Calming a Fussy Baby
Crying often is related to hunger, and feeding is the obvious solution.
However, periods of crying, with no obvious cause and no ready
cure plague many parents. Here are a few suggestions. Give
several a try. One may work today and another may work tomorrow.
Be flexible and know that "this too will end."
| Symptoms:
| Possible
causes
(may be more than one):
|
| Periods of inconsolable
crying |
Immature
gastro-intestinal system |
| Clenching fists |
Sensitive
nervous system |
| Drawing legs up to
abdomen |
Excessive
gas or overfeeding |
| Stiffening as if in pain |
Formula
intolerance |
| Passing gas |
Reaction to
foods the breastfeeding mother has eaten |
| Grimacing |
Overstimulation |
Possible Remedies:
- Motion in any form:
- Walking
- Baby swing
- Rock in rocking chair
- Rocking side to side
while standing
- Ride in the car or in a
stroller
- Carry baby in infant
sling
- Over-the-counter gas relief
drops (Gripe Water)
- Singing
- White sound (running water,
vacuum, clothes dryer, hair dryer)
- Swaddle your baby snugly
- Undress your baby and allow
complete freedom of motion
- Avoid overstimulation from
noises, lights or motion
- Distract the baby with
different sounds, sights or places
- Place pressure on your
baby's abdomen (gently)
- Hold baby in the "colic
hold" (facing floor, supported by your arm, heel of your
hand putting pressure on the abdomen)
- Hold baby over your
shoulder or over your knees
- Bicycle your baby's legs
- Keep a food diary to
determine if a particular food bothers your baby
- Talk to a lactation
consultant who may suggest feeding on only one breast per
feeding or other techniques to balance the "foremilk" and "hindmilk"
your baby obtains while breastfeeding.
- Take a break; let someone
else try for a while.
Lactation Education Resources, Fairfax, VA 22031
Email us at:
Prenatal-Class@leememorial.org or call
343-5186 to
speak with a CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANT. |
