Calming a crying baby can be tricky

Colic is a common cause of inconvenience for a baby. At the same time, it can cause great pain and extensive anxiety for the parents. Paediatricians and doctors are still not sure as to what exactly is this condition. Many believe that pain in the tummy is a common characteristic. If your baby has colic, then he/she would cry a lot. The crying spells may continue for over three hours. Such lengthened periods of crying would be of great inconvenience to you as parents. Besides, it may drain a lot of energy of the child. Another common way to know if your child has colic is by checking if he/she has gone stiff. Excessive pain in the abdominal area may stifle the rest of the body in infants suffering from colic.

If you are looking to relieve your child off this condition, then the best person to advice on what needs to be done is yourself. There is no single mantra for this and a lot of trial and error would be involved. The following are some of the most tested and successful ways to help your child.

1. Smaller, Multiple Feeds: To enhance digestion and enable your child to extract more from the food.
2. Infant Massages: A gentle massage might help calm your baby – however, do watch out for his response.
3. Change of Posture: At times, changing the posture in the crib or swaying your baby on your arms may help a great deal.
4. Grasp the Vision: A baby can be curious to the surrounding and changes occurring in it. Thus, for a crying baby, a bright object may hold his/her attention long enough to ward off the troubles in the abdomen.
5. Pacifier: If sucking soothes your baby, a dummy pacifier would work to your and his benefits.
6. Rock the Cradle: If this does not work, try holding him/her in your arms and swaddling in the air.
7. Fresh Air: To pacify your crying child, take him/her to a park where a lot of sound and sight would behold.
8. Probiotics: Useful bacteria may also soothe your baby – but this should be done only under the guidance of a paediatrician.
9. Try Noise and Hush: Watch out if your baby feels calm when noise is created or likes to be in a quiet and still environment.
10. Bathing: Some babies relax after getting a gentle, warm bath, and respond positively to warm water.

Very little is known of colic and yet, it remains an important condition affecting infants the world over. In fact, colic can be thought of as a large variety of stomach disorders that are known to affect a child. In any case, it would be best if you consulted your doctor.