This can be an important question both for the infant and for the parents. How do you know if your infant has colic? While a doctor is the only one allowed to diagnose, the symptoms are fairly easy to recognize.
A baby with colic usually is very shrill in its cries. The stomach is tight and there may be some reflux involved. For the child, this is a very painful experience. For an adult, it causes anxiety and some difficulty coping with the crying.
The best baby colic remedies are often hands-on rather than being time to grab a bottle. The first thing to do is to try and burp the infant. Most parents know how to burp by gently patting the back, but sometimes the gas is deeper and the patting needs to be lower down.
Prop the baby on your shoulder and gently pat its bottom in a rhythmic manner. This may take ten minutes or more to work, depending on how deep the gas bubble is. If this does not work, lay the child on its back and gently massage the stomach area.
While the child is in the womb, it is gently rocked when the mother walks. When the newborn or older infant has colic, rocking can help soothe the child and ease the distress. This can be done even if you don’t have a rocking chair; simply rock your body back and forth.
When considering the question “how do you know if your baby has colic?” there are a few things to keep in mind. If the child is breastfed, it could be caused by something the mother ate or drank. This is not something that can be pinned down with a list of foods to avoid, each child is different. However, do make note of what was consumed prior to feeding the child. It may help prevent further episodes.
Some of the websites that talk about the best colic remedies have great advice. Others have advice that is somewhat dangerous to the child. Essential oils can be wonderful things, but some of them are not safe for infants.
Peppermint oil and anything with eucalyptus in it should be avoided. These can cause serious breathing problems for the child. In fact, children under the age of six should not be given anything with eucalyptus in it, including cough drops.
Another suggestion that might come up is honey. Honey cannot be given to children under the age of one, due to a potential reaction to it. This reaction is relatively rare, but it is still something to avoid.
If your child has frequent colic, it is a good idea to take the infant to the doctor. There are other problems that can mimic colic and the baby should be checked for them. The doctor may suggest infant probiotics to help improve the digestive system.
