Colic MM
Coping with
colic
It can drive any parent – and baby - to despair, but rest assured that colic does eventually end. Here are some of our soothing solutions…
With recent studies showing that as many as one in three babies suffer from colic, the chances are that the Duchess of Cambridge, Khloe Kardashian or Kim Kardashian-West could be pacing the floor in 2018!
Symptoms of colic Colic is a condition, which is generally used to define three or more hours of continuous crying every day, generally around the same time of the day or evening. It tends to start a few weeks after birth and usually ends when a baby reaches the three-month mark, although this milestone can seem much further away when you’re constantly trying to cope with your baby’s discomfort. Other symptoms can include:
• Legs drawn up towards the chest and then pushed out rigidly as if your baby is in pain
• Clenched fists • Redness in the face • Cramp and passing wind more than usual • Swollen stomach • Difficulty in settling or pacifying
Causes of colic Despite extensive medical research, no one is 100 per cent certain about what actually causes infant colic. One explanation may be the build-up of small bubbles of wind in your baby’s bowel, which can cause your baby to cry out in pain and discomfort. Other suggestions range from babies
being overstimulated, to underlying conditions such as constipation, reflux or milk intolerance. If your baby appears to be suffering from colic, but you’re not happy about diagnosing his colic yourself, then check out the symptoms with your GP in case there’s a treatable reason for his discomfort.
Ways to help your baby Infant colic drops given to your baby prior to feeding can help to relieve the onset of colic or settle the symptoms, but there’s now strong evidence that how you feed your baby can also help to ease colic. If you’re bottle feeding, try using four
fluid ounce bottles instead of bigger ones so that your baby doesn’t suck in too much air when he’s drinking. Using a slow- flow teat will also help to stop him gulping in air. If you’re worried that your baby’s formula milk doesn’t agree with him, then talk to your GP. Camomile tea can also make your baby feel calmer, so give him a few drops of weak camomile tea in his bottle or on a teaspoon. If you’re breastfeeding, you could give
your baby wind by eating certain foods. Try to avoid foods that make YOU windy, such as onions, baked beans or spicy foods. Feeding your baby in an upright position
can also help to prevent the build-up of wind, which is so commonly associated with colic. With practice, it should be possible to either breast or bottle feed in an upright position.
And remember…. As much as any mum loves her baby, trying to deal with a colicky baby for hours on end can fill even the calmest of mums with despair. If you find yourself becoming unable to cope, then it’s vital that you ask for help immediately. Just asking a family member or
neighbour to help out for an hour can make a world of difference and can help you to recharge your batteries quickly. If possible, talk to other mums, who may have experienced the same difficulties. And remember – your baby’s colic isn’t his fault – or yours – and it will go away eventually.
Ways to help your baby
• Try an infant colic treatment before feeding your baby
• If he is distressed, hold him high on your shoulder and move him up and down. Alternatively, try different holding positions. You may just hit on the right one to stop him crying
• Create a predictable routine for your baby. Try and encourage two or three naps a day so that he doesn’t reach the exhaustion stage
• Have a warm bath with your baby, including skin-to-skin contact
• Take your baby for a drive. The ‘old classic’ remedy – road noise and continuous motion – can help to calm him or put him over to sleep
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