What is a Colic Baby? How to Sleep Colic Baby?

Colic babies never stop crying, and some babies may not be able to sleep for hours. In this article, we have answered questions such as how to understand that the baby has colic, how to put the colic baby to sleep and calm down. Come on, don’t learn about the colic baby!

What is colic?

What is a colic baby, let’s define it first. Long-lasting and unstoppable crying crises in babies are called colic. It’s normal for babies to cry. He can’t talk, he can’t walk, he has very limited access to anything he wants. But for your baby, “She cries like meat has been ripped from her flesh.” If you do, chances are very high that your baby has colic.

This condition, also called infantile colic (infantile colic), begins in the first or second week of life and worsens by the sixth week. Crying crises, which usually start towards the evening hours, last for an average of 2.5 hours.

What are the symptoms of colic?

We said that every baby cries. This is so natural. So, how to understand a colic baby?

• Crying lasts more than 3 hours a day
• Especially if it starts in the evening hours and continues until midnight,
• If this happens at least 3 days a week,
• If she pulls her legs to her stomach during crying spells, her baby is likely to have colic.

Why do babies get colic?

First of all, know this: Colic is not just about your baby’s general health. Even when your baby is perfectly healthy, he may have crying spells. According to experts, there are some reasons for this, although not certain:

• The biggest reason for colic is gas pain in babies! If you are breastfeeding your baby, what you eat passes through your baby’s body easily. That’s why you need to stay away from foods that cause gas. For example, think twice before consuming legumes such as beans and chickpeas. 
• Contrary to what mothers think, the cause of gas pain in a colic baby is not usually gastrointestinal problems. The results of some studies have revealed that there is a problem in the relationship between colic babies and their mothers. If you are nervous, if you spend the breastfeeding period and the moment stressful, your baby will feel it. He wants to suck fast and let go of your breast as soon as possible. Therefore, he swallows air and suffers from gas pains.
• Some babies may be naturally irritable and sensitive. This, of course, invites colic. Such sensitive babies need more maternal contact.

• Your baby’s nervous system is not mature enough. That’s why it’s extremely sensitive to stimuli.
• Generally, colic problem is more common in first children and male babies.
• Although there is no definitive diagnosis, colic is more common in low-birth-weight babies.

By the way, the most frequently confused situation with colic is cow’s milk allergy in babies. Cow’s milk allergy may be the only reason why your baby has gas pains and cries.

Colic treatment in babies

There is no method or medication used for the treatment of colic. You may be worried about crying spells, but these cries are not doing any harm to your baby. This is a temporary situation. Above all you have to be patient!

In the treatment of colic, sedative methods are generally followed. Various interventions aim to make the baby as comfortable as possible and to ensure that parents find the support they need to cope with this situation.

When does colic in babies end?

One of the most curious things about this difficult process will be the question of when the colic baby will recover. Colic, which starts two or three weeks after birth, usually occurs in the 3rd-4th grade. ends at the end of the month. Although rare, it is among the results of the research that it lasts for 1 year.

How to calm a colic baby?

Many methods are recommended to calm a colic baby. What you need to be careful about here is not to try these methods repeatedly. Because it can cause an increase in the intensity of crying by showing a stimulating effect for the baby. We can list some of the methods that can be applied for colic infants as follows:

1. Create a sleep schedule!

Putting a colic baby to sleep is one of the most difficult things. In this process, try to accustom your baby to sleep patterns. Get him to sleep more at night. When he’s sleepy, give him a chance to sleep on his own. You can also try shortening the duration of daytime naps.

If your baby is having excessive crying at night due to gas pains, you should change your sleeping pattern. Such babies should not be allowed to sleep for long periods of time during the daytime.

You may need help on how to put a colic baby to sleep . While putting the colic baby to sleep, you should pay attention to the external conditions in the environment. You should pay attention to the absence of loud noise, the dim light in the environment and the temperature of the room. You can try to put your baby to sleep with rhythmic movements and soothing music.

2. Use non-gas feeding bottles!

• These bottles have an air flow apparatus. This prevents newborn babies from swallowing air, hiccuping, burping, and thus suffering from gas and colic pains.
• Since it prevents swallowing air, it also significantly reduces vomiting.
• Your baby does not need to apply excessive force to suckle. In this way, it prevents the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear of the little lamb.

So what happens when your baby grows up and says goodbye to colic? You can remove the air flow apparatus and use it easily after colic. We loved that it both prevents colic problem and can be used for a long time!

3. Give your baby peace and affection!

How the colic baby is silent, of course, with love and affection! Don’t be irritable, nervous, or fussy when you’re breastfeeding, putting him to sleep, or crying. Don’t be mad at her when she cries. Just because she can’t speak yet doesn’t mean she doesn’t understand what’s going on. Babies feel and are affected very quickly, especially by their mothers’ emotions and actions. Try to get some air together often.

4. Feed right, feed well!

• Don’t overfeed your baby. Allow at least 2 hours between each feeding. Keep your baby upright during feedings so that he does not swallow air.
• If you’re breastfeeding your baby, be mindful of your own diet as well. What you eat may be bothering your baby. 
• If you are using instant formula, consult your doctor and start using a formula that produces less gas. Each brand has specially produced formulas for gassy babies. Prefer these.

Baby food brands: Which formula should be given to a newborn?

• Your baby may swallow air while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. E.g; should take the baby’s nipple completely into his mouth. If you’re bottle feeding, feed vertically rather than horizontally.

5. Take action!

Colic babies like movement. You can take your baby around the house. Also, a short car ride can distract and calm colic babies.

Get out!

How about going out with your baby? Fresh air will be good for you and your baby.

6. Stay away from stress!

Babies are more restless in stressful environments. Keep your baby away from such environments. Give importance to calmness and silence.

Baby massage helps a lot!

Everyone loves massage! Of course, your baby too. You can use small and comforting touches, especially on the head and face area, to calm him down when he cries. You can also get help from oils that can be used for babies, such as olive oil, while massaging. Watch the video, learn how to do colic baby massage:

7. Swaddle your baby!

Babies feel safe when swaddled. What did colic baby mean, it was the baby who needed more safety. If you swaddle your baby when you put him to sleep, he can sleep longer and more peacefully.

8. Lay your baby in the right position

Some babies are relieved when placed face down on the arm. You can try this. The point you need to pay attention to is that your baby’s face should touch the palm of your hand. But don’t put your baby to sleep like this. Just calm down.

9. Colic baby loves music!

Music is the cure for colic! For your baby to relax, you can listen to baby lullabies and baby songs that will calm him down. Choose your song, let your baby listen to it, calm down.

You can try the white noise technique to calm your baby. White noise is used to describe light noise and pleasant-sounding sounds. They are also very popular among colic baby music. You can use sounds such as wind, rain, water, vacuum cleaner sounds that come from afar and continue constantly.

10. Pay attention to cleanliness!

Make sure your baby’s bottom is clean. If not, it makes him uneasy. Especially at night.

11. At least this time quit smoking!

We hope you don’t smoke near your baby! Babies living in homes with smoking are much more likely to have colic.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Giving birth and raising a baby is a huge responsibility in itself. On top of that, if you have a colic baby, you need more help. Don’t turn down offers of help from people you trust. Because first of all, you must be healthy and happy so that your baby will be too.