Tips

Gripe Water: For over a hundred years, gripe water has been a trusted remedy for colic used by pediatricians, nannies and millions of parents all over the world. The best quality of gripe water should be manufactured according to strict FDA regulations for good manufacturing practices (GMP). Colic Calm® meets this high standard, and it works quickly; usually within five minutes or less, providing safe and effective support with no side effects. Many parents simply describe Colic Calm as the miracle solution for help to provide relief from colic, gas and fussiness.*

Keep a Colic Diary: By documenting your babies colic episodes you may be able to help yourself and your pediatrician anticipate episodes and even pinpoint the cause. A colic diary should contain a record such as the time of day the episodes started and their duration, sleeping and eating patterns, what soothing strategies you’ve already tried and their effect, the sound of baby’s cry, your baby’s behavior, body posture during episodes and smell and color of stool and urine.

The Colic Hold: The colic hold uses gravity to apply gentle pressure to your baby’s abdomen. This may help baby expel gases and increase motility in the gut. Carry baby face down with baby’s tummy resting on your forearm, baby’s legs straddling your elbow and baby’s chin resting in your hand. You can give baby a gentle back rub for additional pressure. A similar result can also be achieved by putting baby face down on your leg, whilst you are seated. Alternately try the neck nestle; where baby’s head is placed in the groove between chin and chest and lean back slightly whilst holding baby upright to place gentle pressure on the tummy area.

Sound: Sound can be simulated using white noise from a hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, tumble dryer, radio static or shushing.

Motion: A gentle rocking, vibrating motion or slow dance can soothe an upset baby. You can hold baby in your arm, a cradle, swing or even take baby for a car ride. You can also sit on an exercise ball to create the bouncing motion many babies love.

Massage: A gentle stomach massage has been known to help some babies relieve the digestive discomfort associated with colic and to improve the motility of trapped gas.

Pacifiers: Can help baby calm down by triggering the sucking reflex.

Herbal Tea: Lukewarm herbal teas are an old “folk remedy” for colic. There is some evidence that fennel tea in particular may help.

Music: Recorded lullabies or just singing to your baby may work at least by distracting baby’s attention from discomfort, not to mention soothing the frayed nerves of mom and dad.

Probiotics: Babies treated with a special type of oral probiotic available for infants, such as Lactobacillus reuteri or P.pentosaceus, have been shown in studies to have reduced crying episodes when compared to a placebo group.

Cuddling, Swaddling and Holding: Keeping your baby close in your arms, swaddled in a blanket or in a sling may help calm your fussy baby. This creates a warm and confined environment more like the womb.

A Warm Bath: May relax baby especially if combined with aromatherapy (such as with scented soap or bath oils).

Increase Frequency of Feedings: Shorter and more frequent feeding may help placate your baby if hunger is a factor in the fussiness and the sucking reflex certainly has a calming effect on infants. Be careful not to overfeed as this could actually worsen symptoms. If breastfeeding, empty one breast completely before switch sides, as the hindmilk has less lactose which could trigger increased gassiness.