The 411 on Natural Colic Remedies
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tell you that colic is one of the most excruciating experiences ever
imaginable. Nothing is worse than seeing one's baby in pain and not
being able to help take it away. Finding relief for colic quickly
becomes a top priority. There are many different colic remedies that
may come to the rescue for your particular baby. Each baby is unique
and may only respond to some or a combination of colic remedies.
Unfortunately, parents may have to use the old trial and error method
to determine which provide the greatest amount of relief for their
little colic sufferer. One thing is certain,the days of "waiting it
out" are long gone for those determined to find an answer. There is no
need to suffer needlessly along with baby. If you've tried all proper
feeding and burping techniques and baby is still crying, try the
following list of the most effective remedies available:
#1 Music / Sound - Traditional lullabies, classical
music composed for infants and heartbeat/womb CDs are very popular
external remedies that relax many babies suffering from colic. You can
find some particularly good ones at the SlumberSounds web site. Some
parents have had great success by placing baby in carseat on top of
running dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or near running vacuum
cleaner. A gentle "shhhhhhh"ing sound in baby's ear can work magic, as
can soft whispers and humming or singing.
#2 Diet - Bottlefed babies with colic may show
improvement if switched to a different formula, such as soy. The
mothers of breastfed babies may have to pay close attention to their
own diet to make sure that babies are not having negative reactions to
certain foods. Try eliminating the following common culprits one at a
time for a week to see if there are any signs of improvement for baby:
dairy, caffeine, chocolate and gas-producing foods such as broccoli,
cauliflower, cabbage, onions, peppers, melons, tomatoes, citrus fruits,
beans and peanuts.
#3 Gripe Water - Be sure to check the ingredients
before buying a gripe water. Many claim to be natural but include
artificial ingredients and preservatives. Colicky infants' digestive
systems certainly do not need any of these potential irritants. Some
gripe waters are not very helpful. There is a new, very effective and
safe gripe water on the market called ColicCalm, which you can purchase
online at Colic Calm Gripe Water. It has the highest success rate on the market.
#4 Warm Aromatherapy Bath / Massage - Add a few
drops of lavender to a warm bath and follow with the soothing touch of
massage. Focus massage on the tummy area to relieve painful trapped
gas. You can research baby massage techniques on the web or pick up a
book on the subject. A good one to try is The Practical Art of Baby
Massage by Peter Walker. You can buy lovely lavender, chamomile and
fennel massage oils specifically designed for baby massage on the Web.
There is also a popular baby massage tool called "Snukkles" which may
work well for you.
#5 Swaddling - Babies are often soothed when
swaddled or held close to a parents chest and heartbeat since they are
reminiscent of the comfort and safety of the womb. Newborn babies are
soothed in nurseries with swaddling. Techniques on folding soft,
stretchy blankets are easy to learn. Find instructions and diagrams
online or pick up a book/ magazine on the topic. A good ready-made
wrap to try is "Swaddleme", easy to find on the Web.
#6 Motion - Walking, rocking and movement are very
comforting to most infants. The good old rocking chair may be all it
takes. Some parents have been known to push stroller or drive around
in car until baby falls asleep. Try putting baby in an infant chest
carrier or sling so that your hands can be free. Walk with baby facing
down across arm with hand under abdomen, applying gentle pressure.
This position is often referred to as "the colic hold". Many babies
like to be outdoors. Almost all babies love swings. Try a combination
of the above to see what helps soothe baby the best.
About the Author
By Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed.
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