Let’s face it: taking care of babies and children has always been known for being one of the most stressful parts of being an adult and a parent. Not only will many parents have to wake up in the middle of the night to soothe and comfort their baby, but some first-time parents are left baffled by why their child is crying. Since babies are not yet sufficiently developed to the point that they can start communicating with others and relaying their needs and wants to their parents, deciphering and anticipating what they need and want can be a challenge.
This can be even more difficult for some parents when the baby is suffering from a condition known as colic. Not only will this make it harder for babies to settle down and become comfortable, but this can also be a great deal of stress for many parents.
So what is colic? How do you effectively soothe a colic baby? We’ll be answering some important questions so that you, and your baby, can sleep soundly at night.
What is Colic?
But before we discuss some ways of treating colic, we’ll need first to understand what colic is in the first place. Many parents and adults are still confused about whether their baby might just be crying normally or colic.
Here are some symptoms that you’ll need to consider in this situation:
- High-pitched crying that’s known for being more intense than normal crying. This usually means that the baby is in pain.
- It’s harder to soothe these babies. In some situations, they will cry for no apparent reason.
- There’s a certain time frame when they start crying. This will usually happen during the early parts of the evening.
- There will be situations where they will be even more irritable, even after they have finished crying.
- There’s bound to be pale skin around the mouth as if it’s dry and reddening around the face area.
Some of these symptoms are a bit more subtle than usual, and it’s difficult to say if a baby has colic or not. If you’re not quite sure about this situation, you might want to consider getting help from a baby’s pediatrician to confirm health complications.
But other than getting professional help, what are some home remedies that you can do yourself?
Swaddling Your Baby
First and foremost, one of the most important ways of soothing your baby’s needs is by directly comforting them. Compared to most adults, babies don’t have the same capabilities in retaining heat and can easily become uncomfortable.
To ensure that they are given maximum comfort and a good sense of security, you might want to consider swaddling your child in thick and comfortable fabric. Fortunately, you won’t have to look far since many high-quality, comfortable infant hooded towels are known for maximizing comfort, retaining hit, and mimicking a mother’s warm hug. Not only will this keep your baby comfortable, but this can free up parents to do more important daily tasks.
Changing Up Their Diet
Another reason why some babies are experiencing colic is that they might be experiencing indigestion. If this is the case, you’ll need to follow a strict feeding schedule to ensure that your baby does not become hungry during the late hours of the night.
It’s also important to note that breastfeeding is not necessarily the most optimal choice in this matter. Some irritants are found in breastmilk. To ensure that your baby is in good condition, you’ll need to avoid certain foods that might cause allergic reactions, such as nuts, eggs, and certain types of seafood.
Holding Your Baby
Last but not least, one of the most important parts of soothing your baby is by giving them a more personal touch when it comes to comfort. Although it might sound a bit cliche and probably one of the most low-effort solutions out there, holding and comforting your baby directly is known for being one of the most effective means of soothing a baby when it’s crying. Not only does this help relieve hypersensitivity, but this is also a great way of tuning out their surroundings.
Parents will play white noise in some situations, like vacuum playing in the background or putting a radio on in a low volume to get the baby back to sleep.
Taking care of a baby can be a momentous task for any parent. Not only will you need to be aware of your baby’s health, but you’ll need to ensure that they are comfortable with their situation. If you suspect that there’s a change in your baby’s behavior and they have symptoms of colic, it’s best to seek medical advice and help as soon as possible. Each baby is unique in its own way, and you’ll need to ensure that they are given the right formula of milk and food.
