Colic Baby

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What can be done for a colicky baby?

There are medications available for the treatment of colic, such as Simethicone, but, as with any form of medication given to an infant, this should be considered only on the advice of your health professional.

Other than medication there isn’t really a lot you can do for your colicky baby other than to try to calm and comfort him/her as much as possible. Try various techniques to see which ones (if any) have a calming effect. Consider things such as:

• Soft lighting
• Quiet rooms
• Skin contact
• Keeping the baby warm by wrapping in a soft blanket
• Gently pat or rub your baby’s back
• Gently rock your baby back and forth
• Use a pacifier
• Give small amounts of food at regular intervals
• Walking around with the baby
• Take a warm bath with the baby
• Try to stimulate the baby by placing in a swing, rocking chair, activity gym etc.,
• Take a stroller ride outdoors if possible
• Take a drive with the infant in the safety chair
• Try feeding your infant (if bottle feeding) with a nipple with a smaller hole
• Try pausing during feeding from time to time to burp your baby

Above all, make sure to reassure your baby at every possibility, and, as frustrating as it will undoubtedly be, remember that it’s not the baby’s fault that it cannot tell you what’s wrong or do anything about it.

For parents of a colicky baby, the best thing you can do is to try to take it in turns to take care of and comfort your child so that all of the frustrations are not taken on board by just one of the parents. When possible, the parent who is ‘off-duty’ should try to relax and de-stress as much as possible.

Most important of all is that you communicate with your friends, family and doctor if you think the pressure and frustration of dealing with a colicky baby is getting to you. It will pass in time, and there are always people who can help if you take the initiative to ask. It absolutely does not make you a bad parent if you seek help to deal with the frustrations.

How long does colic last for?

Colic can appear anytime after a few weeks after birth, and will last for anything up to around three months from birth (sometimes even longer – particularly with premature babies). It should gradually ease over this time period however, particularly if you can find a technique that somewhat calms the infant down during periods of crying. If your baby is suffering from colic, make sure you keep in regular contact with your health professional for both your child’s well-being, and yours.

Will any future babies I have suffer from colic?

Colic is not hereditary so there is as much (or as little) chance of your next child suffering from colic as any other child. Whether or not your last baby had Colic has absolutely no bearing on the chances of any future children you have suffering from Colic.

Further Reading:

Why is my baby crying? Parent's survival guide, by Barry Lester & Catherine O'Neill Grace

The Happiest Baby on the Block : The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp

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