Colic Relief

If you suspect that your baby’s prolonged crying, gas and difficulty sleeping are due to colic, you should speak to your public health nurse, pharmacist or GP to confirm the diagnosis. It’s thought to be caused by their developing digestive system and will usually resolve itself after a few months. In the meantime, there are solutions that will help to soothe colic symptoms. These range from techniques for comforting your crying baby to medical treatments for the suspected root causes of colic.

When it comes to comforting your baby, there is no ‘right’ way – it completely depends on what they respond to. Below are a few tried-and-tested methods that mums have found helpful:

• Soothe them with gentle rocking motions
• Try holding your baby in different positions
• Calm them with white noise (e.g. the hairdryer, vacuum cleaner)
• Give them a warm bath and then wrap them in a warm blanket
• Take a walk around the block with them in the pram
• Take them for a drive in the car
• Give them a gentle stomach or back rub
• Ask your health visitor about baby massage techniques

If you suspect your baby may have colic, watch our short video for tips and advice to help manage their symptoms.

• Although there is no proven colic treatment, here are a few practical solutions that can help ease symptoms.
• Sit your baby upright during feeds to prevent them from swallowing air
• Use a ‘fast-flow’ teat if you are bottle feeding – small holes in the teat can lead to swallowing too much air while feeding
• If you’re formula feeding, speak to your health visitor, GP or pharmacist about suitable specialist formulas for the dietary management of colic
• Always wind your baby after a feed
• If you are breastfeeding, avoid too much spicy food, alcohol, tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks

Colic can be physically and emotionally draining for parents, but you’re not alone. Around 20% of parents will go through the same difficult time. You may find that the tiredness and added stress can put pressure on home life, so it’s important that you get support. If you’re finding it hard to cope, here are some ways to help yourself:

• Talk to your public health nurse, pharmacist or GP, not just about your colicky baby, but about how you’re feeling
• Ask your friends and family for help so that you can have a break
• Try to rest as much as possible when your baby is sleeping
• Take a short walk with your baby; a change of scenery can really help both of you
• Get out and about and meet mums in the same situation who you can talk to

Don’t forget, if you’re finding it difficult to cope with your baby’s colic and need someone to talk to, our expert careline team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• Try the comforting techniques to see which work for you, and then stick with them
• Speak to your healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis and discuss nutritional solutions available
• Trial suggested colic remedies and see if any have a positive effect on symptoms
• Look after yourself, try to rest and remember not to blame yourself