Baby Colic - What Is It & How Can I Help My Baby?

Posted by Kerry Nevins on December 28, 2022

Have you just started a new routine with your newborn and all of a sudden, they start fussing and crying for hours each evening? Welcome to one of the most challenging aspects of parenting a baby: colic.

While colic sounds like a disease, it’s simply the name for excessive crying during a baby’s first few months. The good news is that colic typically lasts until the baby is about three months old, then magically disappears. However, this is also the bad news. A few months of trying to soothe a colicky baby through the evening can seem like a long time.

What is Colic?

Colic in babies, otherwise known as infant colic, is episodes of crying that may last for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week. The crying frequently happens in the late afternoon or evening. As you get to know your baby well, you learn to check for the apparent causes of distress when they cry. Are they hungry? Are they hot or cold? Does their diaper need to be changed? Are they over-stimulated? A baby with colic might be crying for one of those reasons. Or they may be crying for a reason you can’t understand.

new born crying

How to soothe a baby with colic?

Once you've assessed your baby’s physical needs, you should transition into comforting mode and employ whatever method they prefer. Because all babies are unique, what works for one baby may not work for another. Here are some ways to soothe a baby with colic:

Hold and cuddle your baby.
Walk with your baby.
Swaddle your baby in a soft blanket.
Sing and talk softly to your baby.
Sway back and forth while you hold your baby, or find other ways to rock them gently. A swing calms some babies.
Gently rub your baby’s back.
Change your baby’s position: Sit them up if they have been lying down, or hold them facing outwards if they have been facing your chest already.
Hold your baby near low, rhythmic noises, like the sound of the washing machine or a heartbeat sound. The steady hum of a fan or a white noise machine can also be soothing.
Go for a ride in the car. The motion and noise of a car ride help to calm some babies.
Give your baby a pacifier. Many babies are calmed by sucking, and a pacifier can satisfy this need between feedings.

This may be a very trying time for you and your baby, but thankfully, colic has a lifespan, so there is no need to lose hope if your baby is experiencing it. It usually peaks at around six weeks and generally starts to get better when your baby is between 10 and 12 weeks old. By about four months of age, colic will typically begin to subside.

How Can The Babocush Help Soothe My Colicky Baby?

The number one function of the babocush is to offer comfort and contentment to newborn babies. The comfort cushion is designed to replicate lying on a parent's chest and creates a soothing sanctuary for even the fussiest babies. With gentle vibrations and soft heartbeat sounds, the babocush will offer your baby a calm and reassuring environment that will help them settle down in no time. This is incredibly beneficial to parents and babies alike, alleviating discomfort or pain for little ones whilst giving moms and dads some hands-free assistance. Giving your baby some time on the babocush to soothe them rather than constantly holding or rocking them will give you a chance to relax with a cup of tea or to get on top of some household chores.