Any suggestions on how to calm/help a colicky baby?

Question

My daughter is 2 months old, almost 3. We took her to the doctor the other day and they said she has "severe colic". Instead of it starting at around 5 or 6, she starts at around 1 in the afternoon. I've tried rocking her, bouncing her in arms/on my legs, tried the vacuum, tried a car ride, the washer, a swing, a bath, breast feeding, bottle feeding with breast milk and/or formula. The only thing that calms her down is walking around with her. But that only lasts about 10 minutes and she's screaming all over again. I'm lost, stressed and exhausted. I just want to help my little girl. Anyone have any suggestions?

i breast feed her the most. i only give her formula if she absolutely refuses the breast. also she is almost 3 months and just now started with the colic. and i don't have any friends, literally. and all my family lives too far away, as in 5 hours away. but i am going to try all the suggestions given to me that i haven't already done. thanks ahead of time.

Answer 1

A couple things you should know:

1. Colic peaks at about 6-8 weeks of age then gets better after that, so you should start to see a light at the end of the tunnel any day now. She should outgrow it in no more than another month or so.

2. We don't really know what causes colic, but although the babies look sometimes like they are in pain, it is NOT a painful condition.

3. Formula changes rarely work, and babies who are breastfed cry less than bottle fed babies.

4. TAKE A BREAK. If there is anyone that you trust to take care of the baby so you can get away for a few hours every now and then, it will be well worth it.

5. Try to stay calm. Babies pick up on stress cues and this can make things worse.

You obviously have done your research. White noise (vacuum cleaner, tv or radio static), and motion (swings, car rides) have been shown to be the most effective interventions.

Gripe water does appear to help some babies, though sometimes i think it is just because it has a different taste and distracts them, because some people say the relief is only temporary. It appears to be safe and may be worth a shot. bundling (aka swaddling) can help some kids but dont wrap the baby in heavy blankets that can cause overheating, and don't put them to bed swaddled. Mylicon drops almost never work, but they are also a safe medicine to try if you want.

Just hang in there, take a break once in a while, and remember - this will all be a memory in a few more weeks.

Answer 2

Dealing with a colicky baby is so tough. Especially when they have extreme cases of colic. The thing is there is only so much you can do to help your little angel. And I am sure you and her both are exhausted.
Wrap her up nice and tight (swaddle) her and carry her around gently bouncing her. When you can not do that anymore keep her swaddled and try laying her propped on her left side. Do not put her on her stomach or do it in an unsafe way but this will be a comfortable position for her (or should be) and it will give you a break. Even if she is crying still at least you will get a minute or two out of the room and into quiet which I am sure you need!
Also try the vibrating bouncy chairs. They work with some children!
And the calming swings. They have some great new ones out!!!
Try to get help during the day so you are not alone to lose your mind. Even if it means hiring a local teenager to help you while you are still at home. You do not have to go out just have an extra helping hand.
They make the Mylicon drops which help some babies. And other things too. But she is so young do not give her anything without talking to your doctor first!!!

Good luck!

Answer 3

If you are nursing your baby, it could be caused by a fast let down reflex, that when the baby begins to nurse, your milk comes out very fast ,causing a spraying type of action. If this could be the cause , when you start to nurse, you can try to pull the baby away from the breast and let some of the milk drain into a towel. The baby won't like waiting, but it should help so the baby doesn't get too much milk and air too quickly. Also, be careful of foods that can cause excess gas, like beans,cabbage, broccoli,etc. Also, try to make sure you are getting the burps out after feeding. One burping method helped me tremendously. You can try it , I think it will help. Lay the baby on a flat firm surface on it's right side, then gently, but firmly pat the back for about 30 seconds, this helps to bring air to the top of the stomach, then lift baby up and burp as you normally would. This should help, but remember the baby must be on it's right side when patting the back( this is the way of digestion). My other suggestions are to bring the baby outside for some fresh air, take a walk, it will make you feel better too. Also, Mylicon drops help to relieve gas( you can purchase at most drug stores) Some babies digestive systems just need a bit more time to mature, this could also be the case. Last of all, be patient, and know this too will pass. Hang in there, I know it isn't easy, But I can tell by your question that you want what is best for your little girl.

Answer 4

The doctors told me my son had severe colic as well. He was exactly the same way. Nothing helped him. I figured out, on my own, when he was almost a year old that he was just lactose intolerant.

Buy a small package of lactose free formula (I think the Enfamil one is called Nutramigen) and give it a try. If I would have had any idea that my son was just having issues digesting milk products, I could have saved him a lot of discomfort and pain- and myself and my husband a TON of stress. (you know about the stress part for sure!)

This may not be your daughter's problem but it's worth a shot, I guess the main thing that I would say is don't give up on trying to find a definitive answer. Colic is vague, and it is a label often put on babies who cry a lot by doctors without any thought to what is REALLY making them cry.

Best of Luck!

Answer 5

My little girl was colicky when she was a baby, around that age too. It wasn't severe, at least it wasn't diagnosed as severe colic, but she would cry for hours. We tried lots of different ways, but nothing worked. I would get so frustrated and start crying. My husband kept telling me to go to the other room while he took over the baby. That way, I wouldn't get too frustrated and would get a break at the same time. Sometimes, no matter what you do, nothing ever works. The best way would be to just take turns and let the baby cry. Colic doesn't last forever. By the 4th month, my baby stopped being colicky and I just forgot about it. So have hope, and don't drive yourself to exhaustion looking for a way. Make sure you have other people who can come and take turns with you to help you get a break. The last thing you need right now is to get sick yourself and have a colicky baby. Sometimes, babies just come that way and it has nothing to do with you or the way you take care of your baby. I used to think that I was at fault, but it wasn't my fault and it took me awhile to realize that my baby just came that way. Now she's 2, and colic was a thing of the past.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 6

My youngest had colic so I know what your going through. Hugs.
I was breastfeeding her, so I decided to cut out all dairy products and citrus. I also bought colic drops from the health food store. Within a few days I noticed a huge change in her. Alot of the time it's what the mother is eating that gives the baby colic. This is my opinion anyways.

Hang in there it will get better, I now have a very happy 17month old that hardly ever cries:)

Answer 7

My daughter was the same way. The very best thing you can do for your daughter's well being is to find somebody to give her mother a break. You need time AWAY from her.

She will eventually grow out of it and it does not result in any harm and there is nothing you can do to alleviate the condition. People who's babies were not colic will never understand, but all of us who are colic veterans know you are not a bad parent for taking 24 hours to get the rest and quiet you need to get back in there.

Answer 8

In the UK we use gripe water and a new product called Colief which breaks down undigested lactose in the (bottled) milk. They both sort of work although we still have a lot of wind we do not get any more of the screaming pain that you get.

Also mind the baby in shifts so that you and your partner get a break. Hope all goes well. By all accounts colic cures itself by 3-4 months.

Answer 9

My son had colic for 5months. Only thing that calmed him was one of the vibrating bouncy seat things. Also, try lying her on her back and working her legs "bicycle" like, it helps them pass gas better. Congrats on the baby, good luck, and remember, it won't last forever!

Answer 10

How about a warm bath and a massage, making sure to rub her tummy and pump her legs a little.
Maybe give a dad or gramps a try, the deeb baritone might help.