The use of an anti-colic bottle is essential to fight against this scourge which blights your child's daily life from birth. But in this article, Elhée has chosen to compile for you 20 additional tips to implement to relieve your baby of these digestive ailments and minimize the risk of colic.
1. Massage the stomach to reduce colic
To relieve your baby of his stomach pain , you can describe small circles with your fingertips around his navel, after lying him on his back. To facilitate the massage, use organic oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, calendula or sweet almond oil.
2. Hold baby upright after each meal
To allow your baby to burp, it is in your best interest to hold him vertically in your arms for at least 20 minutes. This technique also helps limit regurgitation and the development of internal reflux, which is very painful for your little one.
Prop his head high enough in your neck so that his stomach can rest against the hollow of your shoulder, at the level of your collarbone. The pressure exerted will facilitate the evacuation of digestive gases.
3. Use a slow-flow physiological teat with your anti-colic bottle
When you use your anti-colic bottle, check that the pacifier has a slow flow to limit the influx of air into your baby's mouth. It is customary to say that breastfeeding reduces the risk of colic in infants.
Breastfeeding allows your baby to regulate the flow on his own. However, some breast-fed babies will still suffer from colic while others bottle-fed do not suffer from it at all.
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4. A hot water bottle on your baby's stomach
While remaining vigilant about the temperature (neither too hot nor too cold), be careful not to flood your baby's bodysuit because of a poorly closed cap. You can heat the contents of a hot water bottle and apply it to your baby's stomach to relax their abdominal muscles.
This tip is also very appreciated by women during their periods and particularly during attacks of endometriosis. You can also calm contractions occurring during your postpartum period this way.
5. Lay baby on his arm during colic attacks
This technique, well known to grandparents, consists of placing your baby face down on your forearm. Baby can more easily mobilize his legs and pelvis, which allows him to relieve his pain by helping him to expel the air contained in his intestines.
Don't hesitate to walk around the house singing lullabies to him. If the atmosphere is slightly subdued, this will help your child relax. But be careful not to trip yourself up!
6. Eat Healthy When Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding or breastfeeding, certain foods should be avoided as they increase the risk of developing colic in your baby. Coffee, dairy products made from cow's milk, spices should be avoided...
Limit foods that are too fatty: such as fries or dishes with sauce, and favor green vegetables (beans, peas, spinach, salads, etc.).
In case of cravings, do not hesitate to eat dried fruits. In addition to reducing your deficiencies in vitamins, fatty acids and trace elements, they represent a much healthier alternative to cakes and biscuits.
7. Use a baby carrier or sling
Throughout the world, carrying is a very widespread technique.
Its benefits are numerous: they reduce anxiety in your baby and allow him to relax. This action therefore significantly reduces the risk of colic. In addition, baby can sleep snuggled up against you and have access to the breast on demand, which promotes breastfeeding and lactation. No need to run after your child anymore, he’s right under your nose…
Portaging is also an excellent means of transportation! Say goodbye to the bulk of a refractory stroller that you have to constantly fold, unfold, lift because of steps, and where you can't always clearly see what the baby is doing.
8. Do osteopathy sessions
Osteopathy, strongly recommended for women who have just given birth, allows certain parts of the body, muscular or bony, to be replaced in order to correct its position and reduce possible pain.
In babies, it can also work miracles. The baby's prolonged position in your stomach does not always allow his digestive organs to be properly positioned and the air may have difficulty circulating properly.
Sometimes, it is the passage during childbirth itself that causes upheavals on your child's skeleton. Using a suction cup or forceps can also be traumatic, both for you and for your baby's body.
Thanks to very gentle manipulations, an osteopath can help your child release tension by correcting their posture.
9. Consult in homeopathy
Whether you believe it or not, homeopathy for babies comes in the form of small beads to melt in a little water or in a bottle, preferably silicone.
You can ask your midwife or early childhood consultant for advice on plants that can relieve baby of infant colic. (Chamomilla Vulgaris 5CH, Colocynthis 5CH, Lycopodium 5CH)
These natural treatments are both preventive and curative: they can be used before a long car trip which can stress the baby or in the event of a digestive crisis, insomnia, separation anxiety, shock and hematoma.
