Parenting: Colic Help

About one in six newborns suffers from colic, a mysterious ailment that causes bouts of unexplained, prolonged crying. One way stressed-out parents can cope is by helping to re-create the womb, says Dr. Harvey Karp, creator of “The Happiest Baby on the Block” book and DVD. Swaddling a baby tightly can make her feel like she’s back in the safety of her mom’s uterus. Using white noise, like that of a hair dryer or fan, can mimic the loud sound of blood flowing through a pregnant woman’s arteries. Every time a pregnant mom moves, she is swinging her baby, so keep the infant in motion through rocking, wearing her in a sling or riding in a car.

Soothing the baby with warm baths and warm washcloths on her belly may also remind her of life in the womb, says Tara Kompare, whose book, “The Colic Chronicles: A Mother’s Survival Guide to Calming Your Baby While Keeping Your Cool,” chronicles her experiences with her colicky daughter.

Parents don’t make babies colicky, so don’t feel guilty. And by the time a baby is 3 or 4 months old, colic almost always disappears. Until then, employ the above tactics, have Grandma step in once in a while and buy a good set of earplugs.

Written by Karen Springen, posted on May 31, 2008, at blog.newsweek.com