Colic

• If breastfeeding, feed on demand (cue feeding), for nutrition as well as comfort, as often as your baby needs a calming influence.
• If breastfeeding, try avoiding foods that may cause gas in your baby. Eliminate one possible cause for a few days and see if it makes a difference. The most common baby tummy offenders are dairy products, caffeine, cabbage, broccoli and other gassy vegetables. But don't assume the culprit, if there is one, will be obvious: I know one mother whose baby reacted loudly and consistently after any meal that included eggplant, asparagus or onions.
• If bottlefeeding, offer more frequent but smaller meals; experiment with different formulas with your doctor's approval.
• If bottlefeeding, try different types of bottles and nipples that prevent air from entering your baby as he drinks, such as those with curved bottles or collapsible liners.
• Hold your baby in a more upright position for feeding and directly afterwards.
• Experiment with how often and when you burp your baby.
• Offer meals in a quiet setting.
• If baby likes a pacifier, offer him one.
• Invest in a baby sling or carrier and use it during colicky periods.
• If the weather's too unpleasant for an outside stroll, bring your stroller in the house and walk your baby around.
• Give your baby a warm bath.
• Place a warm towel or wrapped water bottle on baby's tummy (taking caution that the temperature is warm but not hot).
• Hold your baby with her legs curled up toward her belly.
• Massage your baby's tummy, or give him a full massage.
• Swaddle your baby in a warm blanket.
• Lay your baby tummy down across your lap and massage or pat her back.
• Hold your baby in a rocking chair, or put him in a swing.
• Walk with baby in a quiet, dark room while you hum or sing.
• Try keeping your baby away from highly stimulating situations during the day when possible to prevent sensory overload, and understand that a particularly busy day may mean a fussier evening.
• Lie on your back and lay your baby on top of your tummy down while massaging his back. (Transfer your baby to his bed if he falls asleep.)
• Take baby for a ride in the car.
• Play soothing music or turn on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or running water, or play a CD of nature sounds.
• As a last resort, ask your doctor about medications available for colic and gas.

Tips for Coping

As difficult as colic is for a baby, it is just as challenging for the parents. This can be especially hard for a mother who has other children to care for, who has returned to work, or who is suffering from the baby blues or postpartum depression. Even if everything else in life is perfect, colic is taxing. Here are a few things you can do to take some of the stress out of these colicky times:

• Know that your baby will cry during his colicky time, and while you can do things to make your baby more comfortable, nothing you can do will totally stop the crying. This is not a result of anything you've done or not done.
• Plan outings for the times of day when baby is usually happy, or if outings keep your baby happy, plan them for the colicky times.
• Take advantage of another person's offer to take a turn with the baby, even if it's just so that you can take a quiet bath or shower.
• Keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary; it will pass.
• Avoid keeping a long to-do list right now; only do what's most important.
• Talk to other parents of colicky babies so you can share ideas and comfort each other.
• If the crying is getting to you and making you tense or angry, put your baby in his crib, or give him to someone else to hold for a while so that you don't accidentally shake or harm your baby. (Shaking a baby can cause permanent brain damage, so if you feel angry, and colic can do that to you, put your baby down.)
• Know that babies do not suffer long-term harm from having colic.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Anytime you are concerned about your baby, call your doctor. That goes for anything concerning your precious little one. In the case of colic, be sure to make that call if you notice any of the following: