The best sleeping position for a colic baby
Colic, acondition characterized by excessive crying and fussiness in infants, can be distressing for both babies and their parents. Findings published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health suggest that placing your baby on their back to sleep could help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, when yourcolicky baby cries intensely, it may be tempting to let them sleep in whatever position makes them most comfortable. Safety is a priority, and it's essential to always place your little one on their backs to sleep until they are one year old.
But if back sleeping is keeping your baby (and you) up, talk to your pediatrician about trying some of the colic hold, carry, and resting positions that have been shown to potentially calm colicky babies. Side colic hold, where your baby is laid on their side against your stomach and made skin-to-skin contact, may help alleviate discomfort. Stomach colic hold, where your宝宝is positioned facedown on your lap and gently massaged, can also provide comfort.
Neck nestle colic carry, where your baby'shead is rested between your chest and chin, can help soothe a colicky baby. A slight incline, such as placing your baby in a slightly inclined swing or bouncer, may help rock-a-bye some of the crying away. Safety note: Be sure to monitor your baby at all times in any of the above positions. Once your little one has drifted off to dreamland, bring them to their crib and place them on their back as soon as possible. Remember, the best sleeping position for a baby after feeding, for naps, and at night, is always on their back on aflat, firm surface in a space without loose pillows, blankets, and toys.
How to help a colicky baby: Additional tips
Calming a colicky baby can take a bit of trial and error. Here are some other strategies that may help soothe your sweet pea:
Swaddle, Keep your baby upright after feeding and burp them often
The upright position can give your baby’s tummy time to settle.
Give gentle belly rubs, Gently rubbing your little one’s stomachin a clockwise direction may stimulate digestion and ease gas discomfort.
Use a white noise machine, A humming white noise machine, clothes dryer, vacuum, or fan may help calm your colicky baby.
Lessen stimulation, Dim the lights and turn off the television and other electronics.
Change the scenery, Give your baby some fresh air by taking a walk or going for a drive.
Offer them a pacifier, A pacifier may appease your baby’s sucking instinct and help them learn to self-soothe.
Consider an infant formula switch, Ask your doctor about switching to an infant formula designed to help manage colic, such as Nutramigen.
Indicators of a colicky baby:
Not all crying indicates colic, but if your baby is not hungry, tired, or sick and cries inconsolably for more than three hours a day for more than three days a week for over three weeks, they could have colic.
Here are some other behaviors to watch for:
Loud, intense, and high-pitched cries, Crying may be accompanied by an arched back, clenched fists, a tense belly, and flailing arms and legs, Cries may worsen at night.
Colic peaks around 6-8 weeks after birth and may be connected with gas, overstimulation, or cow’s milk protein allergy. In many cases, there is no identifiable trigger.
If your baby is crying excessively, losing weight, or is experiencing additional issues such asreflux, diarrhea, or stool that appears white, red, or black,call yourpediatrician.
Ask yourdoctor about Nutramigen® with Probiotic LGG,
If you think your little one’s colic may be connected to anallergy to cow’smilkprotein, talk to your doctor aboutswitching to Nutramigen® withProbiotic LGG,a hypoallergenicinfantformula that isclinically shown to managecolic due to cow's milkprotein allergy in as quickly as 48hours.† It helps morebabies overcome cow’s milk allergy andreturn to consumingregular milk in as soon assix months offeeding.‡ It’s alsolactose-free, which helps reduce theincidence of futureallergies related to cow’s milk.‡
And no matter what type ofEnfamilformulais chosen, you can start receiving up to$400 insavings, exclusive rewards, and support by joining Enfamil Family Beginnings. Enjoy a variety of benefits, including discountchecks and digitalrebates, onEnfamilproducts.
