A baby that cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week for a period of at least three consecutive weeks could have a condition known as colic. Although colic usually disappears on its own around the time the baby reaches 3 months old, many parents with a colicky infant look for ways to control the severity of the colic in the meantime.
Step 1
Anticipate the baby's needs to prevent unnecessary crying. Feed your baby regularly and change her diaper often. Make sure she is appropriately dressed, and neither too hot or too cold.
Step 2
Encourage your baby to eat more often. This usually will result in your baby consuming less breastmilk or formula at each feeding, which makes it easier for her body to digest the food properly, the Ask Dr. Sears website notes.
Step 3
Keep your baby upright, especially during and after eating. This helps to prevent the breastmilk or formula from coming back up into her esophagus, which often causes heartburn.
Step 4
Burp your baby after she eats. This prevents air bubbles from turning into painful gas, and also helps prevent reflux.
Step 5
Hold your baby. The more often a baby is held, the less often she may cry. Even holding your baby when he is not crying may prove beneficial.
Step 6
Swaddle your baby in blankets when she is crying. Newborns often feel soothed by being tightly bundled. A baby sling may also work.
Step 7
Let your baby suck on a pacifier. Like swaddling, newborns are often comforted by this act.
Step 8
Create white noise for your baby. You can use a white noise machine, or simply turn on a hairdryer, a vacuum or anything that makes a similarly steady sound.
Step 9
Let your baby feel movement. Allow her to ride in a baby swing, take her for a walk around the neighborhood in a stroller or go for a car ride. These movements often soothe colicky infants.
Step 10
Change the environment. Taking the baby to play outside, giving her a bath or going to visit a friend can sometimes distract the baby from colicky crying.
Step 11
Ask for help. If you have multiple measures to soothe your colicky baby and he will not stop crying, call a pediatrician for advice.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are formula-feeding your infant, switching to a different type of formula may also help your baby's colic. If you are breastfeeding, modifying your own diet may also help. Ask your baby's pediatrician if these dietary changes would benefit your baby. Each baby will have its own response to soothing techniques. What works for one colicky infant may not work for another, and it may take a trial-and-error approach to determine what works best for your infant.
- Call a family member or friend for support, or even to babysit, whenever the stress of dealing with your colicky infant seems like too much. If you ever have thoughts of hurting your baby, call 911 immediately.
