6 natural ways to cope with colic

Holding your baby as upright as possible during feedings and pausing regularly to burp them may help reduce wind. For burping, lay the baby a little higher that you normally would, so that your chest is gently pushing against their stomach. Lean slightly forward so that the head is leaning back just a little, making it easier to unleash the burp. You want to tap on the lower back at first, then slowly move to the upper back. Keep patting until at least 3 burps have been released (there’s often more trapped air in there than you think!) In severe cases of colic, you may have to lift baby's arms a few times and repeat.

Numerous studies indicate the gut flora to be imbalanced in infants suffering from colic, with increased concentrations of gas forming bacteria and often fewer levels of beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifido species. A balanced gut flora is important in infants to assist in the digestion of milk, regular healthy bowel movements and absorption of nutrients. Live bacteria supplements have been shown to help rebalance the gut flora and have shown positive results in improving symptoms of colic. For example, the 7 strains of bacteria, plus prebiotics (a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut) in Bio-Kult Infantis (£12 www.tesco.com) have been shown in a clinical trial to help manage symptoms of colic in infants from 2 weeks old, significantly reducing crying times when compared to placebo, without reported side-effects.

This approach involves a series of rhythmic calming techniques, which studies have shown when used together can improve sleep or reduce crying:
Swaddling - safe swaddling (carefully avoiding overheating) by covering the head, using bulky or loose blankets, and allowing the hips to be flexed.
Side or stomach - holding a baby on the back is the safest position for sleep, but it is the worst position for calming a fussy baby.
Shhh sound - making a strong shush sound near the baby's ear.
Swinging - with tiny jiggly movements (no more than 1inch back and forth) always supporting the head and neck.
Sucking - Letting the baby suckle on the breast, your clean finger or a pacifier.

Where symptoms do not improve after trying the above, if breastfeeding you may want to look at your own diet and consider removing gassy foods such as cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions and common allergens such as gluten, wheat, dairy, peanuts and soy for a short while to see if there is any improvement. Infants of mothers who smoke during pregnancy or after delivery have a greater risk of developing colic. So if you do smoke, this is another good reason to quit.

Interestingly, a lower incidence of colic symptoms has been noted with increased support from family members and friends, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Support groups, such as Cry-sis, can also offer help and advice if you need it. You can contact the Cry-sis helpline for advice on 0845 122 8669 (9am-10pm, seven days a week).