What to Do When Your Baby Has Colic? 5 Solutions that May Help

Do you have a baby who cries.. and cries a lot? I'm one of the lucky ones who was seldom been up late at night to comfort a crying baby. Baby has been very mabait that when he stirs for a bit, he returns to him calm self after i nurse him. Some moms complain of overnight crying. The old wives explanation is kabag (or stomach gas).

Others refer to prolonged crying as colic.  Below is a piece submitted by Heather Green, our guest blogger! She's a mom of two and has long bouts with colic. Her worst bout was when baby cried nonstop for 24 hours! In the post she shares tips on how to deal with a colicky baby.   

[caption id="attachment_1522" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The crying baby: Every mom had to deal with one once in a while!
Source of photo: tuczonaz.gov[/caption]

All babies cry. Some babies cry more than others -- and they don't stop. Some babies will cry for hours at a time -- each and every night for months. But how do you know if your baby has colic or is just plain fussy?

The secret to understanding if it's colic lies in the threes: It involves crying that lasts for at least three hours at a time at least three days a week for at least three weeks. It usually begins when your baby is about three weeks old and lasts until about three months of age.

Three-hour-plus stretches of crying on a near daily basis for weeks or months on end? It's enough to make anyone go crazy. Of course, your baby probably doesn't enjoy it very much either. If you (and your baby) have been unlucky enough to experience colic, here are a few solutions that may help:

Check Your Diet

Doctors don't know what causes colic, but they believe it may be related to digestive issues -- gas, specifically. If you are nursing, what you are eating could be having an impact on your baby's sensitive tummy. Some common offenders include dairy products, chocolate, caffeine, and gas-inducing veggies like broccoli and cabbage.

Try an elimination diet in which you cut out the common offenders for a few days or a week and see if you notice any changes. You can start adding these foods by one at a time to see if any cause symptoms again.

Check Baby's Latch

When babies take in a lot of air, they can suffer bad gas pains, contributing to colic. This might happen when they become upset and cry for long periods of time (we see a cycle...). It can also happen when they are breastfeeding and don't have a proper latch, allowing too much air to enter when they are feeding.

Make sure your baby has a good latch when feeding, forming a solid seal. Listen to hear the soft "k" sound that indicates your baby is swallowing and not just sucking in air.

Try a Foam Wedge

Some babies suffer from acid reflux, causing their colic. Using a foam wedge to prop up your baby during sleep can reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. The wedge props your baby into a semi-inclined position, helping to reduce the severity of the reflux.

You can put the wedge under your baby while sleeping, or put it under the mattress to incline it slightly. Always be sure to use a foam wedge that has been specially designed for this purpose.

Use the Five S's

Dr. Harvey Karp brought relief to parents everywhere with the techniques he calls "the five S's" in his book and DVD "The Happiest Baby on the Block."

These include:

• Swaddling, or tightly wrapping, your baby, emulating the close comfort of the womb. • Side holding your baby, like a football tucked across your chest, and facing out.

• Shushing your baby or using white noise.

• Swinging or jiggling your baby to create a rhythmic motion Sucking -- allowing your baby to nurse, take a pacifier, or suck on your finger.

All of these techniques are intended to calm and soothe your baby, helping to reduce the symptoms of colic and to promote longer and more restful sleep.

Try Gripe Water

Finally, there is a homeopathic remedy called "Gripe Water" that many parents swear by for calming colic. Different brands have different ingredients, but the primary components are bicarbonate, ginger, dill, fennel, and chamomile. The ingredients work to relieve digestive issues and to calm your baby.

Some parents never have any luck with Gripe Water, but others swear by it to get them through the long weeks of colic.

Being a new parent is hard enough. Dealing with colic makes it even harder. Though there isn't any "cure" for colic, these time-tested remedies have worked for sleepless parents the world over. Try these the next time you can't get your baby to stop crying.

Heather Green is a mom, freelance writer, pet lover and the resident blogger for OnlineNursingDegrees.org, a free informational website offering tips and advice about online healthcare administration programs. Note:  To determine whether or not your baby has colic, consult your pediatrician. Every case is unique so always follow your health practitioner's advice!

Note: Every baby is different so seek advice from your doctor before trying any of these!