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The worst thing that any new parent can experience is to hear their newborn scream and cry in pain. This is made even worse if you don’t know what to do when this happens. Only a small percentage of babies suffer from frequent attacks of colic but the result is usually endless nights of no sleep and a moody baby. Most parents quickly learn to decipher whether their baby’s cry is due to hunger or pain. A colicky baby will scream, draw their knees towards their chest and clench their fists. Attempting to feed a colicky baby at this time will only make things worse.

The wonders of motion

Motion can be very soothing for your baby and rocking your child may sooth them during a colic attack. The rocking motion also aids in moving the gas caught in the stomach. Another way to give the child’s body movement is to walk with your baby in your arms. A sling may ease the pressure as it can get tiring after a while. You can also bounce the baby lightly while rubbing its stomach. This will also help move the source of pain.

Alternative methods

By gently rubbing your baby’s back and patting it from time to time, you can provide some relief during a bout of colic. You can also massage the stomach and this will help your baby burp and release some of the gas. If your baby is still in pain, a warm bath may help your baby relax and will also ease the pain associated with colic. This will also help your baby sleep and you may be able to get some rest, too.

A great product on the market for colic sufferers is Gripe Water. This will help your child to burp and will calm them too. If you happen to run out and a colic attack arises, try giving the baby warm water from their bottle in a few sips at a time.

Tags: baby, baby care