10. Give baby herbal tea using its anti-colic bottle
Infusions aren't just for old ladies! And yet, this is indeed a grandmother's remedy... Fennel and lemon balm are plants that calm your baby's digestive spasms. Try giving him some in a little milk if baby does not accept the taste of this concoction. You can also grow and dry the herbs yourself.
11. Start dietary diversification before six months
But not before asking your pediatrician for advice! Introducing solid foods can reduce colic in your baby. As young parents, it's a real relief when the crying stops and the nights get better.
12. Green clay juice in your anti-colic bottle
We know it as a mask on the face... But did you know that letting a tablespoon of clay decant in a glass of water for 24 hours allows you to obtain a very effective juice against colic?
The quantity ingested by your baby should not exceed a few milliliters. Otherwise, it could cause constipation since it is also an excellent remedy for diarrhea.
To do this, you can use a pipette to give your baby a drink. The powder should not be absorbed. Choose a clay, preferably organic, in herbalism.
13. Order gummy julep
The gummy julep is a very old preparation, made of lime water and gum arabic. You can give a spoonful to your child before each feeding.
The gummy julep can be ordered at the pharmacy or made yourself. It keeps for a week in the fridge and also helps against your baby's reflux.
14. Get a prescription for probiotics
The objective of probiotics is to rebuild the intestinal flora. However, in babies born for example by cesarean section or prematurely, this has not had time to be colonized by the mother's vaginal flora. It may be interesting to contact the PMI nearest to you if you are in one or other of these situations.
15. Orange blossom in an anti-colic bottle
If you are not convinced by the methods set out above, perhaps pouring a few drops of orange blossom into your child's bottle will give you hope! Its good smell and its comforting properties also promote children's sleep. Do not exceed the quantity of half a teaspoon per day.
16. Practice skin-to-skin contact
Skin-to-skin contact is one of the first situations you encounter when you become a mother. Most often in the maternity ward, skin-to-skin contact establishes the first extra-uterine life link between the child and its mother. Body heat instantly soothes intestinal pain. Snuggled up against his mother, baby would almost forget his pain! And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?
17. Change your formula
Sometimes powdered milk is not suitable. Sometimes you have to test several brands before finding the rare gem. Your child may also be intolerant to cow's milk protein (CMP). In this case, you will need to opt for a different milk after consulting your doctor.
18. Anti-colic reducers
Some brands offer anti-colic reducers that have a belly belt system. This device acts as a massager and exerts pressure on the baby's stomach when he sleeps, thus relieving him of this pain. Some models have the particularity of having pockets intended to house a small hot water bottle. Baby's legs are usually elevated with a foam roller.
However, these reducers are regularly criticized by health and early childhood professionals. According to them, the risk of SIDS would be increased when using these accessories. Elhée therefore advises you to only use these systems under permanent supervision.
19. The position of the “little Buddha”
This position consists of “grouping” baby by seating him in your arms, facing the world. One hand placed under his buttocks and the other placed against his chest, your thumb and index finger holding his chin and shoulders so that his head does not move forward. The rest of your fingers can lightly massage her little belly.
This position reminds newborns of the fetal position and reassures them. For curious babies, it's also a great way to distract them by bringing them face to face with something new.
20. Equip yourself with an anti-colic bottle
This is the basics for reducing colic in your infant. But if you are not yet equipped with one, there is still time to invest in an anti-colic bottle, preferably in medical grade silicone (BPA and Phthalate free).
Please note that different sizes are possible depending on age. It is dishwasher safe and resistant to bain-marie temperatures. Thanks to its excellent grip and its anti-colic system, the innovative bibRond from Elhée prevents your little one from swallowing air.
It reproduces a suction close to breastfeeding thanks to its teat imitating the shape of your nipple. Its ergonomic design also contributes to your baby's awakening.
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By opting for an anti-colic bottle, you significantly limit the risk of colic in your child. As a second intention, remember to use all the tricks mentioned in this article to overcome it! These tend to dissipate as soon as dietary diversification arrives. Of course, and if in doubt about the origin of the symptoms, obtain medical advice quickly.
