Colicky Baby Relief 

It has been said that to spot a parent of young children you only need to look for the person with dark circles under their eyes and a haggard look of exhaustion. A colicky baby can leave you exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally. Often, the worst part of dealing with a fussy child is not knowing the underlying problem. A normally sweet baby may be having stomach cramps, headache, growing pains, or even simply be fearful of being left alone. When trying to care for an infant, or young child, in these circumstances, it is important to try to eliminate as many symptoms as possible. This will allow you to focus on what the child needs.

Most often, a child is colicky because there is a need that has not been met. Something is wrong that they are not able to communicate to you. If your child has a high fever, or diarrhea that does not seem to improve with normal care, contact your pediatrician right away.

Many of the most common causes for babies to become colicky are teething, growing pains, gas pains, and burps that are stuck. If you are not sure what the problem is, it may be best to mix a batch of gripe water which will help with the symptoms of most of these issues. Gripe water is a classic home remedy that is most often associated as having come from middle Europe. There are a few “gripe water” products that can be purchased over the counter where you purchase your other medicine for your child. However, it is easy to make with few ingredients.

One recipe for gripe water that many have had the most success with is made from chamomile, ginger, and fennel. Make a normal cup of chamomile and add a few dashes of ginger. The fennel can be added using a tea ball or simply strain the tea when pouring it in the bottle. Have the tea steep for about 5-10 minutes and then pour it into the bottle over a few pieces of ice. Although it does not have to be warm, the heat seems to help.

Each ingredient of this particular recipe calms some aspect normally associated with colic. Chamomile calms the nerves and muscles to help the child relax. The fennel can help pass the gas bubbles, and the ginger is a common salve for nausea.

While waiting for the gripe water to steep and then take effect, there are things that can be done to help your little one. For infants, try for a final burp. It is not uncommon for a bit of air to be trapped and this can be quite painful. In some cases it may be necessary to try different positions such as laying them across your legs or try a football hold with their head at your elbow and their tummy in your hand. Alternate between this and an upright or seated position to help work the air out. These can also help with gas issues. However, if you know the culprit is gas, try rubbing the tummy in a circular motion with firm strokes. Another option is to press their knees towards their chest.

Try each option and if possible, have others try their hand. Each child is different, and the most unexpected thing may turn out to be the culprit.

Need Colic Relief for Your Newborn?  Get Some Colic Calm