How to Naturally Soothe Baby Colic
As a mother of 6, I do know all too effectively how robust it may be to have a fussy baby in the home. While it’s regular (and anticipated!) for infants to cry, generally it goes past that. As new moms, we’re particularly protecting of our kids’s health and keep additional vigilant if we expect one thing may presumably be fallacious.
In this text, I delve into some potential causes and pure treatments to soothe colicky infants and put a mom’s thoughts relaxed. From modifications in feeding routines and dietary changes to particular calming concepts to herb treatments. We’ll discover a variety of choices to supply aid to each baby and exhausted dad and mom.
What is Infant Colic?
Every healthy baby cries, however colic is when a baby cries and cries for no obvious motive. Colic is a symptom that there’s an issue occurring. Experts outline colic as when baby’s crying lasts for:
- More than 3 hours a day
- More than 3 days every week
- More than 3 weeks
Crying spells can occur at any time, however are sometimes worse within the late afternoon and early night. Symptoms normally start round 2 weeks of age and dissipate by about 4 months of age. But that point can really feel appear for much longer – particularly if nobody’s sleeping effectively.
While specialists aren’t positive what causes colic, some speculate it’s due to the baby’s immature and extremely delicate nervous system. Because the mind and nervous system are nonetheless creating, overstimulation might be overwhelming. Loud noises, vibrant lights, or an excessive amount of dealing with might trigger a sensory overload and colicky signs.
Other theories embody immature digestion, food allergic reactions, digestive discomfort, and hormone imbalance. Whatever the trigger, the signs might be disheartening.
Symptoms of Baby Colic
All infants cry, get fussy, and have digestive upset. But when these episodes are extreme and long-lasting, your baby might have colic. Some signs of colic might embody:
- Excessive crying that lasts hours
- Bright purple face after lengthy crying episodes
- Fussiness that lasts hours
- Clenched fists
- Grimacing or painful look on their face
- Arched again
- Hard, swollen abdomen
- Legs curled up over their abdomen
- Chronic burping
- Chronic reflux
- Passing fuel greater than regular
- Being inconsolable
Babies cry for a motive. The fussing is an indication the baby wants one thing or is uncomfortable. That mentioned, it’s essential to not take frustration out on our little ones. by no means shake a baby.
Take a Break
For some dad and mom, the stress of a consistently crying baby might be an excessive amount of. I keep in mind feeling overwhelmed myself, particularly as a model new mother! For mothers who really feel actually careworn and worn out, it’s okay (and healthy!) to take a step again.
If you don’t know what to do, let baby relaxation in a secure place like a crib or cot, and go to one other room to take a breath and consider. It might also be time to name one other member of the family to function a caregiver whilst you take a break and get a while away.
Causes of Baby Colic
Potential contributing causes of colic might embody the next:
Caesarian Section Births
C-section deliveries forestall the baby from swallowing the mother’s microbiome when going by means of the start canal. Dr. Zach Bush shares that C-section infants usually develop colic inside their first couple of weeks of life on this podcast. There, he additionally talks about chemical substances and the way they have an effect on digestive health.
My son who was born through C-section had some vital tummy troubles as a baby. It took us some time to get well his intestine microbiome!
A Tongue Tie or Lip Tie
Tongue ties and lip ties have gotten extra widespread since they’re genetic. Healthcare suppliers typically miss them at supply and health checkups. Both tongue ties and lips ties could cause feeding issues, main to digestive upset and ache.
Solid Food Too Soon
Introducing solids too quickly can even contribute to signs of colic. Ideally, infants ought to breastfeed for a 12 months or extra. Introducing strong food too quickly means the baby isn’t prepared to digest it. Without ample digestive juices, the baby might have indigestion.
Overfeeding
Sometimes overfeeding can lead to colic, because the baby’s digestive system can not but deal with a considerable amount of food. Overfeeding can overwhelm their digestive capability and lead to fuel, inflicting discomfort or ache.
Bottle-Feeding
Formulas aren’t at all times digestible for infants. They typically have soy, dairy, and different substances which are allergens or troublesome to break down. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends towards utilizing soy-based baby formulation. They’ve discovered soy is commonly an allergen and aggravates colic. Plus it’s not what I take into account a health food!
Food Allergies/Sensitivities
Food allergic reactions could cause colic, whether or not the baby is breastfed or formula-fed. What the mom eats can move by means of the breast milk. So, if a baby has a cow’s milk allergy, they might get abdomen ache or different signs when the mom eats dairy. Milk proteins, soy proteins, and others could also be culprits.
