Help! My Baby Has Colic!

The trickiest and most frustrating of all infant ailments, colic has been perplexing parents and doctors alike for quite some time. The first step in treating colic is making sure what you're dealing with really is colic.

The trickiest and most frustrating of all infant ailments, colic has been perplexing parents and doctors alike for quite some time. The first step in treating colic is making sure what you're dealing with really is colic. Doctors define colic as three or more hours a day of inconsolable crying, and a baby cannot be comforted through feeding, changing, or comforting. Babies with colic typically have good sucking reflexes and normal appetite, a desire to be held and comforted (what is commonly called "high needs"), normal stools, and normal spit-up behavior. Irregular stools or vomiting isn't colic, but another medical problem that should be addressed by your health care practitioner.

For quite some time, many people believed that colic was caused by an intolerance to certain foods such as dairy or cabbage. Recent studies have shown this to be false, and that while many babies do have dairy sensitivities, it is generally not thought to be a contributor to colic. Other digestive disorders in newborns include lactose intolerance (not an issue for breastfed babies unless there is a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance) and reflux.

Recent research seems to suggest that babies who suffer from colic are sensitive to environmental stimuli. While the cause of colic is unclear, most experts agree that these babies need an increased amount of attention and care to help them overcome this difficult time.

Before offering remedies for the colic, try the following suggestions to see if they help:

Walk with your baby or rock him, trying various positions.

Try burping your baby more often during feedings.

Try a vibrating bouncy seat or baby swing. While we're not huge fans of "mechanical baby soothers," some babies seem to need a bit of "downtime," and these often give the caregiver a much-needed break.

If your baby is more the "hands-on" type, invest in a sling and wear baby throughout the day. Soon, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.

Try a car ride. While some babies just can't handle the car, others seem to be soothed by the motion.

Learn to properly swaddle your baby. Not only will the baby likely be comforted, baby may sleep better. Be sure to swaddle tightly - this seems to be more effective than a looser swaddle.

Some basic guidelines for treating colic in your infant:

Infants less than one-year-old have small, sensitive systems. Never administer a remedy intended for adults without directions and the oversight of a health care professional.

Some herbs are safe for infants, others aren't. Be aware of what you're using and its safety. When in doubt, consult an expert.

If you give your infant herbal tea, the dosage should be a few droppersful to a fraction of the adult dose. To calculate the right amount, divide the baby's weight by 150.

Remember that babies should never be given hot herbal tea. Please cool it first.

Try giving your baby a bath in an herbal infusion if you are concerned about introducing anything other than breastmilk into your baby's intestines. They can absorb the healing properties through the skin as well. An excellent herb for this is fennel.