There are tips for calming a baby in colic, this crying attack that affects infants.
- Colic corresponds to crying attacks in infants, without identified cause.
- There are some tips to calm them down: they consist of finding techniques to reassure the baby.
- If there are associated symptoms or if colic persists, it is important to consult a pediatrician.
Crying that lasts for hours, without anything soothing them: colic leaves parents helpless. According to French-speaking Group of Pediatric Hepatology-Gastroenterology and Nutritionthere is no proof that these crying attacks are the consequence of untreated pain, especially since analgesics do not calm them down. If their causes are unclear, there are tips to alleviate them.
Infant: what is colic?
Often this crying appears in the afternoon or evening. They mainly affect children aged 4 to 12 weeks and are associated with agitation. Beyond this age, they tend to disappear. “The ‘rule of threes’, which stated that colic crying should occur over a period of 3 hours or more per day for at least 3 days per week, is no longer valid.”, however, believe these specialists. Between 20 and 25% of infants are affected. The exact causes of colic are unknown, they are certainly the result of a combination of factors.
Colic: five tips for calming a baby who suffers from it
L’American Pregnancy Association, which provides advice on pregnancy and reproductive health, gives five ideas for soothing a colicky baby. The first recommendation is to cuddle your child. “Some babies just need that extra feeling of security with a firm but nice hug.”, specify these experts. It is also advisable to walk with him: “Sometimes a change of scenery can be enough to redirect even the young baby’s attention, they develop. Walking from room to room can create a new environment that may capture your baby’s interest.” If this does not work, swaddling in a soft blanket may be a solution. However, this method should be abandoned when the infant begins to try to roll over. Voice is also a remedy for colic: singing or talking can bring comfort to the child, because the parents’ voice is soothing. Finally, the pacifier can also be a way to calm colic, but as these professionals point out, this choice is a “personal decision of the parents”.
Baby: when colic becomes worrying
In certain situations, colic should lead to consulting a pediatrician. First, if they are associated with certain symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools or any other stomach problem. But also if they persist after three months.
Furthermore, consulting a health professional can help parents feel supported. In fact, the French-speaking Group of Pediatric Hepatology-Gastroenterology and Nutrition believes that the “Therapeutic strategy must be part of holistic care whose objective is to comfort parents who have an uncomfortable baby.. The idea is not to cure colic, but to help parents get through this difficult time.
