Nursing Mothers

Ten Sensible Ways to Soothe a Colicky Baby

Every baby cries.  This is completely normal. A baby communicates with us through tears. It is the only way a baby has of speaking.  If the baby wants some attention she’ll let you know by crying.  If her diaper is uncomfortably full she’ll cry.  If she’s hungry she’ll let out another cry.  If she’s bored, yet another cry.  As a matter of fact some parents are so good at language they can interpret the different cries and respond immediately. 

Baby Bowen is one of the only step by step guides to treating infant colic instantly and naturally.

Baby Bowen is one of the only step by step guides to treating infant colic instantly and naturally.

When an infant starts crying our initial reaction is to pick the newborn up.  A lot of people will tell you that if you want to spoil a baby the easiest way is by reacting every time she cries.  That’s not true.  An infant isn’t smart enough to manipulate.  They don’t know how, yet.  Give them a couple of months and they’ll figure it out.  In other words the first step in soothing a colicky baby is by picking her up. 

 1.) Pick the crying baby up. 

Now that we’re holding an inconsolable baby with colic what do we do?  Hopefully the crying stops immediately.  Both for our infant’s sake and the sake of our sanity.  But what if the baby is fussy even after we’ve picked her up?  Well…maybe she’s hungry.  Every expert that I’ve ever read suggests that a hungry newborn will cry.  Undoubtedly those experts are a lot smarter than me, so let’s try a little mother’s milk.  

2.) Offer the colicky newborn a little food 

Okay.  We’ve picked her up, we’ve fed her, and she’s still crying and exhibiting all the symptoms of a colicky newborn.  Now what.  Maybe she has baby gas. Maybe we didn’t burp her good enough.  She’s a little gas baby who needs to belch.  Let’s give it a try!! 

 3.) Gently rub the baby’s back until she burps and gets rid of all he uncomfortable baby gas. 

 No good.  She’s still a mess and we are also quite frazzled. We are definitely witnessing a bout of newborn baby colic.  Hey!! What about that swing we have?  The one with all the cute little toys?  Let’s give that a try! 

4). Put the fussy baby in a swing.  Check and make sure the toys on the swing are within site. 

 Now we’ve got serious problems.  Nothing seems to work.  It’s time to either vacuum the carpet or to put in the baby soothing CD of someone else vacuuming.  That may comfort a crying mother as well.  A road trip also works. Which shall it be?  Vacuuming, listening to someone else vacuum in stereo, or driving with a crying infant? 

5). Background noises sometimes provide relief for colic. 

So far nothing has worked.  What’s troubling our poor little girl?  Let’s sing her a song. Well, maybe that’s not such a good idea.  But it’s worth a shot!!  Nope.  It just made her a little angrier and she  will probably spit up. 

6.) Sing a song to sooth the little girl with newborn baby colic. 

 As we move on to step number seven let’s take a moment to reflect. What else can we try?  How about a game of peek-a-boo!!   That works all the time.  Put on your best game face.  Smiles are important here.  Happiness is the key!!  If we’re happy, our screaming crying baby will be happy too!!! 

7.) Play with the  baby. 

Maybe all she wants is the feeling she had a month ago when she was born.  She was in a tight, warm and confined area.  Try swaddling.  Get out the best silk blankets and make her real, real comfortable. 

8.) Swaddle your baby in a nice light blanket. 

Did we forget about the rocking chair? Yes we did!! Now’s the time to take the bambino and rock her gently until she falls asleep or fills her diaper again.  Rocking chairs are great!  The nice rhythm, the slight sound, the movement.  It should put her to sleep!! 

 9.) Rock your baby. That doesn’t mean turning on the Classic Rock radio station. 

 Massage your baby.  This is the best treatment for colic!!!  There is very strong evidence that a little rub down will reduce the amount of crying.  

10.)  Massage your crying baby. 

Baby Bowen Method 

One of the best natural ways to eliminate baby colic  the Baby Bowen method.  This method was developed by Tom Bowen and has followers all over the world.