Treatment / What you should do
You should contact your doctor if your child cries for long periods of time and you don't know why.
The doctor or nurse will be able to help you decide whether colic is the most likely reason for the crying episodes, or whether there might be something else wrong.
Also, contact the doctor if the child seems ill in any other way, has a poor appetite or is not gaining weight properly. This may indicate that the child has a medical problem rather than colic.
Babies with colic can be a great challenge for their parents. Do not be afraid to ask your family and friends for help and support, if possible.
Comfort yourself with the fact that colic does go away over time, and that colicky babies develop normally in all respects.
While there is no single approach that lessens colic symptoms in all babies, there are some things that seem to help many children with colic.
Sometimes simply calming the child by rubbing the back or tummy can be helpful.
Other colicky babies may stop crying when soothed by singing, music, or more monotonous sounds such as the sound of a washing machine or vacuum cleaner.
Some children are calmed by a ride in a stroller, infant swing, or car; others like to be swaddled in a blanket. A warm bath relaxes some babies. Give your child more physical contact with you by carrying the baby more, using a sling or infant carrier, or with infant massage. Ask your baby's doctor whether infant massage classes are offered in your area. But try not to over-stimulate your baby with massage, since we don't want him to become more unsettled as a result.
Some children seem to have a very strong urge to suck, even when they are not hungry. Try a pacifier or help your baby find his fingers or thumb for sucking. Lessen the amount of air your baby swallows by taking frequent breaks during feedings to burp your baby. A lot of air in the gut can cause cramps. Make sure you are holding the bottle so that your baby sucks in formula and not air.
Nursing mothers who smoke have an increased risk of having their children develop colic. Therefore, avoid smoking.
Some "colicky" babies seem to do better if they do not drink cow's milk-based formula or their mothers who are breastfeeding do not eat any diary products. Although this is considered "milk protein intolerance" and not "colic," the crying may lessen with some of the techniques discussed above. Ask your baby's doctor for advice if you suspect your baby is bothered by cow's milk or another food.
No one intervention works for all babies; see which of these strategies works best for your baby! There are many books written on this subject. Ask your local librarian for suggestions. If nothing seems to work, don't hesitate to call your doctor. Above all, remember that colicky babies do grow into healthy, happy toddlers!
Prevention
There is no way to prevent colic.
