Your baby has been fussy, uncomfortable, and unhappy for the past few weeks after bringing him home from the hospital, it may be signs of colic. No need to despair though since there are home remedies for colic available, and they are more accessible than you think. Here are a few suggestions that may help.
Soothing a Colic Baby
One of the first things you will want to do to soothe your baby is to create a peaceful and quiet environment. This means making sure that your baby’s room has subtle lighting, and that you have installed mobiles or devices with soothing music in the room, so that your infant will feel relaxed and at ease. This will help to cut down on the crying and discomfort.
Also, you should rock your baby to sleep using a rocking chair, or by rocking your little one on your lap in a consistent back-and-forth motion, the rhythm of the rocking will help to lull your baby to sleep.
Non Dairy Colic Formula or Breastmilk
Other colic remedies include feeding your baby non-dairy formulas, such as Carnation or Enfemil. These formulas tend to be gentler on your baby’s digestive system, and can give your infant a more pleasant disposition.
Breastfeeding is the healthiest option for most babies, so be sure to ask your doctor how often you should breast feed, and whether you should pump milk for the baby to use while traveling.
If you do decide to breast feed, you should also be careful of the things you are eating, so that harmful substances will not transfer to the breast milk.
Staying away from spicy foods, dairy products, and raw vegetables will help your baby to stay free of colic, so be sure to set up a diet for yourself that will allow you to get all the nutrients you need while still doing what’s best for your baby.
Herbal Remedies for Colic
Herbal or natural remedies for colic include fennel, which can be boiled into a tea and given to your infant in drops, and catnip can be mixed into your infant’s formula in order to soothe the stomach and calm your baby down.
Spices such as anise and cumin have also been recognized as colic remedies, so be sure to ask your doctor whether large dosages are safe for your baby.
You may also want to get a swaddling blanket for your infant to reduce colic, and if the condition lasts longer than five months, you should talk to your doctor to see if your baby is teething, or if there are other gastrointestinal problems your little one may be experiencing.