next few lines.
Tips to control your baby’s colic
First, we recommend that you consult your pediatrician to see which of the following options can adapt to your baby’s needs.
1. Give your baby a massage
Massages have many benefits for babies, like strengthening their bones, muscles, and immune system. They also promote a calmer sleep, and benefit your baby’s digestive system, calming any pain caused by gases, constipation, and colic.
When you massage your baby, your caresses must be soft but firm. When focusing on the abdomen, press it lightly and massage with your fingertips in a circular motion, starting at the ribs and following a clockwise motion. However, if the umbilical cord stump hasn’t healed yet, you should avoid these types of massages.
For a step by step guide on how to massage your baby, visit this link.
2. Take your baby for a stroll
Most babies relax and calm down with a stroller ride. Both slow movements and physical contact with you can help your baby, even if they’re experiencing some discomfort. Another useful thing you can try is swaddling your baby in a thin and large blanket, so they can feel comfortable and safe.
3. Rock your baby
Constant rhythmic movements are good for calming your baby and helping them sleep. Try cradling and rocking your little one to soothe their discomfort. You can also play soft sounds, like really calm music, or have some equipment doing noise in another room, like a washer or a dryer. This might also help and soothe your baby.
These are some practical tips that might answer your questions on how to relieve colic in your baby. To avoid this discomfort, you should avoid feeding your baby too much, especially at night. If you’re breastfeeding, it is also advisable to avoid dairy products, cabbage, onion, and caffeine, as well as any other irritating foods.
Did you find this article helpful or interesting? If you have any other questions on how to avoid or relieve your baby’s colic, don’t hesitate to write them in the comments section!
