Tips to Help Soothe a Baby with Colic
October 12th 2007 by Dr.MOZ in Colic, New Parents, GoodFather Fridays
Dear Dr.MOZ and GoodFather,
I have one word for you, and that word is “colic”. Our doctor tells us that our baby girl is healthy, and we’ll just have to try and make her as comfortable as possible until she (we) get through it.
Anything you might have in the GoodFather’s bag of tricks would be great.
Mike
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Hello Mike,
That has to be the shortest question that Dr.MOZ and I have ever seen, and understandably so. A colicky baby will cut new parents’ sleep time down from slim to
none, and there’s nothing like sleep deprivation to turn you into a big pile of mush. I’ll throw a few ideas your way, but don’t worry if they don’t automatically show signs of working.
Walk: Get the sling or stroller out and walk your way to a happy baby. The new sights and sounds just might distract her long enough for you to regain your will to live. No? Try the next step.
Water: Many babies are soothed by the sound of water, and parents have found that rocking their babies by the running shower or clothes washer can do the trick. You could also take a shower with her. If you do, make sure your water temperature is safe.
Massage: Some dads are shocked to find that all a baby needs to relax is a belly massage. Use a little warm baby lotion and rub in a clockwise motion around her belly button to fight off that renegade air bubble.
You might also consider experimenting with different forms of feeding and/or swaddling her as seen in our past post GoodFather Fridays post at Clever Parents “GoodFather’s 5 Step Swaddle Recipe“. As your doctor probably told you, no one really understands what causes colic so it can be difficult to treat. In the off chance the following ideas don’t immediately work, stay strong. One day soon, the colic days will be behind her…and then she’ll decide to start throwing things.
Your favorite family man,
The GoodFather
(meet the GoodFather at DrMOZ.com)
October 15th, 2007 at 9:32 am
My baby had terrible colic…she would cry cry cry cry….until I discovered Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water….it worked miracles.
You can find this wonderful natural product at
http://www.blissbymom.com/Products/Detail.aspx?product=gripe-water
October 15th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS: 1. I FOUND THAT LIGHTLY BOUNCING THE BABY
(IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE BABY HELD SECURLY AND CLOSE TO YOUR CHEST) AND LIGHTLY PATTING THE BABY ON THE LOWER BACK WILL PRODUCE A BURP AFTER FEEDING THAT WILL PREVENT COLIC, AND COMFORT THE CHILD.
2. MY CHILD HAD A HARD TIME ADJUSTING TO DAY AND NIGHT. FOR A TIME MY WIFE AND I WOULD TAKE TURNS LETTING THE BABIES LAY ON OUR CHEST UNTIL THEY FELL ASLEEP (THEY HEAR AND FEEL YOUR HEART BEAT, MUCH LIKE WHEN THEY ARE IN THE WOMB AND RELAX AND FALL ASLEEP VERY QUICKLY! Todd
October 15th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Great suggestions Todd and Pat! One issue regarding the Baby’s Bliss Gripe Water…make sure you view their recall information online for their Apple Flavored Gripe Water (coded 26952V; expiration date: October 2008). They recently had a voluntary recall which was initiated immediately after the FDA reported finding Cryptosporidium, a parasite that may cause intestinal infections. This was only in the Apple Flavored Baby’s Bliss Gripewater, but if you have this particular flavor matching the mentioned code please discontinue use immediately and call their toll-free hotline (877-457-4955).
Dr.MOZ