Baby colic – how to relieve it?

Baby colic is one of the first problems that newborns and parents will face, and above all, a lot of patience is needed. The secret is not to despair! Accept that it's something temporary, that it's difficult in the first few months, but that it quickly gives way to other challenges.

Causes of colic

In short, colic in newborns is related, among other reasons, to the fact that the baby doesn't move much at this stage, which doesn't make it easy for them to release gas. Almost all of us know this sensation, and new mothers often suffer particularly from postpartum colic. The main advice given by nurses is to walk around the hospital as much as possible to encourage movement and, consequently, the release of gas.

Following this logic, one of the first things we should do is encourage the baby's movement. Avoid leaving them in the same position for too long and, outside of mealtimes (i.e., when their tummy isn't full), manually move the baby's legs and press them against their tummy to help release gas.

However, colic can also be caused by excessive air intake, which happens, for example, when the baby is sucking. Whether it's a pacifier, a teat, or even a nipple, make sure the baby's nose isn't blocked when sucking, or, in the case of using a nipple shield, ensure it's filled with milk precisely to prevent inadvertent air intake.

Pay extra attention to this issue if the baby is not exclusively breastfed, and optimize all pacifiers and nipples to ensure complete adaptation of the baby's mouth to them. Also, make sure the baby is able to burp well after feedings.

If using formula, it's still crucial to respect the recommended dosages and pay attention to whether the baby develops any allergies to a specific formula. Colic can result from intolerances (especially lactose intolerance) or poor adaptation to a particular type of formula.

Techniques for relieving cramps

In addition to the traditional position of holding the baby in your lap on their stomach or pressing their tummy against yours, there are more technical massages that can be especially helpful.

A popular technique is Shantala massage, which helps with colic while contributing to the baby's relaxation. Watch this Pulguinhas video to learn how to perform this type of massage and discover its benefits.

If you don't adapt to this technique, ask your doctor, pediatrician, nurse, or caregiver about other strategies that might work better for you.

Heat is undoubtedly one of the best allies in this task! There are various heating pads on the market, scented or unscented, that will be a great help during the most distressing moments. Therefore, the time following a bath is also one of the best times to stimulate movement, while the baby's body is still warm and generating natural heat resulting from the friction of the massage you can do before getting dressed.

How can you tell if it's cramps or not?

Not all discomfort a baby experiences at this stage is associated with colic. Because it's so common (although it's not absolutely true that all newborns suffer from colic), parents tend to associate crying with colic, which may not be the case. Another frequent cause of discomfort at this stage is the famous struggle against sleep, especially at the end of the day. If your baby's "tantrums" are more common at this time, then it's unlikely to be a case of colic.

Learn here about other myths often associated with baby colic, to put the main reasons for crying into perspective and stay calm during the most distressing moments.