5 Ways to Help Your Colicky Baby

Having a baby with colic is not in any parent's plan. It's been estimated that up to 40% of babies suffer from colic, and even more frustrating, colic can last 6 months. Listening to your baby cry for hours on end can leave any parent feeling heartbroken and helpless. If you're looking for ways to help your colicky baby, you're in the right place.

A fussy baby can mean many things, so how do you know if your baby has colic? 

A colicky baby looks like:

• Intense crying, sometimes with screaming
• Extreme fussiness even after the crying has stopped
• Predictable timing, with episodes often in the evening
• Body tension, pulling up legs, stiffened arms and legs and clenched fists

Remember the 3 C's of Colic: Crying for 3 or more hours per day, 3 or more days per week, 3 or more months.

Soothing Your Colicky Baby

Tip #1: Pressure Position Your Baby

What is pressure positioning? To help your colicky baby, lay your baby in your arm like a football, face turned to the side with the belly facing downward. Next, gently rock your baby. The pressure is just enough on the baby’s stomach and the light rocking helps to move around the tummy gas. 

Because colic is thought to be caused by gas buildup in your baby's tummy, pressure positioning works wonders! You can also lay your baby across your lap for some tummy time to achieve a similar result. And with tummy time, your baby starts to build those neck muscles (an added bonus!).

Tip #2: Give Your Baby a Gentle Massage

Pat or rub your baby's back in circles. This helps promote a good burp, helping to provide colic relief.

How it works. “I often arrive to help save a stressed mother and colicky baby. I love holding babies, even if they are fussy or crying. While educating the mother on solutions, I will rub and pat their back. Sometimes, quite unexpectedly, the baby has a pronounced burp and calms down. We still put on a Happi Tummi to avoid further gas buildup. It is easier to soothe an already calm baby, than an upset baby whose needs have not been met,” notes Nanette, Founder of Happi Tummi.

Tip #3: Hold Your Baby Upright

Keeping your baby upright, especially after feeding, can help your colicky baby by reducing acid reflux. Reflux babies suffer with stomach acid traveling up their esophagus after eating. It often causes a burning sensation in their chest and can cause spit up.

Sometimes acid reflux can cause greater medical problems, and often medical professionals recommend surgical procedures. Please try Happi Tummi if you are considering surgery. Nanette’s second child had Acid Reflux. He was recommended to have surgery. When she applied the same formula of Happi Tummi that worked for her first child and colic, it immediately resolved the symptoms. We think it calmed the stomach reducing the natural gag vomit reflex, thus reducing the symptoms of Acid Reflux that burn the esophagus. 

Tip #4: Keep Calm & Take Care of Yourself

This is an often overlooked option when your baby is suffering from colic. We realize this sounds easier said than done, but your baby can feel when you are stressed and frazzled. When you are tired, the baby is tired, and no one is happy. Little ones need some rest and love a nice skin to skin contact nap.

Try placing your naked baby on your bare chest without clothing. Lay your baby’s head, turned sideways, over your heart and allow your stomach to rise and fall with every breath. As your baby fusses and cries, gently circle the back with your hand, keeping a rhythm.

Each time you breathe out, think good thoughts for your baby. When your baby calms down, match your breathing to that of your baby’s. Soon both of you will be napping soundly. Nanette notes, “I see a lot of fussy babies, and babies always respond to mommy’s touch. Whether breast feeding or simply relaxing, this is one of my favorite positions and it often soothes the colicky baby.”

Tip #5: Try a Natural Remedy