Here's a common phenomenon that's unfortunately well-known to new parents. And yet we're no less at a loss when it concerns our baby. Baby cries intensely, squirms, with clenched fists and bent legs: it's generally a sign that they're suffering from colic. With a hard little belly, they often have gas and become difficult to calm.
It breaks our hearts as parents. Often, we don't really know how to relieve this little being in pain. And yet, with gentleness and kindness, we can find some gentle techniques that can soothe the baby. What if babywearing could help us?
How to relieve baby's colic?
Reassure your baby
Talk to them calmly, put words to their discomfort. As small as they are, babies can understand what you calmly explain to them. Take the time to talk to them, explain that you're going to try to relieve them by placing them close to you in the baby carrier or baby wrap.
Colic can have various causes, but stress certainly doesn't help. Reassured by your gentle words, your baby will better understand what's happening to them.
Babywearing and colic: the winning combination?
Babywearing is a support that can relieve baby's colic. Indeed, well-positioned in a physiological tummy-to-tummy position in the baby wrap, your little one will find some comfort. Enveloped by the fabric, they will feel contained, less lost in space, one less distress for them to manage. Young babies need to know the limits of their body. The wrapping by the baby wrap is very reassuring.
Moreover, massaged by the tummy-to-tummy position, you'll relieve your baby without even realizing it. The gentle abdominal massage caused by your rocking motions alleviates the pain of colic. Warmed by your body heat, the baby will feel better. It's well known that the warmth of a hot water bottle soothes stomach aches.
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Position to relieve infant colic
As we've mentioned, the upright tummy-to-tummy position will help your little one. Warmth, massage, and also aid in digestion. Colic often occurs shortly after meals. It's best to facilitate digestion and avoid the risk of regurgitation, which is hardly pleasant for the baby.
Rocked by your movements and soothed by the sound of your heart, the baby will fall asleep remembering these gentle sensations that remind them of the end of pregnancy.
Here's a video tutorial of the tummy-to-tummy position to relieve colic.
Anti-colic breastfeeding position
When you breastfeed your baby or give them a bottle, again favor the upright position. In this position, they swallow less air, which limits gas!
If your baby still shows signs of stomach pain, you can massage their belly using gentle circular motions, in a clockwise direction. Apply light pressure, of course. This helps release gas and thus calm colic. Don't perform these massages right after meals.
Of course, when these anti-colic measures aren't enough and your baby still seems to be in pain, it's best to consult a doctor. But babywearing remains a caring solution that can truly relieve an entire family facing the distress caused by infant colic.