Raising a baby is hard work and no parent can deny it! Imagine this. You’ve changed them, fed them and cleaned them and yet, they are not even close to falling asleep.
In fact, you have been rocking them for hours and they are still crying and screaming and at this point, between your own lack of sleep and the helplessness you feel to make them calm down, you’re actually getting really worried. Is your little one Okay?
After all, no matter what you do, they just won’t stop wailing so there must be something wrong!
If you haven’t experienced this yet with your own bundle of joy or if you have already, the point is that you want to be prepared with a good colic remedy because that’s most likely what’s keeping both of you up all night long!
Pediatrician at Northwestern Children’s Practice, Dr. Rebecca Unger says that colic is pretty much a pattern of intense crying for at least 3 hours every day, at least 3 days per week and at least three weeks at a time!
All the excessive crying, gassiness and overall fussiness that come with this thing that most babies experience are exhausting for both baby and parent.
According to the AAP and Dr. Unger, about one fifth of babies develop true colic most likely between the second and fourth weeks of their lives so clinically, colic is much less common than most people think.
The symptoms become the worst around six weeks of age but they actually take between three to six months to go away for good.
However, as mentioned before, there is a way for parents to be well prepared and spare themselves all that struggle.
When you’re in that situation and your baby has been crying and screaming for hours and you feel more hopeless than ever, it may feel like an eternity and you are probably really worried as well!
If that’s the case, you should make sure to check in with your pediatrician so that they evaluate the infant and ensure that there are no other issues that put them in such distress.
Dr. Unger also recommends that you pay close attention to a whole day, from the moment the little one wakes up in the morning to the moment they fall asleep at night.
Of course, for newborns, it may be too early in their lives for a real schedule to be established but the expert still recommends putting together at least a loose pattern of wake and asleep times.
More precisely, it’s ideal that the baby gets put down to sleep before they get too tired and they should also take frequent naps in between.
This is a great strategy if you want your offspring to sleep better, be better rested and cry much less in general.
The expert explains that “A less than optimal pattern for your baby can lead to an excessive cycle of crying, which leads to gas, which leads to more fussiness.”
This is a vicious cycle that can fool parents into thinking their babies are struggling with colic even though that may as well not be the case since, as mentioned before, it is much rarer than most people think.
With that being said, when it’s confirmed that your baby is, indeed struggling with colic and won’t stop crying, you’ll be pleased to know that there are quite a few different available remedies meant to minimize gassiness and fussiness at the end of the day.
Of course, you’ll probably hear about a lot of home remedies from fellow parents who swear up and down that they work but you should know that most pediatricians do not recommend such products since there is no scientific proof for their efficiency.
Regardless, while they might not work, you can’t really go wrong if you want to give them a try as they are at least not harmful so if you are looking for something to calm your nerves all the while soothing your little one, give them a try!
So how do we choose the best colic remedies?
While you can always do a lot of research and follow anecdotal evidence to find over the counter remedies that parents have been recommending to one another online, this guide will actually provide you with a variety of options as well as links to where you can order them.
You can rest assured that all the selected products have been tested by professional groups and meet all of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
But before that, you might want to know more about colic!
What causes colic?
As it turns out, no one really knows the exact cause of this affliction that affects babies but, AAP explains that if a baby suffers from this, they are usually sensitive to stimulation and remain unable to regulate their own nervous system and self soothe.
At the same time, for breastfeeding babies, it is often a sign that they may be sensitive to the mother’s diet.
In other situations, colic may sometimes signal an underlying medical problem such as an illness or hernia.
It can also be linked to sleep problems. Dr. Unger says that when a baby is super tired, they tend to cry more which causes more gas to form which in turn, leads to more fussiness because it does not really allow them to sleep, starting the cycle all over again.
Some experts believe that gastrointestinal issues can play a big part in colic as well and you can help with that by feeding your little one upright, burping them and ensuring that they latch really well or that they have the right kind of bottle.
If you are not sure which type of bottle is the best for your baby, talk to a pediatrician and get their help figuring it out.
Finally, studies have also suggested that smoking can be a big cause as mothers who smoke either during their pregnancies or postpartum are more likely to have babies with colic symptoms.
Regardless of what causes this issue, a great number of parents swear by various remedies that supposedly help a lot with the crying and fussiness.
Such remedies usually come in the form of bottles with a dropper or oral syringes and they are made to help little ones with many different baby specific problems including upset stomachs, gas, hiccups, reflux and of course, colic.
There are also rectal gas passers – products that, as you may have figured out, help your infant pass gas.
This device is supposed to be used along with baby massage and other similar methods but you should probably talk to your doctor before deciding they are a good option for your little one.
