7 Methods for Calming Colicy Babies

Babies’ crying spells, which last from 6 pm to midnight, often worry parents. Crying for a long time babies who do not have any health problems can be caused by gas pains (colic). With simple recommendations, the duration of the baby’s gas pains can be shortened.

If The Baby Cries Day and Night

Babies who are born healthy and normally cry for a variety of reasons. Especially for the first time, parents who become mothers and fathers panic, thinking that this situation is abnormal. If the baby does not cry because of temperature or hunger, gas pains (colic) should come to mind first. In babies of 2-3 weeks with a weight gain of at least 150 grams per week, crying spells exceeding 3 hours a day, occurring without any cause for more than 3 days a week, lasting more than 3 weeks and which cannot be stopped are defined as colic. Crying spells, which are exacerbated throughout the day and night, are also indicative of gas pains.

Warnings for Colic in Babies

1. Excessive crying is not harmful to babies in terms of health and should not be worried about this situation. If the baby does not have any other health problems, the duration of crying will be reduced from the third month onwards.
2. There is no formula for ending crying spells completely. Some measures can only shorten this period.
3. When the baby’s crying spell begins, nutrients such as sugared water or honey should never be given to calm the baby.

It is Seen in 1 in 5 Babies

The source of gas pains, which cause crying spells throughout the day, is often cannot determined by families. It is expected that babies will experience restlessness, which lasts approximately 3 hours at 6 weeks after birth, and can be reduced to 1 or 2 hours when they are 3-4 months old. The gas pains seen in about one fifth of the baby become apparent when they are 2-4 weeks old. If the baby calms down for 1-2 hours and spends most of the day calm and peaceful, parents need not worry. When babies are at 3 or 4 months of age and reach the 6-month limit, they begin to control their nervous system and colic-induced cry spells spontaneously disappear.

Methods to Calm Babies

1. Breastfeeding mothers should take care of their nutrition. Consumption of flatulent foods such as onions, cabbage and dairy products should be limited. If babies are fed with formula, it should be switched to the formula determined by pediatricians.
2. Babies should not be fed in such a way as to cause indigestion (dyspepsy) during this period. There should be at least 2 hours between meals.
3. When the cry spell begins, the baby should not be taken to the lap and tried to calm down. In order for the baby to sleep with rhythmic movements in the crib, the crib should be rocked slowly.
4. If the cry spell lasts long and the weather is suitable, the baby should be taken out and shown the baby around. It is a well-known method for some babies to calm down in a car. This method is often effective.
5. Baby shower, massage or any suitable herbal tea should be tried. Since the fancy of each baby may be different, a suitable sedative method should be found. Especially kneading the back and waist with massage makes some babies happy. Sage, anise, linden, cumin, chamomile and fennel can be preferred as soothing.
6. Breastfeeding often prevents gas pains. Breastfeeding the baby during cry spells or giving him/her a pacifier will calm him/her.
7. The sleep patterns of babies who suffer from excessive crying at night due to gas pains need to be changed. Such babies should not be allowed to sleep for long periods of time during the day.

Also care should be taken when using herbal drops. Chinese star anise should never be used. As a result of the use of Chinese star anise, the risk of neurotoxicity may occur as a result of toxic substances adversely affecting the nervous system. Finally, to the risk of convulsions may occur by oral delivery of sage oil instead of applying it to the skin.