Stay in motion. Gentle movement can be very effective. Try rocking,
putting your baby in an infant swing, taking a walk, or going for a drive. Or
place the baby belly-down on your knees and sway them slowly back and forth.
Try a warm bath. Bathe your baby, either by itself or with you. Try
using one of the aromatherapy “bedtime bath” baby wash products.
Assist nature. Sometimes the problem can be constipation or trapped
gas. You can remedy this in several ways. Give your baby a dose of simethicone
drops, better known under brand names such as Mylicon; these drops are designed
to relieve gas and are generally safe to use with every feeding (although as
with any medication, consult your child’s pediatrician before use). You can
also gently massage your baby’s tummy in a clockwise circular motion. Another
way to stimulate the passing of a stool is to take the baby’s temperature
rectally; this method, although decidedly unpleasant for both parties, is
recommended instead of an enema.
Turn on some background noise. The sound of a fan, a washer or
dryer, a fish tank, even a vacuum cleaner can work wonders for a colicky baby.
Any sort of noise at a low, steady volume will help. If you’re rocking your
baby, try saying “Shhh …” over and over. Or put on a CD of nature noises, such
as a babbling brook or gentle rainstorm. One word of caution: placing your baby
in an infant seat next to a washer or dryer may help, but be sure not to put
the seat on the actual appliances; it may vibrate right off onto the
floor.
Change the way your baby eats. There are many bottles on the market
today specially designed to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in at each
feeding, thereby reducing gas. Experiment with differently shaped nipples or
different types of bottle. If your baby is breastfed, sometimes changes in your
diet can help. Avoid spicy foods; cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli,
cauliflower and cabbage; caffeine, and cow’s milk (you can gradually
reintroduce these foods once you find the culprit, if your diet is indeed the
problem). Try holding your baby more upright while feeding her, feeding more
slowly, and giving her more of an opportunity to burp during and afterward.
There is a common old wives’ tale that says giving your baby rice cereal in her
bottle will ease colic, but in reality, it probably won’t help.
Use caution with homeopathic remedies. Although it’s tempting to
try anything and everything to relieve your baby’s colic, do extensive research
before attempting any alternative treatments. Many parents swear by herbal teas
acupuncture, and other such treatments, but these have not been studied
extensively enough to prove helpful or, most importantly, safe. For example,
star anise tea has been traditionally used in the treatment of colic, but the
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has issued a warning against it; the tea
contains low levels of a toxic compound called veranisatin that can cause
neurological symptoms such as seizures and vomiting.