Acid Reflux
Some infants are fussy as a result of they’re coping with abdomen acid coming again up into the esophagus. This could cause a whole lot of the signs of colic, like crying and digestive upset. If your baby’s colic signs are attributable to acid reflux disease, their healthcare supplier can rule this out. Reflux might be attributable to a number of issues, together with tongue and lip ties and food allergic reactions.
How is Colic Diagnosed?
There’s no particular take a look at to diagnose colic. A pediatrician or different healthcare supplier normally bases a colic prognosis on the attribute crying sample. They then affirm it with a bodily examination to rule out different underlying medical issues.
Natural Remedies for a Colicky Baby
While there’s no assured treatment for colic, some pure treatments have been useful in soothing colicky infants. Here are just a few methods to strive:
- Holding your baby upright – Holding your baby upright throughout feeding will help forestall them from swallowing air. Keeping them upright for half-hour after they eat can even assist them keep away from acid reflux disease. Burping them typically will also be useful.
- Fermented liquid – A number of drops of juice from a jar of fermented greens might assist soothe the digestive system. Even some diluted kombucha might alleviate signs.
- Swaddling – Swaddling by wrapping the baby snugly in a blanket can present consolation. The sense of safety can cut back signs and fussiness.
- Gentle stomach therapeutic massage – Gently massaging your baby’s stomach in a clockwise movement might present some aid. Massaging with light pressure can cut back fuel and ease discomfort. I favored to therapeutic massage a bit of of this chamomile tincture onto my child’s abdomens after they had been having issues.
- Warm tub – A heat tub can have a relaxing impact on the baby and their its digestive system. The heat water will help chill out tense muscle groups, briefly relieving colic signs.
- White noise machine – White noise is one other means to present consolation because it mimics sounds from the womb. Even a fan or a washer could also be soothing and distract the baby from crying.
- Offering a pacifier – Many infants discover the repetitive sucking movement calming. In reality, sucking lowers heart rate, stress ranges, and blood pressure. Many infants naturally use their fingers or fist to suck on, however a pacifier will even work in a pinch.
- Consider probiotics – The probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (pressure DSM 17938) might cut back childish colic signs when breastfeeding.
- Going for a stroll – Take your baby for a stroll in a stroller. Sometimes the motion is an efficient distraction.
- Car trip – A trip within the automotive might present the identical distraction and soothing movement.
- Homemade chamomile tincture – A number of drops rubbed on the abdomen can actually assist chill out the intestines.
- Asafoetida paste – Asafoetida is an Ayurvedic digestive remedy. Mix a pinch of asafoetida with plain water or melted ghee to make a paste and apply round the navel of the baby (not inside).
- Organic gripe water – Gripe water is the standard “go-to” for colicky infants. A very good one may have digestion-supporting herbs like chamomile, ginger, and fennel seed. Gripe water is usually not beneficial for infants underneath 1 month previous.
- Fennel – A 2003 study discovered fennel oil labored higher for colic in infants than the placebo. Some researchers suggest not utilizing an excessive amount of fennel as there’s some proof it may lead to toxicity.
- Herbal teas – Chamomile, peppermint, or barberry might also assist. Cooled chamomile tea might be given in a bottle or consumed (sizzling or cooled) by the mom. Star anise can be common, however it could actually generally be contaminated with a neurotoxic look alike.
- Lavender essential oil – Using lavender oil with an belly therapeutic massage might also be useful. A 2012 examine discovered that colicky infants who obtained an belly therapeutic massage with lavender had fewer colic signs.
- Chiropractic changes – Maintaining a correctly aligned backbone helps take away stress on the nervous and digestive techniques. Dr. Hardick discusses how light changes will help infants on this podcast episode.
When To Seek Medical Attention for a Colicky Baby
Sometimes medical attention is important. If a baby is crying for greater than 3 hours a day, not taking food, vomiting, altering respiratory patterns, or experiencing diarrhea, one thing else could also be occurring. Noticeable weight loss, a strange-sounding cry, and a temperature of 100.4 levels F or increased might also imply it’s time to name a health skilled.
Final Thoughts on Infant Colic
It’s essential to observe that colic is widespread and isn’t from poor parenting or any fault of the mom or father. The particular components behind colic might fluctuate from one baby to one other. Often the trigger stays unknown. Hopefully, a few of these tips and treatments will help your baby really feel higher!
Have you had a colicky baby? What did you do to soothe them? Have any pure treatments you’d suggest? Share with us beneath!