Almost 30 per cent of babies get it and as a mum of four I feel like I’ve been there, done it & got the t-shirt on the colic front.
Violet was just a matter of weeks old when we found ourselves in the throes of colic for the fourth time and if you’ve been there too you’ll know it’s one of the worst things about those early days.
The problem with colic – when a baby cries a lot and you’re not quite sure why – is that although it’s generally accepted to be due to abdominal pain experts can’t agree what actually causes it, which isn’t much help if you’ve got a baby who simply won’t stop crying.
There are, however, certain things you can do and products you can use which really do help. This time around I’ve discovered Care Co-Lactase infant drops, which help reduce lactose content in breast milk and formula, making it easier to digest. Care very kindly gifted me a calming pregnancy box including a bottle of Care Co-Lactase to help get us through the colicky days, and now that we’re finally coming out the other side I thought I’d share how we’ve done it.
5 ways I’m dealing with my colicky baby
1. ALWAYS wind them after a feed
It might be tempting to slide them back into the bedside crib after a night time feed without waking them up by winding them but trust me, don’t do it! What you gain in sleep at the time will be lost a few hours later when tummy trouble kicks in – and then the whole house will be up.
2. Make one side of their cot higher than the other
We have a bedside crib which enables you to raise one end higher than the other so Violet can sleep at an angle, with her head higher than her feet, and it really does help. If you’ve got a pram with the same function use it because it really will make a difference when it comes to trapped wind.
3. Try enzyme drops
There are a variety of drops on the market all claiming to do a similar job, and this time around I’ve discovered Care Co-Lactase (Β£9.99) which has really worked for us. It reduces the lactose content in breast milk and infant formula, breaking down lactose into simpler sugars, which means babies can absorb it more easily. Unlike other brands on the market it works instantly, meaning you don’t have to wait 30 minutes for it to take effect, and you can use it from birth onwards.
I’m exclusively breastfeeding Violet and giving her the drops is easy peasy – I’ve been adding it to expressed milk in a bottle but you can also mix it with a few drops of expressed milk and give it to them on a sterilised spoon or in a syringe.
4. Try baby massage
I find lying Violet on her back and massaging her tummy really helps on the colic front, as does rotating her legs as though she’s riding a bike. Be prepared for the trapped wind to make an exit though – resulting in giggles all round!
5. Take a break
We all know babies respond to the environment they’re in and if you’re tired, stressed and at the end of your rope the chances are they’ll pick up on it. Try and find the time to have a break and rest and recharge, whether it’s a lie down, a long hot bath or (if you’re very lucky!) a nap. Care gifted me this gorgeous calming box with lots of thoughtful little products to help me unwind, including a fabulous eye therapy pillow, an aromatherapy rollerball, some calming tea, a soy wax candle and a beautiful bib for Violet. Because we all know happy mum = happy baby!
Do you have any top tips for dealing with a colicky baby? I’d love to hear what they are!
I was very kindly gifted the products featured in this post. For more information about Care’s infant remedies click here.
Great ideas – hadn’t thought about enzymes but I love the probiotics I take. #MMBC
I am so happy you’ve found these ways of handling Violet’s colic. It sounds upsetting for both baby and Mummy. #MMBC
My daughter is now 14 but I still vividly remember the tough time we all had when she was a collicky baby. I was so tired but it was a small-step process and we followed a lot of the tips you have outlined. Hope it gets better soon x #MMBC
My daughter is now 14 but I still vividly remember the tough time we all had when she was a collicky baby. I was so tired but it was a small-step process and we followed a lot of the tips you have outlined. Hope it gets better soon x #MMBC
Aww! Colic is the worst. My youngest used to suffer with it.
Great advice. I hope things are better soon x