Some mothers are injured with babies that are easy to care for. It is a parent’s dream to have a healthy baby who sleeps well, smiles a lot, and doesn’t cause much trouble. Unfortunately, not all parents have it easy. Some parents have it difficult. That is the case when there is a colicky baby in the house.
A colicky newborn often means sleepless nights, exhausted nerves and endless worries for parents. Parents frantically go through the motions to try to figure out if there is something wrong with the baby. The baby is hungry? Is the baby too hot or too cold? Is it necessary to change the diaper? Is there something hurting the baby? Is the baby sick? Unfortunately, when it comes to infant colic, the relentless crying has no apparent cause. Long hours of inconsolable screaming leave parents drained of energy and struggling to stay sane. All they can think of is how to make the crying stop.
Although there are many home remedies for colic, such as swaddling, music, baby massage, white noise, baby clothes, and rocking chairs, most parents would generally consider medication as well.
Let’s take a look at what colic medications are available and how effective they are.
- colic drops– The active ingredient in the drops for colic is simethicone. What it does is remove excess gas from the baby’s stomach. With simethicone, small foam bubbles stick together to form larger bubbles. This makes it easier for the baby to burp. One thing to note is that simethicone helps remove air in the stomach but not the intestines. As you can see, by using this medicine, you are assuming that your baby’s colic is caused by the baby swallowing air while feeding. This may or may not be true. If you think this is the problem, here are some ways to reduce your baby’s swallowing of air: Change the nipple on the bottle to one that has a slower flow, and feed the baby upright. Although simethicone is relatively safe with few side effects, its effectiveness is questionable. It does not work for all colicky babies.
- grip water– Gripe water is basically a mixture of herbs in sterilized water. Common herbs used are catnip, caraway, ginger, chamomile, fennel, and mint. These herbs work to soothe the entire digestive system of the baby. Gripe Water has been the favorite colic remedy of many mothers throughout the centuries. Those who use it assume that the baby’s colic is due to stomach discomfort. When buying gripe water, parents should be careful when checking the ingredients. Make sure it is free of alcohol, baking soda, artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. Essential oils and herbal extracts must be processed in accordance with FDA guidelines. If it is not diluted correctly, it can be harmful to the baby. In the US market, the most popular cold water brands are ColicCalm, Colic Ease, Baby’s Bliss, and PediaCalm. Like colic drops, the effectiveness of gripe water depends on how the baby responds. Some parents call it “miracle water”, others render it useless. Some say that gripe water used to work for the older generation of parents because it contained alcohol. Now that most are alcohol-free, it doesn’t work as well anymore. It can also be a bit tricky to feed a newborn gripe water. The best way is to use an eyedropper. Whether gripe water is a good way to get rid of colic is still debatable.
If you visit a doctor hoping to get a prescription medication for colic, you may end up disappointed. There are antispasmodics and sedatives that can be prescribed, but they are not safe for your baby. Most doctors will advise on other ways to deal with colic.
The medical world has yet to determine the exact cause of colic. As such, there is no magic colic medicine that will work for all colicky babies. The most common belief among parents is that colic is due to excess gas in the baby’s belly. If you look at the colic medications listed above, they are all about relieving gas buildup in the baby’s abdomen. But infant colic is not always due to an upset stomach. Therefore, using these colic medications may not always work. It also depends on how the baby reacts to such medications. The effectiveness of a treatment for colic depends on the baby and not so much on the product used.
There are many ways to deal with colic. Finding the right colic remedy often requires trying different solutions. If you resort to any colic medication or natural remedy, be sure to consult with a pediatrician first.