Just make sure not to use this tool for baby fussiness in general.
How to soothe colic?
If you are breastfeeding, try to change your diet, getting rid of things like caffeine, milk products, onions, cabbage and other irritating foods.
If, on the other hand, you use formula to feed your infant, talk to your pediatrician about possibly switching to a protein hydrolysate formula.
Just keep in mind that this is a more extreme measure and, as per Dr. Unger, you should avoid taking it prematurely.
Furthermore, as previously mentioned, take a good look at your infant’s patterns of behavior throughout the day to figure out if there is anything about the schedule you can change to help them get better rest.
Other things you can try before taking more extreme measures are:
– Put on some white noise or soft music
– Massage your baby gently
– Take them on a walk outdoors
– Change their position
– Use a rhythmic motion to soothe them
– Swaddle them
– Give them a warm bath
– Give them a pacifier
If nothing else works, try well known and harmless remedies such as gripe water.
As mentioned before, such remedies are not 100 percent proven to work but they are also not harmful so you can use them without any concern.
If they have the potential to relieve your little one’s colic they are worth a try.
Well known remedies you can try out:
– Probiotics. As per the AAFP, Lactobacillus reuteri which is a type of probiotic, was efficient in 4 out of 5 clinical trials so it’s definitely worth a try.
– Gripe water is a liquid blend of herbs and many parents swear by it although there is no proof it can treat colic.
– Gas passers are devices that are also not proven colic remedies but seem to help eliminate extreme gassiness.
Now that you know a lot about colic, possible causes and remedies, here are some of the best products on the market that many parents swear by, in no particular order.
Just check them out and choose the one that is best for you and your baby.
- Gas + Colic Heating Pad for Natural Belly Relief by Frida Baby
- | Gentle Heat to Relax + Soothe Bellies | Instant Tummy Warmer | Soothe Colic Discomfort
This heating pad is able to soothe any baby struggling with colic by combining gentle heat and compression.
The effect is instant, allowing you to easily and quickly activate the heat and lasting for up to 20 minutes.
Not only that but you’ll be pleased to learn that the packs are actually reusable. All you have to do to use to soothe your little one another time is boil the heart packs in order to recharge them for whenever you need them again.
Another advantage of this product is the fact that it feels so comfortable, being super easy to hold and apply gentle compression all the while keeping the packs at a safe temperature.
- Windi Gas and Colic Reliever for Babies by Frida Baby
The Windi Gas and Colic Reliever for Babies by Frida Baby is best for helping digestion and comes with the benefit of constipation control.
It was invented by a pediatric gastroenterologist so you know it’s something you can trust with your infant.
At its core, it is a hollow tube that is able to naturally, instantly and safely relieve gas.
It’s long enough to reach past the sphincter, relaxing the muscle that traps the gas but comes with a stopper so you don’t accidentally push it in too much.
This is an all natural item as no ingestible or drops are needed which means it’s a great alternative if you are trying to avoid using any chemicals on your baby.
Finally, it is sanitary, BPA and latex free and you will receive 10 single use tubes per pack.
- Gerber Good Start Soothe Comforting Probiotic Drops
The Gerber Good Start Soothe Comforting Probiotic Drops are probiotic drops designed to support your bundle of joy’s digestive health.
The drops contain L. reuter, a probiotic that has been proven to significantly reduce babies’ crying time and spitting and is safe since it is similar to probiotics that are naturally found in breast milk.
All you have to do is either give it to your little one with a spoon or add a few drops to their milk bottle.
While many parents recommend this product, you should still talk to your pediatrician before using probiotics on your infant and see if they recommend it for your particular case.
“My pediatrician recommended Gerber Soothe, and they seem to be helping my little guy,” one reviewer says.
“My daughter had reflux and gas issues and the Gerber Soothe drops definitely made a difference. They were recommended by my lactation consultant as well as by a friend of mine who’s a microbiologist. They’re expensive, but they helped my baby sleep better,” another parent shared.
It is recommended for all babies between 0 and 12 months of age.
- Baby Colic, Gas and Upset Stomach Relief – Belly Hugger – A Soothing Warmth Combined with Gentle Compression
The Belly Hugger is great if you are looking for some efficient relief for your little one’s colic and gas problems.
This comes in the form of a gel pack that is super helpful with gas, tummy aches, constipation and of course, colic.
This item provides not just heat but also icy relief, allowing you to use it as cold treatment for swelling, bruises, scratching and more other small injuries like that.
It is recommended not just by many parents but also by medical experts so you can rest assured it’s efficient and safe.
Furthermore, it’s perfect for parents who would rather not use medicine or drops but something external to soothe their little ones whenever they are struggling with colic.
