COLIC: SOME GENERAL STRATEGIES THAT MAY HELP TO MINIMISE THE FREQUENCY

Here are some general strategies that may help to minimise the frequency, duration or intensity of your baby’s crying and fussing. Remember that different things may help different babies, and that something which has worked once may not always work — you may have to try something else. Remember also that the crying and fussing are part of the normal development of most babies, and that they will pass in time. The interventions described below will not magically stop your baby from crying but they may make things more bearable until he grows older and can communicate more clearly to you what his needs are. If one of these strategies does not work after a period of time, then try another.

1. Carry the baby frequently, not only when he is crying. Respond quickly to your baby when he begins to cry or fuss. Do not worry about spoiling him — this will not happen.

2. Check to see if the baby’s nappy needs changing, or if he is too hot or too cold, or is uncomfortable in his cot or basket.

3. Offer a feed if you sense he may be hungry, or if the last feed was more than 2 hours ago.

4. Sometimes the baby is not hungry but wants to suck. Offer him a dummy, or the breast, or encourage him to soothe himself by helping him find his own fingers or thumb to suck.

5. Speak softly to your baby, or sing to him, or play soft music. Your presence and voice may help soothe him.

6. Gently rock or carry your baby in a baby carrier or sling — sometimes the movement and close proximity to a parent is soothing. Some babies quieten when taken for a walk in the pram. The movement, vibration and noise of a car ride may also lull a baby to sleep.

7. Some babies are bored and need the simulation of been held, rocked or spoken to. Others appear to be easily overstimulated and need peace and quiet. Turn down the lights, and try to calm things down.

8. Try baby massage. This will calm the baby and help you relax, as well as facilitating the close communication that is such a special part of infancy.

9. A warm bath may settle your baby and promote sleep.

10. Drugs have a very limited place in the modern management of ‘colic’. There is no evidence that babies suffer from wind or intestinal spasm, so the composition of some of the colic mixtures has no logical basis. Other medications are used to sedate the baby. This may be indicated in special situations for a short period of time, but only under close supervision. They should not take the place of the strategies listed above, but can be used in conjunction with them.

11. Changes of maternal diet (if breastfeeding) or changes of formula (if bottle-feeding) are strategies which are used far too often. There is very little evidence that babies are allergic to either a particular type of milk, or else to substances ingested by the mother and passed to the baby in the breast milk. True milk allergy is relatively rare, and the changes of formula are demoralising for the parents and quite unhelpful to the baby in most cases. Occasionally, the mother will notice a change in the baby’s behaviour after she has eaten something in particular. If this occurs then, of course, this substance is best avoided. However, changes in the diet of the baby or mother are rarely indicated as a treatment for crying and fussing.

12. Last but not least, it is important to seek the advice of your maternal and child health nurse. She will be able to reassure you about your baby’s health, as well as checking your feeding techniques and providing valuable advice on how to handle your baby.

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