disruptColic is such a complicated condition. No one knows how it works or how to treat it. However, some things can still be understood about the puzzling situation. First is that the pain felt by the infant comes from the gut. Then by the result of that gut pain, the baby also becomes distressed. You will then hear the loud cries of the baby. Since no one knows how to treat colic, experts only focus on calming down the upset baby and settling the baby’s tummy.
If you’re a parent, it might seem like everyone will expect you how to comfort your baby immediately. If you don’t know how to do it, then one of the easiest ways to settle the baby’s tummy is by making comforting motions on the belly or touching it softly. However, there are other measures to comfort an upset stomach as well.
Slower And More Frequent Feedings
When you were a kid, weren’t you told by your mom or dad not to eat too fast, or else you’ll upset your stomach? That statement is true and is also applicable to babies. Since the stomach works extra hard to break down the lactose from the milk as a result of feeding too fast or too much, this creates more gases necessary, and it upsets the stomach.
A good thing to remember when feeding babies is to make them drink milk twice, but on the second feeding, the formula should only be in half. The stomach of a baby is small, which is as big as their fist. Therefore, feeding babies too much will end up upsetting it.
Colic Carries
Another way to comfort an upset baby with colic is to hold them in a particular position. Try the football hold. If you want to do the football hold, place the baby along your forearm. But the baby should be on their stomach with their head near your elbow. Their legs should be on each side of your hand.
After that, you could press your forearms into the abdomen to relieve some of the tension. You can also make the position in a way that the head and crotch in the reverse position. The crotch of the baby is on the crook of the elbow, while the cheek is on your palm.
The neck also nestles a great suggestion. It is another position that can be used to comfort your baby. To do this, burrow the head into the furrow that is between the chest and the chin. Comfort or calm the baby by humming a lullaby while swaying gently. These positions can be a great bonding time between parents and the baby. It is one of the tricks in dealing with a colic baby.
Colic Dances
Another thing that can help calm a colic baby is a colic baby rocker. But if you don’t have one, you can try some colic dances instead. Move the baby up and down, side to side, and then forward and back to control his colic attack. These movements simulate the action done by the baby in the womb. Other dances that could be are the football hold, colic curl, neck nestle, and elevator step.
The elevator step is a favorite dance, which consists of jumping up and down and heel to toe while walking and having the baby in a secured position. Utilize the neck nestle hold. When bouncing the baby, it should be at 60 to 70 beats per minute. It’s like this – one and a two, and a three, and a four, and so on. This beat matches the blood pulse of the uterus while the baby was in the womb. It seems like dealing with a colic baby needs some dancing prowess.
Another good choreography is the dinner dance. It can be done by dancing or rocking the baby while breastfeeding. The two actions can calm the baby down because infants will feel familiar with the dances. Don’t rush in ending the dance, or you’ll get more cries.
Baby Bends
There might be times wherein the colic is too much, and it gets the baby too upset. During these times, there are several things you can do to relax their abdomen.
The gas pump. Put the baby on your lap while facing upwards and the legs to you. The head should be by your knees. Now, move the legs in a cycling motion and try to get the baby’s attention, too, by making some funny expressions.
The colic curl. The colic curl is when you curl your arms while the baby is leaning on your chest. It can also be in reverse, but with the feet against the chest instead of the head and back (read more about it at KidsHealth.org). Use this as a way to bond with the baby by talking to him or making faces to amuse him.
Tummy Rolls
Beach balls are not only useful for playing sports on the beach but also for reducing colic pain. It can help in the tummy roll by putting the baby over the beach ball on his stomach and rolling the baby on it gently and in a circular manner.
Besides the tummy roll, you can also use a beach ball to do the baby bounce. If you want to be more formal, you can use a physioball. You can do the baby bounce by sitting on the ball. With the baby in your arms and bouncing up and down.
Tummy Tucks
You can also comfort the upset stomach of the baby by using a bottle with warm water or a rolled-up cloth. Place it under his abdomen. Also, you can do this while the baby is lying on his stomach and while rubbing his back. The head should be turned to the side so the baby could breathe fine.
Tummy Touches
Tummy touches can is through massaging the baby’s stomach and navel with your fingers and thumb while he’s on your lap. Make the baby lean forward so that the stomach can press against your hand. Larger hands are best for this exercise, so dad’s hands will come in handy. It can also be done by putting the baby on his back and massaging the stomach with oil in a shape of a circle, and ‘U.’ Tummy touches are a classic and are especially helpful in dealing with a colic baby.
Warm Touches
Your baby might be crying during bath time, but it is suitable for comforting an upset stomach. Put the baby in a relaxed lying position on a bed, the floor, or against the stomach for skin-to-skin contact. Also, this will make the baby hear you or your spouse’s heartbeat, calming him down.
Magic Mirror
If your baby is crying endlessly, it is an effective way to go in front of a mirror to make him stop. This method will make the baby stop crying as he becomes fascinated with his reflection. Put his hand or foot against the mirror and watch the baby’s interest grow as the fussing decreases.
Babywearing
There is no proper way on how to make babies fuss less. It differs from one baby to another. However, one thing researchers noticed is that babies who got carried more tend to make less fussing or crying. Among many practices in infant care globally, carrying the baby is one of the best ways to provide comfort. ‘
But it’s not just about carrying the baby. It’s called “babywearing.” Some babies tend to be at ease while being transported, even though they are colicky.
A mother named Carrie used to do this until she had to put her baby in daycare so she could work. The strategy was so compelling that she even recommended the daycare to use a sling too.
Babywearing acts as a regulating system that helps organize the baby’s biorhythms. There is a theory about colicky behavior and how it happens because the biorhythm of the baby is jumbled up. The biorhythm of a baby when inside the womb is regulated. But the moment the baby is born, they have disrupted biorhythm. The babywearing is an extension of what the baby experiences in the womb. Thus, it reorganizes the biorhythm of the baby again.
The womb experience of babies doesn’t end the moment they come out to the outside world. It also extends nine months later, even after being delivered.
Babies with colic or fussy babies can be a headache for most. But in the end, they’re your source of life and joy. Since there are no concrete studies yet that would point out the cause and treatment for colic, it’s up to parents to provide comfort as much as possible for their baby. Don’t think of comforting colic as a burden, think of it as a way to bond with your baby, and you’ll be able to enjoy it.
Frequently Asked Questions On Colic Baby
Last Updated on April 25, 2023 by Inma Barquero
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