Here's a common phenomenon that's unfortunately well-known to new parents. And yet we're no less helpless when it affects our baby. Baby cries intensely, writhes, with clenched fists and bent legs: it's generally a sign they're suffering from colic. Their little belly is hard, 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 in gentleness and kindness we can find some gentle techniques that can soothe baby. What if babywearing could help us?
How to relieve baby's colic?
Reassure baby
Talk to them calmly, put words on their discomfort. As small as they may be, baby can understand what you calmly explain. Take time to talk to them, explain that you will try to relieve them by placing them against you in the baby carrier or baby wrap.
Colic can have various causes but stress certainly doesn't help. Reassured by your gentle words, baby will better understand what is happening.
Babywearing and colic: the winning combination?
Babywearing is a support that can relieve baby's colic. Yes, well positioned in a physiological tummy-to-tummy position in the baby wrap, your little one will find some comfort. Wrapped in the fabric, they will feel contained, less lost in space, one less distress to manage for them. Young babies need to know their body's limits. The wrapping by the sling is very reassuring.
Moreover, massaged by the tummy-to-tummy position, you'll relieve baby without even realizing it. The gentle abdominal massage caused by your rocking movements reduces the pain of colic. Warmed by your body heat, they 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 mentioned, the vertical tummy-to-tummy position will help your little one. Warmth, massage but also digestion aid. Colic often occurs shortly after meals. Better facilitate this and avoid the risks of regurgitation which are hardly pleasant for them.
Rocked by your movements and soothed by the sound of your heart, baby will fall asleep remembering these gentle sensations that will remind them of late 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 the bottle, favor the vertical position again. In this position, they swallow less air which limits gas!
If baby still shows signs of stomach pain, you can massage their belly with gentle circular movements, clockwise. Press gently of course. This helps release gas and therefore calm colic. Don't do these massages right after meals.
Of course, when these anti-colic gestures are not enough and your baby still seems to be in pain, it's better to consult a doctor. But babywearing remains a caring solution that can really relieve an entire family facing the distress caused by infant colic.