Colic and Reflux in Babies: A Calming Routine to Try First (Video)

Transcript

Calming a Crying Baby

Ever been jolted awake at three in the morning by a crying baby and the first thought is to change the milk? Let's pause and try a gentle routine first.

At a glance

Colic means the baby cries a lot, more than three hours a day, several days a week. Reflux is just milk coming up after feeds and is usually harmless. Before anything else, give a burping and positioning routine a solid week.

Age range

These issues show up mainly in babies from birth to six months, with the toughest stretch between two weeks and four months. Stick to breast milk or formula only, no water, gripe water, or herbal drops.

Colic, reflux, allergy

About one in five babies goes through a colicky phase. Reflux is even more common because the stomach muscle is still maturing. A true milk allergy is rarer and usually comes with a rash, mucus, or poor weight gain, not just crying.

Week-one routine

First, slow the feed. If you’re using a bottle, pick a slower flow and hold it at an angle so the baby doesn’t gulp air. Pause every 60 to 90 milliliters to burp, and do another burp after the feed. Keep the baby upright for twenty to thirty minutes before laying them down. Finally, try smaller, more frequent feeds instead of big ones.

The five S's

When evening cries hit, try the five S's together. Swaddle the baby snugly with arms in and hips loose. Hold them on their side or stomach while they’re awake, only in your arms. Near the ear, give a firm shush, add a gentle swing, and let them suck on a clean finger or pacifier. Always put the baby back down flat on their back to sleep.

Safe sleep

Safe sleep is non-negotiable, even with reflux or colic. The baby should always sleep on their back in a bare cot, no extra blankets, pillows, or wedges. Even if a relative swears it helps, it isn’t safe.

Old wisdom

Traditional remedies like gripe water or ghutti are often given with love, but under six months they can contain sugars, alcohol, or other hidden ingredients. Stick to breast milk or formula, and use a dummy, skin-to-skin contact, and a calm dim room for soothing.

Gentle gas relief

To help release trapped gas, gently bicycle the baby’s legs while they lie on their back, or press the knees toward the tummy for a few seconds. A light clockwise rub on the tummy with a clean hand can also be soothing. Skip any heat, pressed objects, or navel massage techniques.

When to suspect allergy

If the crying comes with a rash that won’t clear, blood or mucus in the stool, poor weight gain, or vomiting that is forceful and frequent, it’s time to talk to your pediatrician about a possible cow’s milk protein allergy.

When to seek urgent care

Call a doctor right away if the baby is breathing fast or with effort, has blue lips, a fever under three months, is unusually drowsy or floppy, or if you notice green or forceful vomiting, blood in stool, or a sudden change in crying pitch.

If reflux needs treatment

Most reflux in babies under a year resolves with time and the positioning steps we’ve discussed. If a pediatrician suspects a more serious reflux disease, they will decide whether any medication is needed after an exam.

Take care

For more details, read the full post on thecareonline.com. Remember, this isn’t medical advice, talk to your pediatrician for any concerns.