Natural Treatments For Infant Colic

Many infants who have colic cry nonstop for extended periods of time. There is a probability that your infant has colic if they cry for longer than three hours nonstop at least three days a week. This ailment can be treated in a variety of ways. Colic in newborns should always be treated medically. In mild occurrences of colic, there are other natural ways to treat it.

 

It has been found that up to 20% of infants suffer with colic. Colic often affects a kid in the first few weeks of life, about 2-3 weeks after birth, and disappears on its own by the time the child is 4-6 months old. A baby with colic may wail for extended periods of time and may also arch their backs and pull their knees back while crying. In cases of colic, the baby's abdominal muscles are typically strained. Even if the precise origin of colic may not be established, newborns may experience it as a result of gas or indigestion. Additionally, it's possible that some infants will have an intolerance to certain components of breast milk. Therefore, lactose intolerance or an overload may be one of the reasons why infants have colic. There is conflicting and inconclusive evidence that lactose intolerance or overload contribute to colic.

 

Natural Treatments For Infant Colic 

 

Warm Bath

Giving your baby a warm bath is one of the finest natural treatments to treat infant colic. There has long been a solution for this. A baby can relax after taking a warm bath, and it can even divert them from whatever pain they may be experiencing.

Simply fill the baby's bathtub with warm water, and while the infant is lying inside, gently massage the abdomen to assist remove any gas.

 

Get Some Fresh Air

Who doesn't enjoy a little fresh air? Actually, we all do! The magic of fresh air cannot be overstated. The sun, the wind, the birds nearby, and all of these things can occasionally change a baby's attitude and provide comfort for some babies. In order to treat your baby's colic organically, you can also try this.

 

Let Your Baby Suck

 Young children need to satisfy a strong want to suckle. Typically, babies use their hand-to-mouth reflex to sooth themselves by putting their fingers, palms, or fists in their mouths.

If the infant is breastfed, do your best to let him or her eat whenever they want. The infant's colic pain would be relieved thanks to this.

 

Do Some Bodywork Or Baby Exercises

There are specialized baby exercises that can work wonders in helping babies release trapped gas. You can try a light massage, bent legs, bicycling legs, or even placing their bellies on your thighs to apply moderate pressure that will aid in the release of any trapped gas.

You can also visit a chiropractor with your baby. However, confirm if the doctor has training in the care of young children.

 

Try a Warm Compress

A warm compress is another natural treatment for infant colic. It provides comfort and a calming effect in addition to providing some decent relief from any trapped gas.

You must do this by dipping a clean cloth in warm water, squeezing out any excess water, and placing the cloth on your infant's stomach. Even better, softly rub the stomach.

 

Oil Massage

Gently massaging your infant with coconut or olive oil will soothe him or her and aid in healthy digestion. Your baby's entire body should be massaged with the oils, as well as the stomach, which should be done clockwise.

 

Make Sure Your kid Feeds Longer On Each Breast

 Rather than switching between each breast, make sure your kid feeds longer on each breast. The foremilk that comes out at first is far less nutritious than the foremilk that comes out after your infant has eaten milk on a breast for some time. This hindmilk has a higher fat content, which is thought to aid in digestion and soothe the baby's tummy. Also to be considered is the possibility of intestinal stress from an abundance of foremilk.

 

Change the Formula

You should also be aware that the formula must contain something that would cause your infant to react. Therefore, it is beneficial to alter this recipe occasionally. You can even experiment with some DIY formulae that are packed with nutrients that are bio-available and much simpler to digest.

 

Burp Your Baby

Burping your baby is yet another natural infant colic remedy. You must ensure that your infant burps after feedings. This assists in both reducing gas and avoiding the development of air pockets in your stomach.

After feeding your baby, simply lean him against your shoulder. Make sure you are properly supporting the baby's neck and shoulder. Gently pat or rub your baby's back until you hear him or her burp. Ensure that you carry out this action following each feeding.

 

Change Your Baby's Feeding Bottle

You should also remember to switch your baby's feeding bottle. Even the newborn can be soothed by this. This is due to the fact that when you switch feeding bottles, the amount of nutrition entering the infant changes, which may even have an impact on the gas in your baby's body.

 

Watch Your Diet

It is well known that everything the mother consumes when breastfeeding is transferred to the nursing child. Therefore, it is crucial to properly regulate your nutrition. If your infant has colic, you must keep certain foods out of the house: gluten,  caffeine, and spicy foods. This could be one of the best ways of treating colic in infants naturally.

 

Have a Quiet Time

 Be careful not to try to chat or sing to your baby in a loud voice, as this could make them cry even more if they are experiencing colic. Therefore, make an effort to keep the surroundings serene and quiet.

 

Create The Closeness

 Fostering a sense of intimacy is another natural technique to cure infant colic. This method truly helps your child make the transition from the cozy, dark, and warm womb to the outside world. Make sure you try to keep in touch with your kid at all times by wearing a baby carrier. Keep in touch with you at all times to comfort your baby and reduce their crying. Swaddling your infant will help him or her sleep for a long time once you have placed them to bed.

