Is your baby healthy, well-fed, and wearing a clean diaper, yet still crying long hours for what seems to be no apparent reason? Well, you might have a colicky baby in hand.
According to WebMD.com, colic is when an infant who isn’t sick or hungry cries for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks. Although the condition is a bit of a mystery, with no concrete conclusion, experts agree on a few things:
- Colic is likely to start around 2 weeks of age if your infant is full-term, or later if they were born prematurely.
- It almost always goes away on its own by 3 or 4 months of age.
- It can happen regardless of your baby’s sex, their birth order, and whether you breast- or bottle feed.
- Kids who had colic grow up no differently from those who didn’t.
Why it occurs
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes colic. Some experts believe that it may be due to neurological immaturity or acclimation to the world outside the womb, which can make some babies irritable for a short time span. Other possible contributing factors that have been explored include:
- Pain or discomfort from gas or indigestion
- A digestive system that isn’t fully developed
- Overfeeding or underfeeding
- Overstimulation
- Early form of childhood migraine headache
- Emotional reaction to fear, frustration, or excitement
Remedies for Colicky Babies
Since the causes for colic can vary, there are no proven treatments for colic. However, you may be able to comfort your baby and shorten crying episodes with these simple remedies. Try them out and see what works for you.
1. Lay Them On Their Tummy
Lay your baby on their tummy, across your arm, stomach or lap while rubbing your baby’s back. This can be soothing and may also help gas to pass through. Tummy time can also help your baby build stronger neck and shoulder muscles. Remember to only put your baby on their tummy while they’re awake and under supervision.
2. Try the Pedalling Exercise
The Pedalling Exercise is a simple but effective exercise. To try this exercise, place your baby on her back. Hold her ankles carefully together and gently push one leg at a time towards her tummy. Hold each leg near the tummy for a few seconds. Repeat the pedalling exercise for a few minutes. If your baby resists this exercise, stop it immediately.
3. Massage Your Baby
Massaging the babies with essential oils like almond and coconut oils can calm babies and also stimulate digestion. Take some oil on your palm and gently massage their tummy in a clockwise directions well as their calves.
4. Give a Warm Bath
Giving a warm bath is a natural remedy for colic in babies, and has been practised for centuries. Warm water helps to relax the body and relieve discomfort. You can also gently massage your baby’s abdomen while bathing her.
5. Change Your Baby’s Feeding Bottle
If you’re bottle feeding your baby, it’s important to know that excess air can accidentally sneak in as your baby suckles on the bottle, which then causes discomfort. Try changing your baby’s feeding bottle to one that is specially designed to minimise the consumption of air.
Hegen, which recently won the Best Anti-Colic Bottle award in the Parents’ Choice Awards 2022 is designed to promote upright feeding – a position similar to when babies are nursed to prevent excessive air swallowing during feeding and to reduce the risk of milk back-flow that causes mid-ear complications and colic.
The smart built-in anti-colic air vent system allows the air to bypass the milk to prevent aeration, minimising formation of air bubbles and reducing unwanted air intake. This will also help in minimising oxidation of precious nutrients, safeguarding your little one from an upset tummy.
For more information about Hegen and their revolutionary, practical and multi-functional bottle and accessories, head on to hegenmalaysia.com.
