5 Tips for Soothing a Colicky Baby

To first-time parents, soothing a colicky baby can feel like rocket science. However, a few simple tips will get that adorable smile back on your child’s face. 

Colic is a condition that affects some newborn infants. It typically starts at around 2 weeks of age and is characterized as a healthy who cries more than three hours a day, multiple times a week. Unfortunately, no one really knows why some healthy babies seem to fuss more than others. 

However, if this is your child, you don’t need to worry. Colic doesn’t affect kids later in life. In fact, it usually goes away after three or four months. 

In the meantime, here are some tips that will help soothe a colicky baby. 

Give Your Baby a Massage

Most people believe that colic symptoms are caused by pain in the abdomen and gastrointestinal area. As a result, a massage is a great way to help relieve some of this discomfort. 

Lay your baby on their stomach and gently rub their back. This should help release gas trapped in their abdomen. 

Pedal the Legs

Another way to relieve tension in that area is by moving your baby’s legs. Start your child on their back and slowly move their legs as if they were peddling on an invisible bike. 

This is effective in releasing pressure in the intestines. 

Hold Your Baby on Your Arm

We all love to cuddle babies and curl them up in our arms, but sometimes this position can become uncomfortable and stiff for them. 

Instead, if your baby is fussy, try what is called the “colic carry.” In this position, instead of cradling your baby, you place them so their stomach faces your forearm. 

Support the head with your hand. Then rock gently. This is a soothing position for some babies. 

Create a Good Ambience

A baby’s environment can have more of an effect on their well-being than you might expect. Eliminate loud noises and bright lights. 

Replace them instead with soft lullabies and white noise. 

Watch Their Diet

If your baby still seems to fuss excessively, you may want to look into new diet options. If you nurse, you might need to watch what you eat. Your child could be allergic to something you are eating. 

Avoid spicy food, onions, cabbage, garlic and caffeine. If your baby takes formula, look into switching to a hypoallergenic formula. 

Find More Tips for Soothing a Colicky Baby

If after all these tips, your baby still seems unhappy, schedule a visit to the pediatrician. Together, you’ll be able to find solutions that help your family. 

Call us today to meet with one of our fantastic doctors.