How to Care for a Baby with Colic

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My first baby was so easy. 6 months in, other than adjusting to a bit of sleep deprivation, I figured I had this parenting thing DOWN. He was happy all the time. When he did cry I could get him to stop almost immediately. Easy.

Then I had my second baby and I learned what colic was first hand. This parenting things was not easy anymore. My baby cried, and cried, whether I was holding him, feeding him, changing him. . . he didn’t care. He just cried all the time. I can tell you that colic can cause you to have a dramatically difference experience with a new baby.

I consider myself fairly patient. Crying babies don’t usually phase me. BUT babies who never stop crying have a way of making anyone crazy.

These are a few of the techniques I’ve had the best luck with when I was caring for a baby with colic. Target also carries a great new product from Little Remedies® that I wish I had tried when my babies were younger. The new Advanced Colic Relief formula, which is a chamomile herbal blend, has been shown to reduce crying by 60%*.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Wear your Baby

Babies feel so much more comforted when they are being held. Wearing your baby lets you keep your arms free and helps distribute baby’s weight a bit more evenly so he is easier to carry for long periods of time. Babies with colic may still cry while they are being held but they’ll often cry a lot less (and it makes you feel like you are doing something to help).

Hold your Baby with a bit of pressure on his tummy

This position worked wonders on my babies. Hold your baby tummy side down on you arm. Your baby should be looking at the ground. The pressure from your arm on your baby’s tummy can help make babies with colic feel better. My babies always fell asleep when I put them into this position.

My baby is bigger now (and clearly not in a bad mood) but this picture gives you the general idea of a hold that works great with colicy babies.

Swaddle your Baby

Swaddling is amazingly comforting to babies. Babies with colic can really benefit from this because it calms them down, and helps them fall and stay asleep. You can swaddle your baby with any larger baby blanket (I prefer thinner muslin style blankets to get a tight fit) or there are several baby swaddles on the market that do a great job.

Gripe Water

I have heard so many moms sing the praises of gripe water. As soon as my second baby started showing signs of colic, we were told to head immediately to the store and get some gripe water because it would solve all of our problems. We had great luck with gripe water. Little Remedies® is one of my favorite brands because I know they have gentle solutions for babies. They have their own brand of gripe water (I found mine at Target) and I love that it has no artificial flavors, dyes, or parabens.

Target has some great deals on Little Remedies® products going on right now including a 20% off Cartwheel offer (good through 10/17) and  a Target gift card offer (starts 9/27 and runs through 10/17) that will give you a $5 Target Gift Card when you buy 2 products. You can find Little Remedies® products in the baby and digestive aisle.

Try a Change of Scenery

Sometimes it just takes a change of scenery to distract a baby. Try going for a walk, taking a drive in the car, sitting outside, or walking around the house. My babies would often wear themselves out crying. If I could just calm them down enough to get them to relax they’d usually fall asleep. I love just standing in my backyard and watching the sunset while rocking my babies. It’s relaxing for both of us.

Ask for Help When you Need it

It’s rough caring for a crying baby. I’m a mom of 6 and I still struggle on those days when one of my twins cries and I can’t calm her down. Sometimes you just need a second set of hands. If you have a friend or family member who can hold your baby, even for 15 minutes, while you regroup it can do wonders for your ability to cope.

Have any of your babies had colic? What tricks do you have for comforting them?