It is designed with an adjustable Velcro in order to allow you the ideal compression level on the baby’s tummy.
It fits everyone between the ages of 0 and 12 months of age.
Finally, you’ll be pleased to find out that if you are not satisfied, the manufacturer ensures 365-day money back guarantee so you really have nothing to lose by purchasing this product.
- Boiron Coliccomfort Baby Colic Relief Medicine Drops White, Unflavored, 0.034 Fl Oz (Pack of 30), 1.02 Fl Oz
The Boiron Coliccomfort Baby Colic Relief Medicine Drops contains Benzocaine and is preservative-free.
It comes in sterile, single-use liquid oral doses and is recommended for all babies older than one month.
This homeopathic solution comes in boxes of 15 doses.
- Mommy’s Bliss Baby Probiotic Drops with Colic Support
The Mommy’s Bliss Baby Probiotic Drops with Colic Support are specially formulated to reduce crying and soothe babies with colic.
It is unflavored and colorless as well as GMO free, vegan and contains no artificial flavoring.
This product is formulated with a probiotic blend that is proven to comfort your babies who struggle with colic and cry for hours.
The recommended serving of 5 drops per day is clinically proven to help with your little one’s crying.
The container comes with an easy-to-use squeeze dropper that makes administering the drops super easy while being gentle with your infant’s mouth.
At the same time, you could squeeze a few drops onto a spoon and feed them to your bundle of joy, put it into your baby formula or even apply the drops directly to the breast while breastfeeding. The choice is all yours!
It does not require refrigeration.
- Garden of Life Baby Probiotics, 4 Billion CFU Organic Liquid Probiotic
The Garden of Life Baby Probiotics is vegan, gluten free, certified organic, soy free and GMO free.
It contains 7 total probiotic strains, 4 billion CFU.
Furthermore, it’s super safe as it contains no sweeteners, chemicals, artificial dyes or flavors.
- Premium Baby Colic Probiotic Drops
These Premium Baby Colic Probiotic Drops are unflavored and certified organic.
It helps with reducing crying episodes thanks to its patented probiotic formula.
The results have been clinically demonstrated, showing that the product supports a healthy microflora that is able to reduce the length of crying episodes that are usually linked to gas, fussiness and colic problems.
It contains 2 unique strains of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Bifidobacterium longum.
Both of these strains have been selected due to the fact that they do not product gas in the gut as proven by in vitro studies.
After all, incorrect strains can actually cause the opposite effect sometimes.
As for how to use it, all you have to do is add 5 drops of this product to your baby’s breastmilk or formula. Make sure not to insert the dropper into the baby’s mouth.
It has a unique mechanism that other probiotics do not share, improving microfloral diversity and encouraging the good strains of bacterial all the while doing the opposite with the bad bacteria.
In fact, this product is formulated with certain strains to survive even under harsh gastrointestinal tract conditions.
It’s made in an Italian facility that respects all Good Manufacturing Practices and the product is also routinely tested by a third party to check for heavy metals, potency and micros so you can trust that your little one is getting only the best and safest help.
- Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops
The Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops contain Simethicone and are mostly used to alleviate pain.
More precisely, it is able to relieve tummy aches caused by excess gas from food or swallowing air quickly.
It works in only minutes and the formula is safe and gentle on your little one’s sensitive stomach.
It contains no artificial dyes, alcohol or parabens.
There is also no sugar, high fructose corn syrup and the berry flavor is natural.
It’s safe for use on newborns and recommended by pediatricians.
- Gerber Good Start, Baby Probiotic Drops
The Gerber Good Start comes in the form of drops and contains clinically studied probiotic L. reuteri that are scientifically proven to ease colic as well as frequent spit ups and crying fits.
It is non GMO and the probiotics used are actually really similar to those naturally found in breastmilk so you can rest assured that it’s 100 percent safe.
The probiotic supplements can improve and encourage the production of good bacteria in the digestive system.
Using these drops is safe for newborns and made with trustworthy ingredients.
- Mommy’s Bliss Original Gripe Water
Mommy’s Bliss Original Gripe Water contains Organic Ginger and Fennel Extracts and is a product used to improve digestion in little babies.
It comes in liquid form and is able to relieve tummy discomfort caused by colic, gas and hiccups.
One bottle contains 2 – 4 fl oz of liquid and is recommended for infants over the age of 2 weeks.
This is one of the best selling herbal remedies for colic relief and can also ease other tummy problems that may be causing your bundle of joy discomfort and leading to hours long crying fits.
Picking this product will mean returning to some peace and calm for both the baby and parents!
It is safe and gentle since it is made with organic ginger and fennel.
