After staying in the mother's womb for nearly nine months, The newborn finally comes out into the world. it's a challenging job for both the parents as the baby will start crying daily for more than three hours making the parents uncomfortable without getting them much rest.
What Causes Colic ?
This prolonged excessive crying of newborns is referred to as Colic by doctors. Till Now, Researchers are unable to pinpoint the reason why this happens. Various theories are explaining this.
The first theory is that the baby ingests air during breastfeeding and the other one says when the infant drinks too fast, it leads to gastrointestinal pain.
Others say that colic can be a consequence of some environmental factors like specific milk formulas and cow’s milk for some infants.
It is also possible that the food consumed by the mother is the cause, while some claim that the baby's newborn's immune system is not yet able to adapt to life outside the womb, despite what the cause is, this is considered very common among newborns children by doctors. so there is nothing to worry about as it will gradually vanish in the coming few months.
This should be considered as the first step by the parents in nurturing and caring for a child. its believed by some that if this did not occur, the period of adoption will be more challenging.
Excessive crying of infants without any reason is one of the common symptoms of colic. Abdominal pain in early infancy preassumed as colic is experienced in one out of ten babies as per the statistics, Usually, colic attacks are evident before, during, and after each meal. The cry usually starts and can continue for 3 hours and more. Apart from excessive and loud crying, Body contractions and irritability are also visible signs of colic.
Other signs of colic include:
Vigorous and excessive crying for long periods despite extreme efforts of consolation
Onset crying that starts around the same time every day or night and can be ending or endless
Suffers from gas discomfort
Slight bloating of the abdomen
Has a hard and bloated stomach
Unexpected patterned body contortions like pulling of knees to the chest
Hard-clenched fists
Flailing arms and legs
Arched back
Frequent sleeplessness
Chronic irritability
Unreasonable fussiness
Reddening face due to long periods of crying
Excessive belching or spitting up after feeding
Passing gas
Experience difficulty in passing stools
This list includes only the usual signs of colic. It is best to visit a doctor once you see these symptoms in your baby, so you can be sure that the little one is not experiencing genuine illness as early as now.
Ideas to Comfort Colic Baby
There is a single solution to take care of a colic baby. At times, this concept will work, and sometimes it doesn't. Here are few ideas that parents can try on the child.
Getting the infant out of the crib and hold him, and swinging him in arms can soothe the child. Singing a song is helpful, it may help the baby to fall asleep once again.
After breastfeeding making the baby burp can also prevent the newborn from waking up.
Breastfeed the baby as he would be hungry. Still, if the infant is full and the arms are sore from carrying, Take a ride in the car or the carriage can make it go away.
The baby's can wake up and even cry to noises as they are very delicate. It can be prevented by not making loud sounds. Playing a piece of classical music can help make the newborn get enough rest.
A warm bath can also help the infant to stop crying. As the newborn skin is sensitive, parents should check it is not too hot before the shower.
Giving a pacifier to the infant is never too late. The baby will think that it is sucking onto the mother's breast though it will not be his feeding time.
The parents can also try using Simethicone drops as Colic is associated with gas pains, it has proved to help make the newborn stop crying.
Last one, some changes should be done, by the mother in her diet. Because the food consumed by her may produce gas, which may pass to the child in the form of milk.
There is nothing serious as Colic is not classified as a form of the disease or a disorder.it is one of the growing phases of becoming a parent till the infant can stand and speak for himself. The couple who decide to have a family has to face many challenges, This is just one of many challenges.
Old Home Remedies for Colic
It is better to take the baby to the doctor and get examined, but if you think the baby is experiencing simple colic. Here are few remedies to relieve the discomfort of a baby caused by colic at your home.
Massages :
Massages are known to give comfort and relaxation throughout the ages, Try giving your baby a massage, it may help to reduce the level of discomfort from colic, There are many colic relief techniques available on the internet and many books available in bookstores. The massage technique is simple movements in these series that are easy to learn and apply. Although these techniques do not directly treat the major cause of colic, they can help a lot to comfort the child by reducing the level of pain, the baby experiences.
If the massage is rightly done, Gas will be released, as the massage helps stimulate regular bowel movement and reduces cramping that causes enormous pain.
Herbal Tea :
Herbal tea can be considered a simple solution to colic. Though there are blazing wonders of herbal medicines, it is not yet realized by more parents, that simple colic can be treated by herbal medicine. giving four ounces of herbal tea to infants on daily basis can ease the discomfort and pain caused by colic.
You may increase the intake of herbal tea for your baby with the doctor's approval, here are the best herbs for colic by the parent who used herbal tea as a simple colic remedy also includes peppermint, ginger, chamomile, and catnip.
Mostly, the herbs are safe for babies but make sure, It is not replaced instead of baby food, Otherwise, it will lead to malnutrition.
Burping :
Burping is one of the simple processes for colic overlooked in home remedies, Letting your child burp before, burp after, and during feeding will reduce more air going into the infant's intestines and stomach, as per the experts, Give a break after every five minutes of feeding, Make your baby burp for a minute or two and proceed with the feeding, Baby may reject it at first as it will disrupt his feeding, but parents have to continue doing this on daily basis. As it is one of the best home remedies for colic.
Warming the Tummy :
If A baby is crying from colic, give him a warm water bottle or warming device that may comfort the baby. Put a warm water bottle or the warming device on the tummy of the baby, It will help reduces cramps and relax the intestines, You can also try giving your baby a warm bath, If baby like bathing.
Catnip :
Try the magic of catnip. To ease the pain and discomfort caused by colic, put 1/4 cup of catnip in a kettle of boiling water, strain it using a cheesecloth or a fine strainer. Make it cool and give it to your baby. If the baby shows signs of dislike due to the taste, you can add a little sugar.
Vacuum Cleaner :
Sometimes when the baby starts crying due to colic, turn on the vacuum cleaner, you will see that the baby's attention shifted to the sound of the vacuum cleaner instead of her stomach pain.
Fennel Seeds :
Fennel seeds boiled and easy to dilute are good for cramps, digestion, and stomachaches.
Onion :
Put a thick slice of boiled onion with water in an older sterilized bottle and give it to the baby to drink.
Tea Spoon :
Give breast milk or formulae by putting it in a teaspoon and feed it to your baby. It will maximize the benefits and reduce colic.
Castor Oil :
Rub some castor oil over the tummy of the baby to soothe his pain.
These are all some tips and tricks to comfort the colic pain of the baby, How ever it is advised to consult the doctor to know the exact reason.
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