any suggestions to soothe a colicky baby?

Question

it's torturous to listen to him suffering all day and night without being able to help him, and I'm too tired to think straight anymore- any advice would be great, thanks.

Answer 1

My third (and last) child had colic. UGH........ that situation is just a nightmare. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to help this phenomenon. All you can do is what you are doing right now........... be patient, don't get frustrated with your son and hold him all of the time. Honestly, this is all that will comfort him. If it is at all possible, work out a night schedule with his dad. If he works a M-F schedule, possibly he can take care of your son Friday and Saturday nights (maybe even during those "days") so you can get some rest. Do know that this DOES END!!! My daughter finally out grew hers at 6ish months. While that may seem a lifetime away, at least it's light at the end of the tunnel.
Honestly, lost of holding is what will make him feel better.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It is very tough, I know. Please, enlist some help from your family, friends and/or neighbors. Don't try to do everything yourself. It is just too hard with a colicky baby. Have someone come by so you can get some solid sleep. That will help more than you can imagine.
Are you breastfeeding? Some babies are sensitive to what their mothers eat. Mine was sensitive to milk products. I eliminated all dairy for two weeks, then slowly added one thing at a time back in my diet over the course of several weeks. I was able to end up eating cheese and yoghurt, but I had to go easy on milk and ice cream.
You could also try the colic tablets by Hylands. You can find them in a natural food store or some supermarkets carry them. It is an homeopathic rememdy. The tablets dissolve right away, so there is no danger to your baby.
Talk to your baby's pediatrician. They may be able to give you some tips or tell you whether something else may be the culprit. Go with your gut. If you think something else may be wrong, don't ignore it! A mother has good instincts about her child.
I hope you find a solution. Good luck!

This article may help:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t051300.asp

Answer 3

first get yourself calm... colicky babies seem to be more sensitive to even the moods and emotions of their parents than other babies (who are already hyper sensitve)
I used to use the pumping of legs, bicycle fashion.. and both at the same time.. while baby is laying on back... I would sing silly songs and make faces.... sometimes it worked right away.. sometimes not... I rubbed the belly... where it was hardest massaging in circles to help the bubbles move thru.... on belly there is rubbing back... leaned over legs....
I keep mylicon on hand for the really bad bouts.... but usually the legs pumping (time consuming... but worth it) would get "things moving" they always seemed a little fussy still... but, I also breastfed... so if you do, remember the gassy foods and/or ones that can taste funny (the taste of garlic for instance) and cut those out... one at a time till you find the culrit... soaking in the tub before the pumping and singing.. and massaging tended to soothe (or maybe it was just distract) a little too.... and as soon as that little sleeps? I do not care one wit who wants dinner, a clean house? lay right there near baby and sleep! least till you are not so tired and drained.. what you are doing is emotionally draining more so pyshically remember.. so get rest when baby does!
hope this helps.... it is mainly a game of patience and tolerence.. and I know just how difficult that is... but we are mommy cause we can handle it.. just need to remember that from time to time.... :)
good luck god bless

Answer 4

My suggestions depend on whether or not you are breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding I would investigate over-supply and overactive let down. It could just be a matter of your baby getting too much "foremilk" and overloading on lactose, and not getting enough of the "hindmilk". This is easy to remedy by "block nursing" or nursing on one side every few feedings or so.

I would also consider acid reflux. Before trying medications I would try keeping your baby upright during and after feedings as much as possible. I would trying "wearing your baby" in a sling or other baby carrier as much as possible, for reflux and even if it is not. It greatly reduces crying.

You could also consider baby yoga like Itsy Bitsy Yoga. You could try The Happiest Baby on the Block techniques.

My most unusual suggestion would be to consider trying Elimination Communication (also known as Infant Potty Training, Natural Infant Hygiene, Potty Whispering etc). This has helped many babies' "unexplained" crying and colic.

I hope you have plenty of support! I know from experience how frustrating this can be. I have tried all of the things I mentioned above and had success. Good luck!

Answer 5

Hello. I know I am going to catch all heck for my answer but it makes sense...babies don't cry for that long, that strong for no reason. I don't believe in colic, nor do many doctors. Colic is a name that doctors give when they don't know what is wrong....I think it is your job as a mother to keep going until you find out what is wrong with your baby...My pediatrician said that my son had colic and that was all. I knew there was more to it so I kept going. The day we finally got some relief was when I went to his doctor and said "I'm not leaving until you tell me what is wrong with my baby and how we can fix it." The doctor witnessed with his own eyes how badly my son cried for 1 1/2 hours and finally agreed there was something wrong. As it turns out he did have acid reflux and we were given Prevacid and Zantac...I know that it's not the best thing to medicate a baby but sometimes that's what it takes. We also had to switch to Alimentum formula (the Enfamil brand is Nutramigen). About 3 weeks after everything was in place, we finally had a happy baby...the baby that we knew all along was in there, just in pain, expressing it the only way he knew how. Good luck, I hope you pursue this. :)

Answer 6

"Colicky" is the Doctors word for " I don't know what's wrong"
He is either hungry, poopy, or scared. The best way to sooth a scared baby is to make him feel like he is safe in the woom. Swadle him up tight and lay him on his side. Shuuuush him to sound like the blood flow inside your body. Bounce him a little or pat his back like a heart beat.

Good luck

Answer 7

My first child had the same problem. I actually found him some relief in a "herb" store called Mother Natures Emporium. They have a supplement that you give just a little bit to them and it seemed to hush him quite well. It was excatly for colic. Other than that, I played quiet music and had a fan on in his room. Most important - stay calm yourself. If he senses that you are getting uptight about it, this will make him more uncomfortable. Take a deep breath, he will get over it soon.

Answer 8

I know this is going to sound off the wall but I am sure you are going to get a ton of answers about warming up his belly, what bottles to use, music to play for his etc. so I wanted to give you a different option: Take him to a chiropractor. Seriously, my chiro says she can cure most colicky babies by doing a slight adjustment. My son was never fussy so I can't say if she is right or not but its worth a try.

Answer 9

Try the Dr. It could be that your baby has acid reflux. It can be fairly common in little ones. The doctor can give him a prescription, if that is what it is. If it is not acid reflux, try swaddling him in a blanket, giving him a pacifier and gently rock him. Most of all, take heart as it won't last forever. If you have done the cuddles, feeding, diaper, made sure he's not cold or overheated, made sure he's not sick, and he still cries- it's ok to let him cry.

Answer 10

The only thing that quieted my colicky daughter was playing scottish CD's (yes, bagpipes and drums!) She loved the sound and absolutely loves music today. Be patient and don't worry, it WILL end. Colicky children are often very well behaved toddlers & adolescents.