The ingredients are all great quality, 100 percent vegan and free from all artificial flavoring and coloring, gluten, sucrose, yeast, dairy, soy, dill, parabens, alcohol and petroleum based by-products.
Furthermore, it is also free of the most common allergens!
It is also NSF certified and independently tested to meet all the required safety and quality standards as well as all of its label claims so you know you can trust it with your little one’s health.
- Mylicon Gas Relief Drops for Infants and Babies
The Mylicon Gas Relief Drops for Infants and Babies come in liquid form and are safe for infants and babies.
It is able to gently break down the infant’s gas bubbles, providing them with instant relief.
The recommended dosage for young ones under the age of 2 years old or under 24 pounds is 0.3 mL.
As for those over the age of 2 or 24 pounds, the appropriate dose is 0.6 mL.
While it’s completely safe, you should still make sure to keep children away from this product as to avoid the danger of overdosing.
- Thermikoa-Baby Heating Pad for Belly for Gas and Colic Relief-Cushion for Newborn with Lavender
The Thermikoa-Baby Heating Pad is another perfect option if you are a parent or caretaker looking for something that can be used on the outside of your little one’s body instead of giving them drops to drink.
It’s more than ideal for newborns and thanks to the seeds it features and the sensation of warmth it provides, this baby heating pad is able to relieve the colic caused by breastfeeding.
All you have to do is place it on your little one’s abdomen to help them relax and fall asleep instead of crying for hours.
Not only does this cushion help with colic but it can also be used to warm up the crib.
Furthermore, it’s just as useful for the mother since you can apply it to the breast to relieve some of the pain caused by breastfeeding.
And since you can use it cold as well, it’s useful when the little one has a fever or to reduce local aches from toothaches or vaccinations.
The design is 100 percent natural and the cover is washable.
It is filled with seeds of wheat as well as lavender flowers that help with relaxing your little one and soothing their colic.
Using it is super easy as well! All you need to do is heat up the cushion with or without its cover in the microwave for about 5 seconds. If you want it extra hot, you can leave it for 5 seconds more.
Make sure you do not place it directly onto the skin but instead on the outside of the clothes.
To ensure the utmost safety, read the instructions carefully before using it for the first time.
This product can be used as many times as you want and, as mentioned before, it is useful for both babies and parents.
Thanks to its multi-purpose design, you can use it to relieve stomach pain, belly pain, neck pain and more!
It provides you and your family with natural pain relief without the need to use medicine or products that feature cables to heat up.
- Colief Infant Digestive Aid | Gas Drops for Babies
The Colief Infant Digestive Aid may just be what you are looking for if your baby tends to fuss and cry a lot.
This product is made to reduce their crying and help them fall asleep faster, feel better and be more rested.
This is a natural, safe remedy that can temporarily treat lactose intolerance in infants who suffer from colic.
It is able to relieve all digestive discomfort, even when severe, as well as gas and bloating caused by the undigested lactose in their food.
This is thanks to the lactase enzyme in it that can break down the lacrosse found in your little one’s formula or breast milk.
It is safe for use from birth so if you have a newborn, there is no reason to worry and it can even be used with every feeding.
All you have to do is add a few drops to the warm formula or breast milk.
It’s one of the most popular products out there and has been recommended by both happy parents and medical experts for over 20 years.
It has been clinically proven to reduce babies’ crying by up to 45 percent in over a third of all babies suffering from colic symptoms.
- Maxi-Health Homeopathic Gripe Water for Babies – Infant Colic, Hiccup, Gas Relief
The Maxi-Health Homeopathic Gripe Water for Babies is not only great for soothing colic symptoms but also for diarrhea.
It comes in drops form and can relieve all kinds of belly trouble including bloating, gas, hiccups and fussiness by quickly dissolving all those uncomfortable bubbles.
It is easy to use via the dropper or just by mixing a few drops in with your formula, milk or water.
Using this product can improve your little one’s sleeping patterns which is good for everyone involved, including the exhausted new parents!
It is fast acting and perfect even for the most sensitive of little stomachs.
The drops are free of additives, parabens and gluten and will not cause any diarrhea or any other type of stomach discomfort.
The drops are also vegetarian friendly, kosher certified and doctor formulated to ensure their efficiency and safety.
- Mother Sparsh Tummy Roll On for Baby
The Mother Sparsh Tummy Roll On is perfect for improving your little one’s digestion in general, leading to better sleep and less crying and fussing.
Thanks to it coming in roll on form, it can be used on the whole body and this item includes two products with every order!
This is an Ayurvedic solution for all infants who struggle with colic, indigestion, or constipation, relieving all pain quickly and gently.
