Easy Home Remedies For Colic In Babies

Colic is an irritating condition which causes distress and unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby. Colic in babies is really frustrating and the babies cry for more than three hours a day, three days per week or longer. This is a distressing condition for both the mother and the baby. However, this is really not a serious condition to worry and it is often short lived for a month or so.

Crying and fussing are often seen among infants, but the symptoms of colic are quite unpredictable. Some of the symptoms you can observe are intense crying periods for a few minutes or for hours, crying for no reason, and at the end of this your baby might pass gas or have bowel movements etc. Infants often cry when they are hungry, but colic is slightly different.

Warm Bath :-

Give your baby a warm bath during colicky times. This will have a soothing effect on your baby as well as help to distract and make your baby sleepy.

• Fill your baby’s bathtub with warm water.
• Add a few drops of lavender oil.
• Bathe your baby in this water.
• While doing so, massage the tummy area gently to relieve painful trapped gas.
• Dry your baby and rock gently to help him sleep.

Oil Massage :-

Regular oil massages will also do wonders for any baby suffering from colic pain. Massage will help keep the baby warm, ensure proper digestion and prevent gas. Plus, it will help your baby sleep after each feeding.

• Put some warm olive oil on your hands.
• Use it to gently massage the baby’s tummy in clockwise circles.
• Also massage the baby’s rub cage, pelvis, hands and feet.
• Do this several times a day.

Warm Compress :-

Another simple home remedy to help a colicky baby is a warm compress. Warm compresses applied on the baby’s tummy provide relief from the gas and also have a soothing effect.

• Dip a very soft towel in warm water and wring out the excess water.
• Place the warm towel on the baby’s tummy.
• You can even rub the towel gently in circular motions for a few minutes.
• Follow this simple remedy 2 times daily to assist gas movement.

Note: Do not use a hot water bottle or heating on babies.

Knee Pushing Exercise :-

Gentle exercise is essential for your baby to ensure smooth digestion. One exercise that can help a lot in relieving colic pain in babies is knee pushes.

• Put your baby in a lying position.
• Gently hold your baby’s knees together.
• Slowly bend the legs at the knees and push them towards the tummy.
• Hold the legs in this position for a count of 4 to 6.
• Repeat several times every day.

Note: Do not do it forcefully or when there is resistance from your baby.

Asafetida :-

• • Asafetida is considered as an anti-flatulent.
  • It helps in relieving gas and enhances digestion.
  • Asafetida is considered amazing in treating colic pain in infants.
  • Add a pinch of asafoetida in a small bowl containing 5-10ml water.

• Slightly heat it and let it cool. Use this solution to rub the tummy of your baby.
• Follow this treatment several times a day until it is no longer needed.
• For babies who started consuming solid foods, add a pinch of asafetida in their food before feeding them.
• Also, nursing mothers can add a pinch of asafetida to a glass of warm milk and consume it warm.

Fennel Seeds :-

• Fennel seeds are considered effective in treating colic in babies.
• It helps relieve gas and other intestinal discomforts.
• Add a tbsp. of crushed fennel seeds to a pan filled with a cup of water.
• Allow it to boil for a few minutes. Strain it and let it cool.
• You can give a half tbsp. of this concoction thrice a day to your baby.
• Also, nursing mothers can drink this concoction twice a day.

Yogurt :-

• Yogurt is a great source of probiotics and helps in treating colic in babies which are caused due to discomfort in the stomach.
• Feed your baby with a teaspoon of yogurt which helps in improving intestinal health by feeding the good bacteria inside the gut, thus improving immunity and digestion as well.
• If the colic pain occurs due to lactose intolerance then you need to switch to soy products such as soymilk.

Chamomile Tea :-

• • Chamomile has antispasmodic and sedative compounds that help in relieving pain caused due to intestinal cramping. It even helps in inducing relaxation.
  • Fill a pan with a cup of water and add a chamomile tea bag to it.
  • Instead, you can add dried chamomile flowers.
  • You can feed your baby with a teaspoon of warm chamomile tea twice a day.
  • Also, nursing mothers can drink chamomile tea regularly.

• Follow this remedy twice a day to get relief from this condition.