Best way to deal with a colicky infant

Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle!

Never put the baby down flat, always elevate the head.

Hold the baby stomach down on your arm, head resting in your hand, legs straddling your arm. The pressure of the belly against the arm helps.

My niece was told to get an exercise ball, or a hoppy ball and sit on it and bounce up and down, that helped as well.

Try the gas drops. Trying changing your diet if you nurse, or the formula if you are bottle feeding.

Check the babie’s ears for fluid.

Try using a swing and a white noise machine for soothing sounds.

Ear plugs

Menacing glare

Promise of cash reward for stopping

Or you could just tough it out like we did. The kid is playing on your emotions. By the end of the 1st few weeks, (barring ear aches and illness) most kids learn to knock it off after 10-20 minutes. Besides, our dr told us the the baby really can’t do itself any real harm by crying, so don’t freak out. It only seems like the kid is in agony.

Relax, and enjoy the new arrival!

three months is usually the magical number when they stop screaming!! My babies LOVED sleeping in the Graco Snugride. I mean SLEEP as in ALL NIGHT>.it gives that perfect scrunched up position babies love, (how they were in the womb!)

Take the baby for a ride in the car, put him on a washing machine that is on spin cycle, watch your diet when you are nursing (the same foods that upset your stomach can upset his),baby swing, feed only a little at a time before burping the baby. Pray to hang in there, because this too, shall pass.

Keep Calm and tell yourself over and over again “It will pass”. It really does. We found cammomile tea helped. (baby version)

From webMD:

“What is colic?

All babies cry, but sometimes a baby will cry for hours at a time, no matter what you do. This extreme type of crying in a baby between 3 weeks and 3 months of age is called colic. Although it is upsetting for parents and caregivers, colic is normal for some babies.

Doctors usually diagnose colic when a healthy baby cries harder than expected in a “3” pattern: more than 3 hours a day more than 3 days a week for at least 3 weeks in a row. Colic is usually worst when babies are around 6 to 8 weeks of age and goes away on its own between 8 and 14 weeks of age.

It is common to feel scared, upset, or frustrated when you cannot get your baby to stop crying. But remember that colic is normal-and temporary. Your baby will grow out of it.

What causes colic?

Doctors are not sure what causes colic, but it may be the result of a baby’s sensitive temperament and an immature nervous system. These things may make a baby cry easily and have trouble stopping. As babies grow and develop, they are better able to control their crying.

Colic is not related to health conditions, such as digestion problems. But having gas in the belly can make crying worse.

Colic is not caused by pain or illness. If you think your baby is crying because he or she is hurt or sick, call your doctor.

What are the symptoms?

Most babies will cry less when they are held, fed, and given attention. These things may not work for babies who have colic. When they are crying, they may clench their fists and stiffen their stomach and legs. Some babies arch their back, while others pull up their legs to their stomach.

Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or blood or mucus in the stool is not a symptom of colic. If your baby has any of these symptoms, he or she needs to be checked by a doctor.

How is colic diagnosed?

If you are worried about your baby’s crying, see your doctor or talk about it at your baby’s next routine checkup. To make sure that crying is colic, your doctor may do a physical exam and ask you about your baby’s past health, what comforting techniques you have tried, and whether you have noticed any other symptoms. You may also be asked about how the crying affects you and to show how you burp your baby. Your doctor may suggest that you keep track of when and how often your baby cries.

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If your baby has any symptoms that worry you, such as vomiting or a fever, your doctor may do lab tests or X-rays to find out what is causing them.

What can you do about colic?

After crying starts, try rocking your baby in a quiet room, or take him or her out for a walk in a front-pack carrier or stroller. Some babies are soothed by riding in a car or listening to a droning sound, like a fan or a clothes dryer.

Do what you can to comfort your baby, but accept that sometimes nothing works. If you feel stressed or worn out, ask a friend or family member to give you a break. Take good care of yourself, and remember that colic will go away soon.”