How to Soothe Colicky Babies

It’s normal for newborns to cry and fuss. But when a healthy, well-fed infant cries for longer than three hours a day, more than three days a week, a pediatrician may say that the baby has colic. 

What is a Colicky Baby?

A colicky baby will have episodes of intense, high-pitched crying, often at the same time every day, for no obvious reason. Colic can begin a few weeks after birth, reaching its peak between the baby’s fourth and sixth week. Colic is not harmful, and babies will typically outgrow it by the time they are four months old. 

How Long Does a Colicky Baby Last?

A colicky baby’s cries will typically last for more than 3 hours a day. Colic usually goes away on its own by the time a baby turns 4 months.

But while colic is not dangerous, it is extremely frustrating for parents. You don’t want your baby to be in discomfort and screaming in pain. Equally frustrating is that health care professionals aren’t exactly sure what causes colic, which makes it challenging to treat. If you’re a parent trying to ease a colicky baby, here are some traditional colic remedies, as well as some novel new ideas that will teach you how to help a colicky baby. 

Minimize Gas

While the cause of colic is unknown, some people believe gas plays a role. Burp your baby and see if that helps. If you are nursing, you may want to ask your doctor if there are any gas-producing foods you should be avoiding that could contribute to the issues. Some other ideas that can help with gas in order to soothe a colicky baby include:

Avoid Shaking The Formula Bottle 

Do you shake your baby’s bottle to break up formula clumps and mix the contents? You could be creating air bubbles that will end up in your baby’s belly. One product that can help minimize air bubbles — and save you a lot of time preparing bottles too — is the One Step Formula Mixing Pitcher . It has a unique mixing wand that mixes easily without air bubbles or clumping with one press of a button!

Avoid Overfeeding

Overfeeding can make a baby feel very uncomfortable. With products like Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced Baby Formula Dispenser with automated mixing technology that instantly mixes, heats and dispenses formula or water, you can easily keep track of exactly how much you are feeding your colicky baby throughout the day.

Use Anti-Colic Bottles

Yes, there are bottles designed specifically to help prevent colic! The secret to these bottles is an anti-colic vent system built into each wide, breast-like nipple, which ensures your baby swallows milk, not air, helping to prevent gas. The benefits don’t stop there. These bottles have a unique two-piece design that can save up to 10 hours per year in cleaning and assembly. 

Calm Your Colicky Baby Naturally 

Colicky babies are sometimes overstimulated by bright lights and loud sounds. Try the following to calm your baby:

• Swaddling
• Rocking 
• Laying your baby tummy down (baby should be awake) and rubbing his or her back — always supervise tummy time 
• Keeping baby in a quiet and dimly lit room
• Giving baby a pacifier
• Taking a car ride
• Using a white noise machine

While managing colic is challenging and your patience may be wearing thin, the good news is that it is not a serious health condition, and it is temporary. Cuddle and hold your baby as much as possible and as always, check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns. 

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or other medical issues. Please consult your doctor to determine what is appropriate for your baby.