How to Cope With Abdominal Colic

The term "colic" refers to pain from abdominal muscle spasms. Colic is usually associated with infant abdominal distress. Gas becomes trapped in the baby's abdomen causing hours of discomfort and inconsolable crying. Flare-ups of colic usually occur in the late afternoons and evenings. Babies aged six weeks to three months are the main sufferers of abdominal colic and treatment can be elusive. No one knows why some babies develop colic and others don't, but there are a number of things that can be done to relieve the baby's discomfort.

Things You'll Need

• Pacifier

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Instructions

Caring for Abdominal Colic

• 1

  Apply heat. A warm hot water bottle or heating pad applied to the baby's stomach may offer relief from symptoms of colic.

• 2

  Hold the baby face down long the length of your arm or thigh. The pressure on the baby's stomach from underneath is often helpful to ease the colicky condition.

• 3

  Walk around with the baby, either holding her or rocking her in a basket or stroller. Swing her in a baby swing. The rocking motion is soothing to many babies.

• 4

  Change your own diet. If you are breast feeding, try eliminating gas-producing foods from your diet. Cow's milk products, chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruits, spicy foods and nuts eaten by nursing mothers are believed to exacerbate colic in breast-fed infants .

• 5

  Administer simethicone drops, a foaming agent that reduces abdominal gas. These drops are available in infant dosages.

• 6

  Use a pacifier. Many babies need to suck a lot, and a pacifier is extremely helpful for colicky infants.

• 7

  Massage the baby's stomach and back.

• 8

  Feed the baby small, frequent meals.