While your baby is laying on her back, gently rub her tummy in a clockwise motion and then pull your hands down the curve of the belly. Massaging in a clockwise direction helps to move gas along as that is the route the intestinal tract follows. Repeat several times to help move trapped gas.
Tummy time is good for strengthening the muscles your baby needs to lift his head and, eventually, to crawl and walk. But the gentle pressure on baby's tummy can also help relieve gas.
Place your forefinger near your baby's belly button and start to move in a clockwise motion, spiralling out to the edge of her belly. Progress from one finger gently circling, to the whole palm gently pressing. Hold her tummy to finish. The warmth of your hands will help soothe and calm your baby.
When fed too much, a baby may also swallow air, which can produce gas, increase discomfort in the belly, and lead to crying. An overfed baby also may spit up more than usual and have loose stools. Although crying from discomfort is not colic, it can make crying more frequent and more intense in an already colicky baby.
After baby's bath is an ideal time for a massage. She's already naked, and her skin is still moist -- the perfect time to apply oil or lotion. Put oil or lotion in your palm and rub hands together, which warms up the lotion and your hands -- and makes for a more comfy, enjoyable massage.
Symptoms of colic
- Frowning and grimacing.
- Reddening of the face.
- The baby may pull up its legs, suggesting stomach pains.
- Loud and long screaming fits.
- Loud tummy rumblings.
- The baby cannot be consoled.
- The crying lasts for three hours or more.
(Gas does not cause colic, but seems to be a symptom of colic from babies swallowing too much air when they are crying.) The crying is often worse in the evening hours. The crying of a colicky baby often seems discomforting, intense and as if the baby is in pain. Colic usually reaches its peak at 6-8 weeks after birth.
Your little one might be telling you they've got tummy pains if they show one or more of these signs: Acts fussy or grumpy. Doesn't sleep or eat. Cries more than usual.
Applying a heating pad, hot water bottle, hot towel, or heat wrap over the abdomen and back helps relax the muscles in the abdomen and relieve abdominal cramps and pain. The temperature should ideally be 104° Fahrenheit. Taking a hot bath with bubbles and essential oils or hot showers can also help.
Most babies' bellies normally stick out, especially after a large feeding. Between feedings, however, they should feel quite soft. If your child's abdomen feels swollen and hard, and if he has not had a bowel movement for more than one or two days or is vomiting, call your pediatrician.
Expect at least 3 bowel movements per day, but may be up to 4-12 for some babies. After this, baby may only poop every few days. Baby will usually pass more stool after starting solids. Newborn will pass meconium by 24-48 hours after birth.
The most common symptoms of gas in a baby include:
- crying while passing gas or soon after, especially if the crying happens when a baby is unlikely to be hungry or tired.
- arching the back.
- lifting the legs.
- a swollen-looking stomach.
- passing gas or belching.
While it's hard to hear your little one howl, don't panic! It's likely that the screaming and tears are just your newborn's way of bearing down to create pressure in the abdomen, allowing the gas (or anything else) to release. Think about it – it doesn't hurt when you or I pass gas, so why should it hurt for babies?
Your baby may calm down if you:
- Lay them on their back in a dark, quiet room.
- Swaddle them snugly in a blanket.
- Lay them across your lap and gently rub their back.
- Try infant massage.
- Put a warm water bottle on your baby's belly.
- Have them suck on a pacifier.
- Soak them in a warm bath.
Gerber Soothe probiotic drops are a big favorite amongst many families. They can help soothe crying, colic, and even spit up.
Lay your baby on their tummy, across your stomach or lap. The change in position may help calm some colicky babies. You can also rub your baby's back, which is both soothing and may help gas pass through. In addition, tummy time helps your baby build stronger neck and shoulder muscles.
10 Tips to Soothe Your Crying Baby
- Scroll down to read all. 1 / 11. Swaddle Them.
- 2 / 11. Shift Positions. Parents tend to cradle a colicky baby face-up, but that may not help.
- 3 / 11. Turn On White Noise.
- 4 / 11. Pacify Them.
- 5 / 11. Shh!
- 6 / 11. Take a Ride.
- 7 / 11. Baby Massage.
- 8 / 11. Wear Your Baby.
Gently massage your baby, pump their legs back and forth (like riding a bike) while they are on their back, or give their tummy time (watch tjem while they lie on their stomach).
