Excited as first-time parents? You will agree though, that parenting is never easy.
A newborn baby crying nonstop for hours can be overwhelming. Knowing your baby is healthy and suddenly cries for an unknown reason can be frustrating.
But, all babies cry. This is the normal behaviour of babies. When your baby gets fussy all of a sudden, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you. It also doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong as a parent.
If you think your baby’s normal crying is something more, you can be right. You might be dealing with baby colic.
You will notice the ‘Rule of Three’ when your baby is having colic. She cries for three hours a day, at least three days a week for 3 consecutive weeks.
About colic
Colic approximately starts 3 weeks after birth. Some episodes can peak when your baby is about 6 weeks. It declines and is usually gone by the time your baby is 3 to 4 months old.
Console yourself that this is just a phase of your baby’s journey. Eventually, the crying will become part of the soundtrack to your day.
This condition is a bit of a mystery. Unfortunately, the cause of colic is unknown.
A crying baby is telling to tell you something. You wish she can talk and tell you what’s going on. It may be a struggle to figure out your baby’s language, but don’t despair. Be patient.
Take comfort in the fact that this crying stage resolves on its own time. It won’t last forever.
How to treat
Read on to explore natural ways to treat a colic baby. These are practical solutions to soothe your crying baby.
- Ensure your baby is well-rested
Since your baby can’t talk yet, watch her signs closely.
Newborns generally need to be back to bed after one to two hours of being awake. Be sure your baby doesn’t get exhausted. Observe her wakeful periods. You can experiment on what works best in giving her that good sleep.
- Let baby burp after feeding
After feeding your baby, hold her upright on your shoulder. Support her neck and gently pat or rub her back until you hear the burp.
By doing so, it’ll prevent symptoms of acid reflux by relieving the gas and avoiding air trapped in your baby’s tummy.
- Create closeness
Your baby’s environment inside your womb is warm, cozy and dark. It can be an uncomfortable transition when she comes out into the open space as she joins you and the rest of humanity.
Babywearing creates skin-to-skin contact with you and your baby. The warmth it brings can soothe your colicky baby. Studies show that this can regular your baby’s mood, temperature, heart rate and breathing.
Carry her around while babywearing so that you can rock her gently while standing up.
Swaddling is another practice that will bond your closeness with your baby. You can do this by simply wrapping your baby in a blanket.
- Build your resilience
You need that energy to deal with the crankiness of your baby. Build your resilience so you can handle those cries better and respond to your baby’s needs.
It is helpful for you to have a good sleep. When your baby is having a nap, nap with her. This can also help you sync your sleep patterns. Your baby nestled close to you can make easier feedings without fully waking.
What you eat affects your breast milk. So what you eat is what you feed your baby. Avoid citrus fruits, caffeine, spicy and food that contain gluten. Eat healthily.
- Give a warm bath.
A warm bath can help soothe your baby’s tummy and her spirit. You don’t need to add any bubble bath or soap. A peaceful environment and warm water can be enough. While bathing your baby, you can also gently massage her abdomen.
If you don’t want to draw a bath every day, a warm compress is a good alternative. Dip a cloth in warm water. After dipping, squeeze it thoroughly. Place the warm cloth on her tummy. You can also try to gently rub her tummy with it.
- Do body works
Simple baby exercises are effective for releasing trapped gas.
Place your baby on her back and perform simple stretching. You can let her do pedal exercise by carefully holding her ankles together and gently bend one leg at a time towards her belly. For a few seconds, hold each leg near the tummy for gentle pressure.
You can repeat this exercise for a few minutes. But if your baby resists, don’t hesitate to stop immediately.
- Massage your baby
The massage generally soothes anyone. It also aids digestion.
You can use olive oil or coconut oil to massage your baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction. Peppermint has a calming property. You may add a drop of it in a teaspoon of your baby massage oil.
Worrying is a natural response as a parent. You don’t have to go through this alone. You can always check in with the pediatrician. You don’t have to go out of your home to seek medical assistance.
Through your smartphone, you can find a walk in clinic Brantford. Or better yet, you can talk to rocketdoctor.ca.
Do not get upset if you’re unable to soothe your baby’s crying instantly. No matter how frustrated you get, never hit your baby. Keep your emotional strength up. Remember, you didn’t cause the colic. Don’t feel guilty. Observe your baby’s behaviour and learn to harmonize. Take care of yourself as you are the primary caregiver of your baby.