Managing Colic in babies
Colic can be described as predictable periods of significant distress in an otherwise well-fed, healthy baby. What we experience is a baby who for a few hours at the same time every night for a few weeks cries inconsolably. The babies cry or are fussy for several hours a day, for no obvious reason. Colicky babies often cry between 6 pm and midnight. When babies with colic cry, the cry is louder, more urgent-sounding and more high-pitched than regular crying
To manage colic- we offer several options to parents
Turn on white noise- a fridge, a fan- not focused on baby, so that baby can hear the noise
Gently rock the baby in your arms or a swing- place baby face down on your outstretched arm with baby’s face in the same direction as your palm, but with your fingers under baby’s chin to lift the chin slightly, baby’s belly on your arm, legs dangling down. Some parents will place their baby’s face near their elbow, as they feel they have better control.
Gently rub baby’s back
Hold and cuddle baby, walk with baby, and whisper into baby's ears- also serves as white noise: sway back and forth while you hold your baby or find other ways to rock her gently
Use a warm -NOT HOT- cloth on the baby’s belly or massage the belly
Swaddle your baby in a soft blanket
Sit or hold baby upright during feeding to stop them from swallowing air
Carefully burp your baby during and after meals
Gently rock your baby over your shoulder after each meal.
Some will advocate offering babies pacifiers after the age of six weeks- we worry about nipple confusion before then.
Simethicone which has NO OTHER CONTENT has been reported to help in some babies - beware of diarrhoea, and beware it does not contain anything else such as alcohol or a drug that will make them drowsy -It is given as one dropper full before each feed of the 40mg/ml formulation - 0.5 ml (20mg)- up to 4 times a day.
DO NOT SHAKE BABY TO STARTLE OR SHOCK them- it can lead to brain damage
If the situation becomes frustrating, let someone else take over, or place the baby in a crib, ensure the baby is safe and walk away for a short time to clear your head; call another adult for help