One of the problems that most first-time parents have to face is handling babies with colic. Colic is defined as an attack of crying accompanied by abdominal pain for early infants. It affects about 20% of babies during their first few months.
Here are some ways to make a taking care of a colicky baby a breeze:
- If your baby is bottle-fed, you might want to make sure that he is not swallowing too much air. If, on the other hand, you are breastfeeding, make sure that your baby is able to latch on to your nipples securely.
- Burp him often. Colic is usually caused by air getting trapped inside your baby’s tummy. By burping him or her often, you are helping him release any trapped air.
- If your baby still has colic even after you have burped him, you might want to try massaging his or her tummy. What you have to do is place your baby on your knees with his tummy down and begin rubbing his back.
- Exercising your baby can also help relieve colic. You can have him or her do the bicycle.
- Placing a warm water bottle on your baby’s tummy can also help ease his or her colic. Be careful, however, as what feels warm to your touch may actually be too hot for your baby.
- Put your baby at ease by letting him or her listen to soothing music as well as to white noise. The latter usually mimics the regular hum that they are used when they were still inside your womb.
- Bathing your baby with warm water can also help ease his or her colic. The rhythmic beating of the water can take their minds off their discomfort.
- Swaddling your baby can help give him the assurance and security that he used to have when he was still inside your womb. This could help him get to sleep faster as well as give him the feeling of being in control. Simply Unique Baby Gifts has a good line of swaddling cloths that you might want to try.
