Soothing a screaming, colicky baby is never an easy thing, but there are a few key strategies that can, indeed, bring some relief with patience.
Colic refers to excessive crying in a perfectly healthy infant. Its cause is not known, but many of its effects can often be relieved by certain techniques used on their baby by parents and caregivers. Here are eight tips and tricks that may help:
Gentle movement can calm a colicky baby, reminding them of the soothing motions experienced in the womb. Various methods can provide this movement, like using a baby rocker or glider, a baby swing with a gentle, rhythmic motion, or taking the baby for a short car ride to provide calming vibration and motion.
Children can also be taken out in strollers, which would give them fresh air and a new environment. Some movement does manage to divert the baby’s attention, and any gaseousness or discomfort can be assuaged so that the baby’s temper is calmed down.
Creating a routine creates consistency between the infant and the caregiver: the baby is fed, sleeps, or plays at predictable times. Environmental changes that can jiggle or terrify an infant can be reduced with this regularity while reassuring them of what to expect thereby alleviating some amount of anxiety and possible crying episodes.
During routine preparation, ensure you maintain a regular feeding schedule – avoid overfeeding and too long spacing between feedings. Similarly, train for regular naps and have a routine bedtime so the baby will adjust.
Swaddling is a method that involves wrapping a baby snugly with some soft blanket to give the warmth and security of the womb. This method may assist in calming a crying baby since it limits his/her startle reaction. Place the baby snugly in a soft and light blanket, where the baby’s hips and legs are free to swing without limiting their movement and resulting in hip dysplasia. Lay the blanket flat, draw the top right corner down so that it meets the bottom right corner, and carefully place the baby on its back above the folded corner.
Tuck one side of the blanket under the baby’s body and bring the bottom part of the blanket up over the baby’s feet, bringing the final stretch over the baby, making sure to tuck the blanket well to ensure that this side does not swaddle too tight so that the baby will not constrict and be hard to breathe. Swaddling may soothe the baby, giving them complete security so that they are likely to fall asleep peacefully with much less crying episodes.
This is any constant steady sound that masks the noises from outside. This sound environment is the same she heard in her mother’s womb, which is why it calms her down. Some household appliances, for instance, a running vacuum cleaner, fan, or hairdryer can suffice for effective production of white noise.
In addition, there are sometimes several sound options on white noise machines, such as ocean waves, rain, heartbeat sounds. There are several smartphone apps that can play white noise. White noise calms the baby by establishing a familiar auditory environment that drowns out unpleasant, sudden, jarring sounds that may otherwise scare the infant.
The trapped air in the baby’s stomach causes discomfort or creates colic episodes; hence, proper burping methods help remove that trapped air and hence get rid of discomfort. The best method of burping a baby is to feed it milk in an upright position and then softly pat or rub its back onto your shoulder. In another method, position the baby on your lap, holding its chest and head with one hand, and with the other, gently pat the baby’s back.
Another method is to place the baby across your lap, and prop up their head by placing your hands on the floor beside them. Then, rub on the baby’s back with your fingers. Frequently burping during and immediately after feeding will often aid in limiting the gas buildup in the stomach and thus lessen the chance for the discomfort associated with colic.
Sometimes, diet can be one of the reasons for colic in a baby, either due to diet taken by the breastfeeding mother or in the formula of the baby, especially for formula-fed babies. For those who are bottle-fed, consult your pediatrician to change the formula for instance sensitive stomach.
For nursing mothers, you might like to eliminate some of the typical irritants in your diet. These include dairy, caffeine, spicy and hot, and some foods in the cruciferous group, such as broccoli and cabbage. Use a diary to track reactions to food and observe signs and symptoms of reaction to possible irritants. Identifying and eliminating dietary irritants can be most helpful for carers and genuinely alleviate symptoms of colic plus make a baby more comfortable.
Gentle massage can help relax the baby, improve digestion, and reduce colic symptoms by promoting gas release. To perform a baby massage, use a small amount of baby-safe oil or lotion and gently rub the baby’s tummy clockwise to aid digestion.
You can also rub the baby’s legs and arms with light, circular movements; do not exert too much pressure, and do not massage the baby right after feeding. Habitual massage will increase bonding between the caregiver and the baby, reduce stress and facilitate better sleep.
Sucking is a reflexive action which may help calm the baby and give them space for self-soothing and minimize crying.
Providing a dummy during distress or when the baby needs comfort can make things easier. Ensure the dummy is suitable for the age of the baby, and inspect it often for wear and tear. However, do not over-rely on dummies and use them as a tool for soothing rather than the sole source of comfort.
Dummies, satisfy the natural sucking by the baby, giving comfort in periods of colic for the baby.
The management of a colicky baby requires patience and experimentation. Because each baby is different, a strategy that works for one infant may be unsuitable for another. Applying these tips and tricks allows caregivers to provide relief not only to the baby but also to their selves. If the symptoms worsen or persist, seek a professional opinion from a paediatrician to rule out any medical conditions.
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