What is Colic?
Colic is abdominal Pain which occurs suddenly and accompanies with many symptoms. This phenomenon usually happens in any age group of children, from 2-3 months old to 13-14 years old.
Colic may be a symptom of many diseases (in abdominal cavity or whole body) from mild to extremely dangerous level such as parasitic infections, allergies or food poisoning, intussusception, organ rupture, etc. Knowing the specific manifestations of each disease will help parents apply appropriate treatment to ensure the safety of children.
What causes Colic?
- Colic is a manifestation of acute abdominal pain. Although this is rare, it requires parents to always stay alert.
- Baby colic caused by diarrhea may be self-treated at home if parents are able to handle diarrhea [1].
- The most common cause of chronic abdominal pain is infection with roundworm. The degree of pain is low and there is no significant impact on the health of the baby [2] [3].
- Abdominal pain which appears several days is commonly caused by infection. Parents can be assured that colic will disappear completely when the baby gets rid of infection.
Symptoms of Colic
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Abdominal pain makes the baby hard to move.
- Abdominal pain accompanies with vomiting.
- Hard abdomen, abdominal pain when touched and resistance (abdominal wall muscles shrink).
- Baby shows symptoms of sickness, rapid deterioration of health, lethargy or irritability, panic.
Here are the top 21 most effective home remedies for colic which you can easily apply at home in order to eliminate the pain from your kids and make your kids comfortable…
1. Warm Bath
Warm bath can help your Baby get relief soon in the colicky times and make them quickly fall into sleep.
Prepare a bathtub and fill it full with warm water. Drop into the water some drops of lavender oil and stir well. Then put your baby into the bath and gently massage the tummy so that he/she can get relief from trapped gas. Finally take the baby out of the bath and dry him/her with a soft towel.
2. Warm compress
Warm compress will act very effectively in helping the baby get rid of the pain.
Pour warm water into a basin. Then soak a soft towel into the water and remove the excess water. Gently apply the towel onto the baby’s tummy or rub in circular motions for about 3-5 minutes. Let the towel sit on until the temperature is reduced.
Apply this remedy twice a day to gain better result. Read more: Home Remedies For Mosquito Bites.
3. Oil Massage
This home remedy is amazing in the fight against colic. It not only keeps your baby warm but also supports proper digestion and prevents gas. It is one of the best Home Remedies for Gas Pain in Babies as we stated in the website.
Take some drops of warmed olive oil. Use your hand to apply this oil on your baby’ tummy and gently massage in circular motions. Then continue the process in other regions such as cage, pelvis, hands and feet. Read more: Home Remedies For Diaper Rash.
This remedy should be repeated several times in a day to see the improvement.
4. Knee Pushing Exercise
Knee pushing exercise is necessary for ensuring smooth digestion. It is also very helpful in relieving pain of colic.
Let you baby lie down. Hold the knees and slowly bends the legs toward the knees. After that, push them toward the tummy. Repeat the process 4-6 times whenever you do this exercise for your baby. This method should be taken daily.
5. Burp your baby
Burping will help your baby get rid of the gas that can cause colic pain and prevent indigestion.
After you feed your baby, let your baby sit upright and gently rub his/her back and tummy. Keep rubbing until there is a small burping sound from your baby.
Follow the method whenever your baby finishes the meal to prevent colic.
6. Asafetida
Asafetida is considered as one of home remedies for colic that can work as an anti-flatulent method and support digestion as well as relieve gas [4].
Add an amount of asafetida to water to make a solution. Boil this solution and let it cool down. After that, apply this solution around your baby’s navel; avoid putting it in the navel. Take this remedy 2-3 times per day
Alternatively, if your baby starts to eat solid foods, you can mix this powder with food and make him/her eat.
7. Basil
Basil is very rich of eugenol which has antispasmodic and sedative properties. These can help remove gas and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal discomforts.
Take a teaspoon of dried basil and put them into a cup of hot water. Let it be soaked for at least 10 minutes. Then let the water be cool down and take it for your baby to drink. Each time, an amount of 1-2 teaspoons is recommended.
Alternatively, grind 1 teaspoon of basil and add water to form a paste. Place this paste on the around navel regions. Wait until the paste becomes dry naturally and remove with water and wipe your baby.
8. Fennel Seeds
Fennel is a kind of herb that has amazing properties in alleviating general stomachache and relieving gas [5][6].
Crush a teaspoon of fennel seeds and add to 1 cup of hot water. Leave it for at least 10 minutes then strain. Take ½ – 1 teaspoon of this tea and give to your baby.
This home remedy should be taken 3 times daily.
9. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can be very effective in eliminating colic thanks to its antispasmodic and sedative properties [7][8].
How to do:
- Take a half teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers and put them into a cup of hot water.
- Leave it for about 10 minutes then strain.
- Wait until the tea becomes cool down and feed this tea to your baby with the suitable amount of 1 teaspoon.
Apply this remedy 2-3 times a throughout the day.
