Crying Baby? Help With Colic
One of the most difficult things to deal with is a crying baby. While some crying is normal, if your baby is crying excessively and displaying signs of discomfort, it may be a sign of infant colic. Learn more about how Infant Drops can help you.
What’s Colic?
Colic is defined as repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying in a new-born baby who otherwise appears to be perfectly healthy. Colic episodes usually last for hours and may happen at specific times of the day, often in the evening. The condition can affect up to one in five babies, so you’re not alone.
Colic typically occurs in babies during their first few months of life. It most commonly starts around 2 to 4 weeks of age and can last until around 3 to 4 months of age. However, the timing can vary from one baby to another. Some babies may experience colic for a shorter period, while others may have symptoms that persist up to 6 months of age
Podcast: Understanding Colic & How to Cope
Mum, Georgina, shares her experiences of having TWO babies who suffered from colic. In this podcast both Georgina and host Hollie share their experiences, tips and advice, plus, what they wish they had known.
Soothing Your Baby’s Pain
It can be very upsetting, not to mention tiring, when your baby seems distressed and constantly cries. Although it seems worrying, colic is common in babies and is not harmful, your baby will continue to feed and gain weight normally. There is no evidence to suggest that colic has any long-term effects on a baby’s health.
Colic can have a number of causes. In some cases, it is caused by temporary lactose intolerance. This is when babies are unable to fully break down the lactose in breast milk and infant formula. This can cause discomfort commonly known as colic and is characterised by lengthy periods of inconsolable crying. Suitable from birth, Colief Infant Drops are completely natural and help break down lactose into simpler sugars, glucose and galactose, making it easier for your baby to digest their feeds and reducing their discomfort.
Colief Drops have been recommended by healthcare professionals and trusted by parents for over two decades. Typically, at around three to four months, most babies’ digestive systems will naturally adjust to lactose and colicky symptoms will resolve on their own. However, if your baby is still experiencing colicky symptoms, you can continue to use Colief Drops for as long as necessary.
Symptoms Of Colic
Colic is a common condition that affects many infants in their first few months of life. It is characterised by excessive and inconsolable crying, often for several hours at a time, and typically occurs in the late afternoon or evening.
3+ hours of crying
Drawing up of the knees
Arched back
Flushed cheeks
Inconsolable
Could It Be Something Else?
Other conditions can cause excessive crying, such as constipation and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD). Therefore if your baby has other symptoms, such as blood in the stools and vomiting, speak to your GP.
Top Tips For Dealing With Colic
Colic can be a challenging and stressful time, but it usually resolves on its own by the time your baby reaches 3-4 months of age. In the meantime, there are various soothing techniques and strategies that can help alleviate colic symptoms and provide comfort to both you and your baby.
- Soothing techniques: Introduce a soothing routine around the time of the day when your baby’s colic is usually at its worst, this is typically in the evenings. You can try different calming techniques such as gentle rocking, swaying, or carrying your baby in a baby sling. Some infants find comfort in rhythmic movements.
- Cry Diary: You could keep a log of the times when your baby’s colic is at its worst – you may be able to find a pattern associated with any triggers, allowing you to understand better how to ease the symptoms.
- Tummy time: Gentle tummy massages or placing your baby on their tummy for short periods, under supervision, can provide relief. This can aid digestion and alleviate wind.
- Create a calm environment: Limit exposure to loud noises, bright lights, or overstimulation, as these factors can exacerbate colic symptoms. Establish a peaceful and quiet space for your baby.
- White noise: Create a soothing environment by using white noise machines, fans, or playing soft music. These sounds can help distract your baby from discomfort and promote relaxation
- Burping: Ensure that your baby is properly burped after feeding, as trapped air can contribute to colic symptoms. Gently pat or rub your baby’s back to facilitate burping.
- Baby Massage: Gentle massage techniques can promote relaxation in infants and help calm their nervous system. The soothing touch and rhythmic movements of massage can have a calming effect on a colicky baby, reducing stress and tension. Certain massage techniques, such as gentle strokes on the abdomen in a clockwise direction, can aid in relieving wind and promoting better digestion. This can help alleviate the gastrointestinal discomfort that often accompanies colic
Colic Relief Video Resources
Colief® has partnered with Angela Willis, a practising midwife in the NHS for over 10 years and a registered trained health visitor, to talk you through what colic is and how to identify the symptoms, as well as tips and advice on how to cope with a colicky baby. This series of 4 videos are available to watch below, and you can also read the contents of these videos here.
Is your baby crying and fussing a lot? Up to 1 in 5 babies suffer from colic – a medical term for unexplained crying with no medical reason found. Babies with colic appear otherwise healthy, gaining weight and reaching their early developmental milestones. Want to know more? Watch this video from midwife and health visitor Angela Willis, who talks through what colic is, how to identify it and how to help soothe your baby if experiencing colicky symptoms.
Coping with colic can be incredibly challenging for parents. The transition to becoming a parent is a special time but can also have its challenges, without the addition of colic in the mix. This video from midwife and health visitor Angela Willis provides some top tips for how to cope if your baby has colic.
Here you will find instructions from midwife and health visitor Angela Willis on how to use Colief Infant Drops. For more information you can also visit our page here.
Having a baby with colic is exhausting, anxiety inducing and can contribute to postnatal mental health problems for new parents in the postnatal period. For those of you who are struggling, watch our video here from midwife and health visitor Angela Willis, who provides some advice and tips on how to cope during this tough period.
Expert Tips and Techniques to Soothe Your Crying Baby
Comforting Your Baby with Colief Infant Drops
Colief Infant Drops Awards
