Helpful ideas for colic, reflux, and inconsolable crying (baby's, not yours)

My cousin Kristin and her hubby Scott had their first baby, Kenzie Grace! She's a gorgeous baby with the most amazing personality trait for a newborn......she smiles! A LOT! In many of her hospital photos, and even more of the pictures they've taken since, she has an actual, recognizable smile. No one would mistake it for gas. Unfortunately, she's retired the smile recently and taken up the habit of screaming inconsolably every day and making her mommy unhappy. Today I got a "HELP! What do I do?!" text from Kristin and since she didn't answer her phone when I called back to answer her question, I texted her back that I would email her some things I'd found to be useful when my big kids were babies. Some of these worked for colic, some for reflux, some for any kind of crying. Nothing works every time, and sometimes nothing works at all. None of this advice is meant to replace good medical care. Whenever a baby's screaming or inconsolable crying is new, get them seen by a doctor right away. And no matter what you do, NEVER SHAKE A BABY.  If you feel yourself losing control, put baby down in a clean, safe place like their crib, and call a friend, family member, or 911.

Tips for Colic/Reflux/Hysterical Crying

If you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance, they have a 24/7 nurse hotline. You can call them any time and ask any question on any topic as many times as you want, whenever you want. I miss them. They were invaluable when my kids were babies. There are a few more similar services online, but I don't know what the terms and conditions are.

Swaddling is really helpful for colic. Tight as possible, no arm movement. Side/stomach positioning in your arms (don't EVER put baby down like that in her crib, though). Shushing noises, swinging baby gently, and giving her a pacifier to suck on are also recommended.

If it's reflux and not colic, then holding baby straight up instead of lying her down in your arms or crib is essential. Reflux is like adult heartburn, it is acidic and painful. Upright positioning will let gravity help keep the acid down in tummy where the environment is more suitable for acidity. Trying to put her down for sleep in a more uprightish position in a car-seat is great, since she can be closer to you in your room and she is not lying down flat.

Ocean sounds helped Aidan a LOT. Play it kinda loud. This is perfect. Ocean Sound YouTube Video Some baby soothing crib toys have similar sounds as well, check at Amazon.com. Rain or running water sounds are good too.

Mike and Abigail preferred singing or rythmic talking. Just a constant low dialogue, like reading my email or their books out loud or singing kid songs. Some of those crib toys have both water sounds and music.

Lay her on her back on your lap with her head at your knees and "bicycle" her feet. This will help her get rid of trapped gas in her lower digestive system. Gas in her upper tract can be helped along by sitting her up on your lap, supporting her head/neck/chest in one hand and rubbing her back with the other. At least two of my kids burped better with an upright pat/rub combo than regular baby burping. Some people have reported success with Mylicon drops, which is a baby medicine drop for anti-gas. It never helped my own kids, unfortunately.

Take her in the bath with you. Warm but not hot, lots of bubbles. Just make sure she's wrapped well and not startled by a wave of cold air afterward or it will backfire.

Baby massage techniques are awesome. http://www.babycenter.com/slideshow-baby-massage This is a really helpful slideshow. You will probably end up using these ideas even when she's not crying.

This is something to think about any time a baby is crying and you don't know why. Check for a random single hair wrapped around a finger or toe (or in diaper, if baby is a boy).  This odd phenomenon happens more often than you would believe and is painful enough to cause inconsolable crying.

Last but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST: Remember to follow the "Airline Philosophy of Parenting": Always put your own oxygen mask on first. Follow good basic nutrition, exercise and sleep rules as much as possible in general, and get some personal time. But MOST especially when baby is colicky, sick or not sleeping well, it is important to take care of yourself. Take breaks. If she's crying non-stop, make sure she's safe, then PUT HER DOWN. Get a moment to get yourself together, use the restroom, eat, get hydrated, and meditate or pray, and do this at least once every couple of hours. Don't let her make you crazy; thats when we hurt ourselves or our babies without ever meaning to.  Call a neighbor, friend or relative to take a "shift" with the baby if it has gone on for a long time or multiple days. Pay a babysitter and go out with daddy or gal pals, or take baby out on a walk or for a drive or to a park.