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A persistently crying baby without any obvious reason can be termed as a colicky baby. The colic condition sets in at the age of 3 to 6 weeks and may last till a baby attains 3 to 4 months. Rare cases have been seen where it lasts up to a year. Usually this crying happens at the same time of the day, mostly in the evening.
When we talk about the remedies to help a colicky baby, there are a few that can help parents manage the baby. There is no treatment or cure available, because the reason behind the colic has yet not been found, as the child having a colic is perfectly healthy in every other way. However, there are some home remedies that can help manage the colic.
Effective Home Remedies for Colic
Relax Yourself
The first remedy is for the parents to understand that they need to relax, even though their bundle of joy has turned into an inconsolable brat. Once you are relaxed, you will be able to manage the distressful time better. Understand fully well that neither you nor your child is responsible for it, and nor is there anything that will make sure that the child will become calm. You can only try.
Hold The Baby
Hold the baby and move around. Your movements may give the baby some respite.
Burp After Feed
After every feed burp the baby. You can try burping the little one during feeding as well.
Buy a Swing or a Vibrating Seat
Many colicky children respond very well to the swing. The movement of a swing helps them overcome colic. Vibrating seats are available in the market. They give some time off to the parents, who otherwise may be required to hold the baby for long duration. Most of the children like to be in the vibrating seats, they feel comfortable in them. But a word of caution here! A vibrating seat should not be kept on the raised places like bed or a table, it can overturn and harm your little one.
Mother’s Diet
If the baby is on breastfeed, it has been seen that the mother’s diet can affect colic. The mother can try eliminating certain foods from her diet like caffeine, eggs, soy products and certain other gas causing foods. You can check whether eliminating certain foods does some help or not.
Hot Fomentation
At times crying babies can be calmed by keeping a warm water bottle on the stomach. This helps in giving comfort to the stomach. Be careful not to either make the bottle too heavy or leave the child alone with the bottle on her/his stomach.If the child doesn’t allow the bottle to be kept on the stomach try making the child lie in prone position on a pillow and then put the same bottle on the back.
Treat With Music
With a colicky baby, it is worth trying putting some soothing music on.
Belly Posture
Many infants can be treated for colic by making him/her lie on the belly and stroking on the back. The gentle strokes help them either because they like the vibrations or the gas movement makes them comfortable.
Check For Other Diseases
See that the baby is not running high temperature. The parents may think that child has colic, whereas, actually there may be some other problem, which demands that you go to a doctor.Colicky babies feed well and sleep well. If the baby is not taking the feeds properly, it is worth checking with your paediatrician.
Hold Back
If you are sure that the child is well fed, burped and dry, and does not show any signs of some ailment, cuddle her/him for some time, then leave her/him on her own. The chances are that the child will become quiet after some time.
Maintain Your Sanity
Take solace in the fact that your child is perfectly normal and that you are trying the best possible treatment for colic. Know very clearly that this is a temporary phase and that it is a part of growing up. Moreover, it is not going to last beyond two or three months. Do not shy away from asking for help from your near and dear ones if you feel frustrated.
Feed Often
It has been seen that the mothers who feed more often, help reduce the symptoms of colic, though contrary may be true for a few others.
Maintain Diary/Calendar
Note down the progress in all areas like weight gain and the milestones achieved. Note the time of crying as well. Take a note of your and child’s diet. It will help the paediatrician diagnose, whether the child has any other problem or it is simply a colic.
