Help with a colicky baby

Colic in a baby is truely distressing for both the baby and the parents. It can come on as young as two weeks and can last for up to five months. Colic comes on for no apparent reason, though I have heard it said that it is the baby just wanting attention. Having been through it with two children I can calmly state that it is not just an attention grabber; a baby with colic will be very disturbed and very little will calm them. However, you must ensure that colic is the real reason for your baby's crying. Once you have discounted hunger, nappy (diaper) change, too hot, too cold and tired, make sure they are not ill. The common signs for colic in a baby is not just continuous crying, it will also bring it's knees up to it's chest and will often pass wind - loudly!

If your baby is constantly crying but seems unwell you must seek medical advice. Here are some of the differences between colic and illness:

A colicky baby will want comforting; a sick baby will not want to be fussed

A colicky baby will have a good suck reflex and will want to suckle; a sick baby will not

A colicky baby will have a little reflux (milky vomit); a sick baby will be violently sick and will lose weight

A colicky baby will have a normal dirty nappy; a sick baby will have very loose bowels or constipation

If your baby has dry nappies contact a health professional immediately

If you are at all uncertain, contact your health professional.

There is no actual medical treatment for colic, although you may be able to purchase over the counter remedies that will help break down wind bubbles in the intestines. Nor is there any real understanding of why it happens to some babies but not all; some say it comes from bottle feeding, others from gulping down too much air when feeding. Whatever the cause, here are a few things I found helped me:

Wind your baby, especially after a meal.

A warm bath can help ease an aching belly.

Baby massage.

Lay your baby face down over your knees and rub or gently pat it's back.

Baby exercise

Although these tips worked for me, they will not necessarily work for you as all babies are different. The best tip I can give you is not to give up; colic is extremely stressful whilst it is happening but it will go, eventually! And most of the soothing, calming techniques you pick up for colic will help calm your baby in other times.

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