10. Yogurt
As stated by the University of Bari, Italy, in some studies, if babies receive a large number of probiotics, they will be less likely to experience colic. In addition, yogurt is one of the most available and popular sources of probiotics without side effects. It is completely suitable for children and even adults to speed up the colic treatment.
The recommendation here is to let the baby eat about 1 teaspoon of yogurt 2-3 times on the daily basis. Yogurt is well-known for its positive impacts on our digestive and immune system at the same time.
11. Grapes
Grapes have many amazing benefits, especially when you have problems of indigestion. They are usually recommended as one of the best desserts to improve the health. Grapes provide a number of minerals and vitamins that quickly boost the digestion and immunity of babies.
Children and babies might find it hard to consume raw grapes. In this case, you can turn them into the juice and let your baby use 1 teaspoon a few times every day.
12. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another tip on how to treat colic is apple cider vinegar whose benefits for human digestive system are scientifically accepted.
However, one thing that is important for colic baby relief is the acidic quality of apple cider vinegar. It should never be used solely because of potential threats to our health, not only baby’s. Therefore, every time you intend to use it for treating signs of colic in babies, you have to mix it with warm water (some teaspoons in a cup of water).
13. Orange
One of the incredible natural home remedies for colic newborns is orange because of other health benefits it provides. For years, we have been familiar with its excellent content of vitamin C. With this vitamin only, orange has surpassed thousands of fruits, regarding the improvements in the digestion and immunity.
To help your baby overcome colic quickly, you should get fresh orange juice for their consumption. Just combine this one with other tips on how to sooth a colic baby.
14. Peppermint
Peppermint helps reducing the level of pain caused by colic thanks to its calming and antispasmodic properties [9].
Mix 2 drops of peppermint oil with 1 teaspoon of baby massage oil. Use gentle cicular motions to massage your baby’s abdominal area with this mixture. Do this 2 times a day to help your baby get relief.
15. Canola Oil
Canola oil is another effective home remedy for colic.
Take some canola oil and heat up. After that, let the oil cool down at the normal temperature and make your baby eat this before he/she having meal.
The oil will prevent the forming of gas in the stomach.
16. Onion Tea
Onion is also used as one of effective home remedies for colic. This remedy can help your baby get relief from colic immediately and prevent its onset.
Chop some onions and put it into water. Add some pepper mint and honey to this. Boil the mixture. Wait for the water becomes cool and then strain. Take 1-2 teaspoon of this concoction for your baby to drink.
17. Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds not only act as an aid in digestion abut also help reduce the impact of colic.
Soak 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds in a glass of hot water. Keep soaking overnight for the best effect. Strain at the next morning. Take a few teaspoons of this tea to feed your baby.
Feed your baby several times a day with this tea to see the result soon.
18. Carom Seeds
Carom seeds are effective in reducing the level of pain causing by tummy ache. Your baby will get relief as soon as you apply this method.
The way to apply carom seeds is similar to cumin seeds. Take a teaspoon of carom seeds and put it into a cup of water. Boil this and let it be cool down. Keep soaking overnight and then strain the water. Each time, take a teaspoon of this kind of water to feed your baby. Repeat the process several times a day.
19. Cardamom
Cardamom has been widely used to cope with many issues related to the digestion, namely, cramping or bloating. Incredibly, it is also one of the best natural home remedies for colic in both adults and babies, thanks to its soothing property.
How to apply:
- Pour about 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder in a cup of boiling water
- You should steep the mixture in about 10 minutes
- Wait until the mixture becomes warm or cool
- Mothers are suggested to consume 1-2 teaspoons per time and repeat a few times per day
20. Carrot
Undeniably, carrot is one of the best vegetables that you always want to include in your meals. It is nutritious and super beneficial for our health. Containing many healthy nutrients, carrot has great influence on our digestive system and you can use it as a colic baby relief as well.
If children can consume raw carrot, let them take it in the meal. In case you have to take care of baby, let him or her use its fresh juice.
21. Coke or Pepsi
A little amount of Coke or Pepsi can help your baby feel better when he/she is suffering from colic pain.
These kinds of soft drinks may have effects in helping your baby get relief from gas in tummy.
Take 1-2 teaspoons of Coke or Pepsi to feed your baby. Notice that do not abuse or they can be harmful to your baby. After that, burp and sit your baby up to relieve the gas.
These home remedy are worth to try as they may help your baby to calm down whenever he/she has colic. However, if they didn’t work, you should consider seeing your pediatrician to help your baby get relief soon.
How to Prevent Colic
Without a specific cause for colic, it is a challenging task to find out how to prevent colic in every case. Nevertheless, it does not mean that you cannot do anything to protect your baby from this problem. The bottom line in this issue is that mothers have to be well-aware of their conditions. Even after the baby comes to life, he or she is still dependent on mother as the main source of nutrients. With a healthy and balanced diet, mother will ensure that her baby avoids colic to the fullest extent.