 

Develop Movements

It is important to remember that causing movement may aid in the natural treatment of infant colic. For a few hours, you can bounce your infant on an exercise ball to promote movement. Vibrating chairs, rockers, and swings are additional excellent baby-movement inducers. A newborn can unwind and feel calm from these motions.

 

Knee Pushing Exercise

 A quick knee pushing exercise is a natural way to cure infant colic. Your baby's gas can be relieved by this practice.

Put your child on their back, hold their knees together, and gently pull their legs back toward their stomach. For a few seconds, you must hold their legs in this manner. This activity can also be performed while giving a baby a massage.

It's important for you to know that there are sounds that help relax babies. The sounds divert the infant, which helps to defuse tension. So playing relaxing water or vacuum sounds can be a terrific idea.

 

Additional Natural Treatments for Infants' Colic

Asafoetida: Due to its anti-flatulence characteristics, which help with digestion and gas relief, asafoetida is well known for treating infant colic naturally. You need to take a pinch of asafoetida and mix it with a teaspoon of water to make this natural treatment for infant colic. Now, massage this towards your infant's navel. Asafetida can be added to food or water if your infant has started eating solids.

 

Mint tea: Mint is reputed to provide some relief from abdominal pain. Therefore, mint tea can also be used as a natural infant colic remedy. Add one teaspoon of mint to one cup of hot water, let it soak for 10 minutes, and then drain it thoroughly to use as a natural newborn colic cure. Your baby with colic must now be given a few teaspoons of the mint tea.

 

Tea made from chamomile: Chamomile is a herb with calming and spasmodic effects. Therefore, chamomile tea can provide some respite for your colicky or crying infant and aid in the baby's ability to fall asleep. A few dried chamomile flowers should be dissolved in one cup of hot water and left to steep for at least 10 minutes before filtering if you're using it as a baby colic treatment. Give your infant a few teaspoons of it when it has cooled.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to treat yeast infections and lessen heartburn symptoms. Therefore, a spoonful of apple cider vinegar can be given to colicky babies to help them feel better. One full teaspoon of apple cider vinegar should be added to one cup of warm water. A portion of the teaspoon should then be given to your infant.

 

Orange Blossom Water: In the Middle East, orange blossom water is used as a cure and is also known to quiet a colicky baby. Give your colicky baby a couple teaspoons of this water to help with gas pains.

 

Basil: Basil leaves are renowned for naturally healing newborn colic. These leaves contain the calming and antispasmodic Eugenol compound. Therefore, basil leaves can be utilized to treat a variety of digestive issues.

You must add a few basil leaves to water in order to use this as a cure. After that, boil it and let it cool. Your baby should be given a couple teaspoons of this to drink. Basil leaf paste can also be made; apply it around the baby's navel, let it sit there until it dries, and then remove it with water and a clean cloth.

 

Fennel: Using fennel seeds as a treatment is another natural technique to cure infant colic. Fennel has remarkable therapeutic qualities, including the ability to treat gas and a number of other gastrointestinal disorders. One cup of boiling water should be added with one teaspoon of seeds, and the mixture should sit for at least 10 minutes before being thoroughly strained. Your baby with colic should be given a few teaspoons of this prepared water.

 

Peppermint: Massaging your baby with massage oil infused with peppermint is one of the finest ways to naturally treat infant colic. Peppermint has soothing and antispasmodic effects, which can help colic babies feel less pain. One teaspoon of baby massage oil should have one drop of peppermint added to it. After thoroughly rubbing the oil in your palms, gently rub it over your baby's abdomen.

 

Probiotics: Using probiotics may be another efficient natural method of treating infant colic. Acid reflux, accumulated gas, and a slow digestive system can all contribute to colic. A unique strain of probiotics called Lactobacillus reuteri is well known for its ability to treat the condition of colic. These probiotics aid in lowering gut inflammation, in eliminating bacteria, and in blocking the e-coli bacteria, which is more prevalent in colic babies than in newborns without the disorder. It should be mentioned that probiotics should not be given to infants without a doctor's approval.

 

Seek Assistance: It should be noted that infant colic necessitates the proper assistance of a qualified medical practitioner. In order to settle your colicky infant, you also need your partner's assistance and support. So, while your infant is crying out in pain from colic, do not be afraid to approach your family for assistance.

 

Risks Associated With Natural Colic Treatment for Infants:

Diet of elimination: You must keep in mind that some food groups, including potential allergies like dairy, must be eliminated from your diet if you are nursing your infant. However, before changing your diet while you are breastfeeding, you should always consult your doctor.

 

Start Anise Tea: An herbal tea used to cure colic, anise tea. However, you must strictly remember that some varieties of anise tea are extremely harmful.

 

Gripe Water: Some people advise giving colicky infant gripe water, a solution made of herbs like chamomile or lavender. However, the effectiveness of gripe water has not been established, and there may also be some hazards involved.

 

Conclusion: It is true that, despite their greatest attempts, parents occasionally are powerless to stop their infants from crying on their own. This might end up being really tragic. Make sure to visit your child's doctor and start the required treatment right away if none of the natural cures prove effective.

 

Please use Home remedies for your child after proper guidance, always consult a Health care professional.

 

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health