Disclosure: This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received one bottle of Colief Infant Drops for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
When you’re a new mom, you may not always realize what that may entail. Believe me, I am speaking from experience. Even after having one and planning for the second, I was blindsided when my son had colic. I was not prepared. Fortunately, we made it well past that phase. Twice.
Tips for Soothing Colic Baby
Yes, twice. Not only did our son have colic, but so did our last baby. This time though, I was better prepared. I learned from her brother how to handle the crying and digestive issues. Colic usually begins about two weeks after birth and subsides by three or four months of age. While the baby is experiencing colic, it can quite literally disrupt the entire family. A few tips helped all of us get through the tough evenings and move onto to fuss-free days head.
- Be prepared. As I mentioned, I had no idea what colic was nor had I planned for its possible onset. By the next baby, I knew better and had items on hand to help. For example, Colief Infant Drops is the only product that has the lactase enzyme to help digest lactose, Plus, it is also the only product added to both breast milk and formula — the drops are actually added to the milk, not given directly to the baby — so that you can easily continue to feed your baby either way. It can be given at every feeding until about three or four months, which is the age most babies outgrow colic.
- Find what soothes your baby. For each child, this will be different. Our son liked to be held in the football hold. Head in the bend of your elbow with baby laying tummy down across your arm. The pressure on the stomach seemed soothing to him. Our youngest preferred to be held in our arms as we would swing her back and forth. Be willing to have patience and find your infant’s soothing exercise or noise.
- Change your diet. If you are breastfeeding, it is important to know what you are eating and its effects on your baby. Keep a food journal and note your infant’s fussiness to determine if a diet change can help alleviate stomach issues in your infant. If bottle-feeding, make sure the formula you are using does not upset baby’s tummy. While the actual cause of colic is not known, it is believed that some babies have difficulty digesting the lactose in breast milk or infant formula, and for these babies, Colief Infant Drops is ideal to reduce the crying.
- Try a change of scenery. Whether it’s a ride in the car, stepping outside, or a different room, sometimes this can be an easy fix. For baby #5, we could step outside, swing her a little, and find solace as she calmed down. Be willing to try different things to find your infant’s happy place.
- Bathe your baby. The warm water on a gassy tummy can ease the pain, and thus calm the tears. After a nice bath, try a little massage as well to continue to help. Be open to your baby’s response and adaptive to what works best.
- Ask for support. This is perhaps the most important tip. Do not be ashamed. Colic is hard on everyone and can be exhausting to work through. Take help when it is offered and ask for it when it is needed. You and your baby both need you to be your best, so take care of yourself as well as your child. After all, according to a study summary in American Family Physician, up to 28% of all infants experience colic, which is defined as repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying in an infant that is in otherwise perfect health.
You are not alone and remember… you WILL get to the other side! There will be plenty of happy times on the way. Both of my colicky babies have grown well past that stage and we are simply enjoying life.
