How to Pick the Perfect Stroller For Your Baby

 

5 Effective Ways to Soothe a Baby Colic

Baby colic is that phase when your baby cries excessively, non-stop and without any apparent reason. It is not clear why some babies suffer from colic; the reasons might be different for every baby.

However, researchers have found that these symptoms usually occur during the second or third week after birth. The crying of a baby during this phase can be stressful for parents as well.

The first few months after giving birth are the most challenging time for any parent. Preparing yourself beforehand with all the information you need to know about taking care of your newborn will help you in handling the stress of those first few days and weeks as a new parent.

If you too are struggling with your fussy infant because of Colic, read on to discover 5 effective ways to soothe a baby colic.

Give Your Baby a Shower

This might sound like a strange suggestion, but some babies find being in the shower very soothing.

The sound of the water as it flows down the skin and the humid environment can be very helpful in reducing your baby's colic.

If your baby is also suffering from eczema, allergies or any other skin condition, you should avoid taking him/her under running water.

However, low-pressure water can be used to create a humid environment that can help your baby feel comfortable. Also, certain babies have sensitive skin and the warm water might irritate their skin. For such babies, you can try taking a cold shower.

It might sound strange, but babies with sensitive skin often find cold water to be soothing. This can be especially helpful if your baby also has colic.

Hold-and-Connect

Infants feel secure when held close to their parents. If you are suffering from colic, try holding the baby close to your chest so that he/she can hear your heartbeat.

Your heartbeat will help your baby release stress and calm down. Holding your baby close to your body and skin can also be helpful in soothing a baby with colic.

To do this, you can use a shawl, a blanket or a cloth to wrap up your baby. Babies who are wrapped up this way usually calm down and drift off to sleep.

If your baby is in the colic phase, you can try giving her a warm bath followed by being wrapped up to help her feel more relaxed.

In fact, wrapping your baby in a shawl or blanket can be very helpful in many situations. For example, a colicky baby can be calmed by being wrapped up in a shawl while you are trying to manage his/her crying.

Play Music

A study has shown that playing music can reduce the crying of infants with colic by almost 50%. You don't need to play classical music or anything else to calm your baby down; even the sound of your voice can help soothe a baby with colic.

Try talking to your baby in a low, soothing voice. Make sure you talk to your baby in a language that he/she understands. If you speak a different language from the language your baby is used to hearing, the talking will help keep him/her distracted and relaxed.

If you are surrounding yourself with the sound of the rain, or any other gentle and soothing natural sound, it can also help in soothing your fussy infant. Although, you can try a variety of sounds to see which one is more effective in helping your baby relax.

Swaddling

Babies who are swaddled usually calm down because of the feeling of being held that they associate with being in the womb. Swaddling your baby while he/she is in the colic phase can help in reducing their crying and fussiness.

There are many ways in which you can swaddle your baby. If you are doing the traditional way, you can make a firm knot above your baby's feet and tuck in the rest of the cloth so that your baby's hands are at his side and his legs are tight against his body.

If you want to try a different way, there are special blankets that you can use to swaddle your baby.

The best part of swaddling is that it can be used as a sleep aid. Many babies take a while to learn how to fall asleep on their own. If your baby is in this phase, try swaddling him/her in a blanket and he/she is sure to go to sleep.

Try Gentle Movement

Try gently rocking your baby in your arms; it can be a very effective way to soothe a baby with colic. The rocking motion can help calm your baby down and make him/her drowsy so that he/she can fall asleep.

If your baby likes being held close to you, you can also try pacing around with him/her in your arms. This can be helpful in reducing the symptoms of colic. If you are standing while pacing, try swaying your body as you move to provide your baby with the rocking motion he/she might need. The movements can also be helpful in reducing your own stress.

Use Essential Oils

Certain essential oils can help in soothing a baby with colic. You can try massaging your baby's back with a few drops of one of these essential oils: lavender, geranium, clary sage, ylang ylang, cedarwood, and rosewood.

You can also try adding some drops of these oils in your baby's bath water. If you are using a carrier oil like coconut oil, make sure it is fragrance-free. Also, keep in mind that babies less than 6 months old should not be exposed to essential oils directly.

You can add a few drops of the essential oil to your baby's bath water. You can also try using a diffuser to make the room smell nice with the help of essential oils.

Babies are supposed to cry a lot especially in the first few months. It is nothing to worry about since crying is a way of letting off steam. However, it can be very frustrating for parents as well.

If your baby is crying non-stop, it is important to understand the reasons behind it. If your baby is experiencing colic, try using any of the above-mentioned ways to soothe a baby colic.

You can also try doing these things while your baby is in the womb. Babies respond to sounds, smells, and movements even while they are still in the womb.

Try to reduce your stress levels as well because high levels of stress can affect your baby as well.

With a little patience, and these 5 effective ways to soothe a baby colic, you can make your baby's fussy phase much less stressful for you both.