Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell you that colic is one of the most excruciating experiences ever imaginable. Nothing is worse than seeing one’s baby in pain and not being able to help take it away. Finding relief for colic quickly becomes a top priority. There are many different colic remedies that may come to the rescue for your particular baby. Each baby is unique and may only respond to some or a combination of colic remedies. Unfortunately, parents may have to use the old trial and error method to determine which provide the greatest amount of relief for their little colic sufferer. One thing is certain…the days of “waiting it out” are long gone for those determined to find an answer. There is no need to suffer needlessly along with baby. If you’ve tried all proper feeding and burping techniques and baby is still crying, try the following list of the most effective remedies available:

#1 Music / Sound – Traditional lullabies, classical music composed for infants and heartbeat/womb CDs are very popular external remedies that relax many babies suffering from colic. You can find some particularly good ones at the SlumberSounds web site. Some parents have had great success by placing baby in carseat on top of running dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or near running vacuum cleaner. A gentle “shhhhhhh”ing sound in baby’s ear can work magic, as can soft whispers and humming or singing.

#2 Diet – Bottlefed babies with colic may show improvement if switched to a different formula, such as soy. The mothers of breastfed babies may have to pay close attention to their own diet to make sure that babies are not having negative reactions to certain foods. Try eliminating the following common culprits one at a time for a week to see if there are any signs of improvement for baby: dairy, caffeine, chocolate and gas-producing foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, peppers, melons, tomatoes, citrus fruits, beans and peanuts.

#3 Gripe Water – Be sure to check the ingredients before buying a gripe water. Many claim to be natural but include artificial ingredients and preservatives. Colicky infants’ digestive systems certainly do not need any of these potential irritants. Some gripe waters are not very helpful. There is a new, very effective and safe gripe water on the market called ColicCalm, which you can purchase online at Colic Calm Gripe Water. It has the highest success rate on the market.

#4 Warm Aromatherapy Bath / Massage – Add a few drops of lavender to a warm bath and follow with the soothing touch of massage. Focus massage on the tummy area to relieve painful trapped gas. You can research baby massage techniques on the web or pick up a book on the subject. A good one to try is The Practical Art of Baby Massage by Peter Walker. You can buy lovely lavender, chamomile and fennel massage oils specifically designed for baby massage on the Web. There is also a popular baby massage tool called “Snukkles” which may work well for you.

#5 Swaddling – Babies are often soothed when swaddled or held close to a parents chest and heartbeat since they are reminiscent of the comfort and safety of the womb. Newborn babies are soothed in nurseries with swaddling. Techniques on folding soft, stretchy blankets are easy to learn. Find instructions and diagrams online or pick up a book/ magazine on the topic. A good ready-made wrap to try is “Swaddleme”, easy to find on the Web.

#6 Motion – Walking, rocking and movement are very comforting to most infants. The good old rocking chair may be all it takes. Some parents have been known to push stroller or drive around in car until baby falls asleep. Try putting baby in an infant chest carrier or sling so that your hands can be free. Walk with baby facing down across arm with hand under abdomen, applying gentle pressure. This position is often referred to as “the colic hold”. Many babies like to be outdoors. Almost all babies love swings. Try a combination of the above to see what helps soothe baby the best.

About the Author:
After experiencing colic firsthand, it fast became this mother and educators mission to conduct extensive research on colic towards finding a solution. This article outlines some useful techniques including music, motion, swaddling, gripe water, and diet.

“Being a new mom is one of the most physically draining experiences in a lifetime,” says Dr. Blake Ofobike, an ob-gyn in San Antonio, Texas. “Having the best products at your disposal can save your energy and increase your comfort when you need it most.”

Ofobike recommends the following four must-haves for new moms:

1. Nursing Pillow.
Nursing pillows are typically u-shaped soft pillows that not only provide a gentle resting place for babies, but also an ergonomically correct back-support for moms. There are several popular brands on the market. However, Ofobike encourages that new moms do their research to assure their nursing pillow is safe and comfortable for both baby and mom.

2. Gripe Water
Gripe water is an old-world formula used successfully for centuries to bring relief to colicky and teething babies – and their parents. Typically comprised of a blend of herbs known to soothe stomach pains, gripe water is gentle and effective – if the right brand is used. Ofobike recommends a gripe water that contains no alcohol, chemical preservatives, harsh additives, artificial colors/flavors or Petroleum-based products. Wellements’ Gripe Water is one of the very few on the market that meets these standards.

“Having a colicky baby can be very stressful, frustrating and challenging for any parent, particularly if it is the first child,” Ofobike says. “It’s important for parents or caregivers to have a break from this stress. Wellements’ Gripe Water gives parents a safe choice for relieving their child’s digestive ailments, lessening crying and encouraging sleep.”

3. Bedtime Music
A great relaxant for both mom and baby, playing a CD containing soothing music can aid in more sound sleep. If played regularly, your baby may even associate these sounds with sleep – enabling him or her to fall asleep faster. There are several options available today and many of them are equally as effective. What is most important is that the music or sounds are soft, soothing and run for at least 45 minutes.

4. White Noise.
While some babies can sleep through barking dogs, doorbells and telephones ringing, there are others that are more restless sleepers. Create white noise in the room that will drown out other distractions. Fans, humidifiers and actual white noise machines can all be effective devices. What is most important is that they are able to run throughout the night without a shut-off mechanism.

“If your baby isn’t sleeping, chances are you aren’t either,” says Ofobike. “Investing in quality products to soothe and comfort your baby will pay off for both of you.”

For more information on health and wellness products and advice, visit www.wellements.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the Author:
For more information, contact Holly Harmon at SoapBox PR, (480) 361-8104 or holly@soapboxpr.com.