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‘How to relieve colic in babies’ is probably the thing I searched for most when my children were both tiny. I was so sure I could find the ultimate answer that would get rid of it for certain. Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast cure for colic, as the actual reason that babies suffer from it isn’t really known. What we can do though is to make sure that we do everything we can to ease the discomfort from the symptoms of colic that our babies present with.
What is Colic?
Colic usually occurs in babies at around 6-8 weeks old. It is characterised by a lot of crying. The good news is that colic isn’t permanent, it doesn’t cause any harm and it usually goes away on it own by 6 months. Colic symptoms include:
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Wind or a rumbly belly
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It can be hard to soothe or settle your baby
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They clench their fists
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Bringing their knees into their chest
Why do Babies get Colic?
There is no exact reason as to why babies get colic. Which makes it difficult if you want to know how to relieve colic in babies. According to WebMD colic could be caused by their digestive system that is still developing or hormones that could cause stomach pain.
What we really want to know though is how to relieve colic in babies, or at least how to ease the symptoms to make it more comfortable for your little one and easier on mum and dad.
How to Relieve Colic in Babies
Using anti-colic bottles
There are so many bottles out there that are anti-colic. For both of my children, I used MAM bottles and honestly cannot recommend them enough. They have a valve in the bottom that allows your little one to drink their bottle without taking in a lot of air. MAM bottles are also super handy if you are travelling as you can sterilise them singularly in the microwave, without a steriliser or a steriliser bag! How to relieve colic in babies is made so much easier with these bottles.
Related: The Fourth Trimester Transition.
Holding them upright after a feed
This helps the air make its own way out naturally without allowing it to settle somewhere and cause your little one pain. Holding them upright after a feed, can also help reflux in babies and get them to burp easier. Holding your baby after a feed can also work in your favour because it will help to settle them, and (fingers crossed) sleep!
Related: 20 Newborn Tips First Time Parents.
Giving Infacol Drops
This is something you have to do at every feed, that’s because the ingrediant Simeticone has to build up in their system. Infacol works by helping small gas bubbles group together to form bigger bubbles, which are easier for your little one to pass.
Holding them to calm
This is a really important step in how to relieve colic on babies, and it’s the same for everything really. The more worked up that you let them get, the longer they will take to calm down. When babies are crying, they also can take in quite a lot of air. This obviously counteracts any step you took to help relieve your baby’s colic symptoms. A white noise machine will also help to soothe your little one.
You have to remember, colic is actually a very common, and quite a normal thing for a baby to get. It can seem painful and distressing for your baby (and yourself), but it will pass and this is not a permanent thing. Keep on powering through and this phase of your baby’s life will soon pass. You’re doing great.
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