5 good tips if your baby has colic

Colic can be incredibly hard to get through for both parents and baby. It's a tough start to new family life, and life with a colicky baby might not be what you hoped for when your belly was still big and round. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make it easier for both you and baby.

Jump on a pilates ball

If you don't already have a Pilates ball, they can be bought quite cheaply in a sports shop or sometimes on sale in supermarkets. Wrap baby in a duvet or a nice blanket, sit on the ball and bounce up and down. The rocking, rhythmic movements will stop the crying and baby may even fall asleep.

 

Ergonomic baby carrier or wrap

Many colic babies calm down when they can feel mum or dad close by. Put baby in the carrier and go for a walk, and see if the rocking movements make baby close his eyes. At the same time, baby sits upright, so it's easier to burp if there's a bit of air trapped. Choose a ergonomic baby carrier, there is no limit to how long you can carry your baby.

 

Consider changing your diet if you are breastfeeding

There's no evidence for this, but some people find it helps to give up cow's milk if you're breastfeeding your baby. Cow's milk is not made for baby's stomach, and if you consume it yourself, some will come out through your breast milk. You could also try avoiding cabbage and caffeine and see if that has an effect.

 

Don't forget yourself...

Even though baby is your whole world, you need to exist too. Accept help if it's offered. It may be a friend or family member can come over and make a meal, and hold baby while you eat. If you're really far out, put baby somewhere safe and walk out of the room for a few seconds or a minute, breathing deeply. If you continue to feel unwell, it is important you see a doctor or health visitor.

 

Remember: your baby is healthy!

The diagnosis of colic is only given to healthy children. Keep in mind that there could be many more serious reasons for crying than just colic. Colic children grow up to be normal children and adults.

 

Facts about colic

Usually, colic starts at 4-5 weeks of age, peaks around 8 weeks and ends in the vast majority of cases when the baby is around 12 weeks old.

Colic is a so-called "diagnosis of exclusion". The diagnosis of colic is given to otherwise healthy children who cry more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week for more than 3 weeks - without it being possible to determine why.