Colic Soothers

A colicky baby cries and whimpers all the time and parents are often at their wit's end on how to soothe their child. Colic babies cause severe sleep deprivation, frustration and exhaustion in parents as they worry constantly try to quiet the infant. It becomes difficult for them to understand that what is hurting their baby so. Colic crying consists of frequent and prolonged outbursts. According to experts, the most common reason for colic is abdominal pain in babies and the two most common reasons that cause tummy ache in infants are discussed here along with their symptoms and cures:

• Reflux or Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Since the circular band of muscle where the esophagus joins the stomach in babies is not fully matured yet, it allows stomach acid to flow into the esophagus and this causes heartburn and irritation in the lining.
• Symptoms: Babies cry a lot and are inconsolable. They spit up after feeding, writhe in pain, have frequent wet or sour burps and cannot sleep properly.
• Cure: Breast milk easier to digest and will reduce the chances of reflux, hence, nurse as long as possible. For colic babies, give half the amount at once but twice as often. Especially in bottle-feeding, it helps to digest milk better. After feeding, keep the baby upright elevating his head for about 30 to 45 degrees for at least half an hour. If your baby still remains colicky, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce stomach acid.
• Allergy: A component of a formula or something in a mother’s diet who is still breastfeeding may act as an allergen for the baby.
• Symptoms: Apart from symptoms of GERD, the other symptoms of allergy may include diarrhea and raised rashes on the face and body of the baby.
• Cure: Feed your baby more frequently and in smaller amounts. If you are bottle-feeding for the baby, try a hypoallergenic formula. Cow’s milk is the most common infant allergen, so you can eliminate it for a week from a breastfeeding mother’s or baby’s diet and see whether it improves the condition of your baby. Other things that may act as allergens for the baby are soy, wheat, eggs and nuts.

However, there are other things too that can cause colic, so it is not necessary that all babies will respond to the above-mentioned methods. Yet, most babies outgrow the condition at the age of about three to six months.