During the first three months of life, a normal infant cries as little as forty minutes per day or as much as two hours. The infant with colic cries much more than this. The infant with colic has a cry that is higher pitched and sounds very urgent. The crying period may be accompanied by tensing of the abdominal muscles, and flexing of the legs while the infant attempts to lift his or her head. The infant may appear to be in pain. The baby may have a reddened face and may pass gas. This is not always related to stomach distress but is a problem of adapting to his or her surroundings. The infant who is more irritable and cries much of the day tends to have restless sleep.
Helpful Hints
• Try to learn your infant's cues to prevent a severe episode
• Set up a bedtime routine
• Bathe the infant in the evening (this is soothing and relaxing and could be followed by a feeding and then rocking to a sleepy state before placing in the crib)
• Always place the infant in the same area to sleep
• If the infant is crying and will not settle, after five to 10 minutes, pick the baby up and try one of the recommended soothing techniques
• Provide structure and repetition as much as possible
• Allow your infant to cry for several minutes before falling asleep.
• Provide skin to skin contact between parent and infant by placing the infant in a vertical position chest to chest
• Walk with the infant over the shoulder (the baby's abdomen should be near to resting on the adult's shoulder and the adult should walk very slowly about one step per second)
• Stand in one place and rock from one foot to the other at the some slow rate providing a soothing rhythmic activity (do not jiggle or bob the baby up and down)
• Place infant in a carrier strapped to the caregiver
• Bathe infant in a warm bath
• Massage with oil or lotion
• Swaddle the infant with arms folded toward the chest
• Place infant in a wind-up swing, vibrating chair or stroller ride
• Use "white noise" such as a blow dryer, vacuum cleaner or running water (parents have even made 20 minute tapes of these sounds to be played when needed)
• Use a pacifier as much as the baby likes
• Use a bottle with a collapsible bag or a vented nipple to help prevent the swallowing of air
• Avoid bright lights and strong noises, which can be disruptive to the sensitive infant
• Allow the baby to wake on his or her own (try not to interfere with daytime sleep such as awakening for a feeding).
source : Sisters of Mercy Health System
