Below are some products and methods that other mothers have found helpful to calm an upset baby.
Before you read the list, I need to tell you something.
There are NO guarantees that any of the suggestions on this list will work consistently, although some of the ideas may offer temporary relief – occasionally.
Why? Because your baby is changing rapidly during his infancy, hence his problems and solutions are changing too. Certainly, you should continue to look for ways to help your baby feel better. But, please remember:
- do not get discouraged,
- do not give up, and
- do not criticize yourself if you are unable to find a reliable solution for your baby’s discomfort. It’s not your fault. You’re a caring parent, that’s why you’re seeking help for your baby.
OK, so here’s the list:
Gripe Water
Usually administered with an eye-dropper, this product is meant to help with tummy upsets. So if your baby’s colic is related to gastric upset, this could help. Some modern formulas of Gripe Water still contain sodium bicarbonate, while others are made up of strictly herbal oils and homeopathic substances. Most do not contain alcohol, but please read the ingredients on the label, and do your own research to understand how each ingredient affects baby.
A well-known and popular brand of Gripe Water can be purchased online: The Only FDA Regulated Gripe Water for Infant Colic, Gas and Reflux . Check out the testimonials at the website, you’ll be impressed.
Colic Tablets
These tiny, quick-dissolving tablets, made by Hyland’s, contain homeopathic ingredients to help soothe mild gastric distress by dissipating gas, relieving gastric discomfort, and calming upset babies’ nerves. These are available at most grocery stores and health food outlets.
White Noise
Sounds such as a rainstorm, running clothes dryer, vacuum cleaner running in the distance, TV static, babbling brook, womb sounds and heartbeat, etc. can calm some babies. DVDs and white noise machines are available that contain “white noise” sounds to help soothe baby and help her rest.
Ora Jel® (for teething pain)
Ora Jel® is a topical analgesic (pain reliever) that you can rub across baby’s swollen gums to temporarily numb teething discomforts. This product never really worked for me (maybe my kids never had painful gums, who knows). Ora Jel® is only one of many brands of this topical analgesic, easily available at local grocery outlets.
Warm bath
This never worked for me because my kids hated the water! I don’t know why—they just screamed every time they got wet. But, that was then, this is now. Now there are bathing aids that were unavailable several years ago. These include bath rings, bath chairs, baby bathtubs, etc. I recommend you research these products carefully to be sure you are getting a product that is SAFE and easy to use. Also, be sure the water is warm enough to be comfortable for baby.
Low lights, quiet music, and rocking
Although this technique may not always work, I strongly recommend using it on a regular basis. You can add it into baby’s daily routine, especially at nighttime or nap time. Over a period of several weeks—and perhaps not until the colic stage passes—your baby will begin to associate these quiet moments with bedtime or nap time. Believe me when I say that, what you establish today will become a true live-saver in a few years!
Swaddling
My mother used to swaddle my babies when they cried. She didn’t seem to get rattled by the ear-piercing screams, and would wrap them up snuggly and rock them while they wailed. I believe this technique is an important one to try, because many babies will be comforted by this technique. It is helpful if you obtain a specially-designed swaddling blanket, along with some training on how to properly swaddle your baby. A number of websites offer various swaddling supplies. Here’s one that I recommend: An Off-Switch For Your Crying Baby: The Miracle Blanket . The website contains an amazing video clip showing a baby’s reaction before, during, and after swaddling using The Miracle Blanket ®.
Letting baby cry it out
Use this as a last resort. No parent ever wants to sit by and let their baby cry. But sometimes that’s all you can do. This will not make you happy or relieve your baby’s discomfort, but it may save your sanity when you’ve hit a low point. Every pediatrician will tell you that you can safely allow your baby to cry for 10-15 minutes. Of course, this is not something that should become a habit, but consider it as an option when your nerves are so frazzled you just can’t handle it anymore. And, again, don’t feel bad about yourself for doing this. Your baby will never remember that you ignored him for a few minutes today.
Other
If you know of other techniques or products that you believe would be helpful, please share them with other frazzled readers by adding your comments to this website.
We love getting feedback from our visitors.
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“What am I doing wrong?” is a common question parents ask themselves when their baby won’t stop crying. No one is prepared for months of non-stop screaming. No one believes that there’s nothing they can do. No parent ever accepts the fact that some babies are just plain miserable during their first several months of life. For this reason, parents of colicky babies often blame themselves. They think they are doing something wrong because their baby doesn’t want to be held or cuddled or sung to or rocked. They think they are doing something wrong because this pattern wears them down and they start—dare we say it out loud?—hating the baby they love.