How to soothe a baby's colic

One of the most dreaded things for parents, especially first-time parents, is the so-called "infant colic," that "bellyache" of unknown causes that can be so irritating for both the baby and the parents.

The most characteristic symptom of colic is the inconsolable crying of the baby that appears between the second and fourth week of life. This crying usually occurs in the afternoon or evening for several hours, every day of the week, and can last for more than three weeks.

Signs of Colic

Of course, not all bellyaches are colic, nor should all crying make us think it is, but to rule out colic, we need to pay attention to various reactions from our baby:

If your baby has colic, it is likely that they will be nervous, draw their legs up to their abdomen, tremble, have a red face, and a hard, bloated belly.

It will also indicate possible colic if during feedings the baby rejects food and cries, if after eating they burp but then cry again, or if even after accepting the breast or bottle, they regurgitate what they have taken.

If, after these symptoms, we try to calm the baby in our arms with cuddles and caresses and the crying persists, it is very likely that their belly is hurting.

What to Do About Colic

As mentioned, infant colic manifests as inconsolable crying that can last for several hours. Faced with this, desperate parents try changing the diaper, holding the baby, giving cuddles, and many things that usually do not stop the crying and only lead to frustration for the parents; that's why the first thing to do is to stay calm.

Of course, it is best to consult a pediatrician to assess the situation and recommend what's best for the baby. But there are also other professionals who can treat the baby, such as an osteopath.

The osteopath's role is to treat possible "distortions" caused by pressure during childbirth, especially in the skull. These distortions can lead to mouth asymmetries that interfere with suction, leading to a build-up of air that causes colic and regurgitation.

Not All Crying Is Colic

There are other situations in which a child cries that may lead us to think our baby is suffering from colic, but we must be able to differentiate them. For example, if the child cries and is fed and then falls asleep, it simply means the baby was hungry. They are not experiencing colic if they burp and calm down after eating or if they stop crying when picked up.