In this interview, colic expert Julie Buck discusses 9 proven solutions for help your baby to stop crying. NOTE: Any type of baby cry remedy should always be used in consultation with your pediatrician or family doctor.
Click on the play button below to hear Julie’s advice:
QUESTION: Do you ever recommend any over-the-counter medications or any home remedies that could help colicky or fussy babies?
JULIE BUCK: I always give the disclaimer that any suggested remedy should always be considered in consultation with your doctor. You definitely want to discuss any of these options with your pediatrician and make sure that it’s right for you and right for your baby. That said, there are a couple of products on the market people swear by – that I’ve seen really help.
One is called Gripe Water. And another is called Colic Calm. And those are two products that usually with an Internet search or at a local store you’d be able to find.
Another option is to use regular gas drops like Mylicon. There are also suppositories you can use if it seems as though your baby is having a hard time going to the bathroom. If you visit a whole foods or a Vitamin Cottage there are other homeopathic remedies that are available.
You can also try making a chamomile and fennel tea. Steep it weakly and give it to your baby a few drops at a time. Chamomile is a calming type of herb or flower, and fennel is a nice digestive aid. Again, make sure you consult with your doctor first.
I’ve also had some experience with other families who have used pediatric certified chiropractors, who are certified to work with children.
There can be underlying things going with a baby’s spine and body as they’ve come out of the birth canal they’re experiencing gravity for the first time. Things that can make them uncomfortable that we might not necessarily catch, which chiropractic can help. A website for more information on pediatric certified chiropractors is ICPA4kids.com. And it’s very important that you find a chiropractor that has the pediatric certification.
There are two other types of alternative medicine that, again, you would discuss with your doctor and decide if it was correct for you. One is called craniosacral therapy. It works through the fluid that bathes our spine and our brains.
Another option is acupuncture. For children and babies there are licensed acupuncturists that don’t use needles. It’s acupressure. Those are some of the solutions that families I have seen work well for other families.
10 replies to "9 Baby Cry Remedies"
My baby will be 5 months next week. She has been through the colic stage for the first 2 months of life, and she has slept through the night since she was 2 months old. My problem is getting her to sleep at night. We have tried everything we know to try, walking, rocking, letting her cry it out, nothing seems to work. She finally exhausts herself crying, usually taking 1 to 1 1/2 hrs to get her to sleep. We have tried putting her to sleep early and putting her to sleep late, it doesn’t make any difference. Once she is asleep at night, she sleeps through the night. We sometimes have the same problem during the day when it comes to naps, she fights it. However, it is easier to get her to sleep for a nap than at night. Sometimes her naps in the morning are only 20 to 30 minutes. Her afternoon naps are better, 1-2 hours. Many times when the weather is nice, she will go to sleep in her stoller in the afternoon, so that is easy, but not always possible. My husband and I both work so it really drains us to go through the ritual every night and having to get up early the next morning for work. Appreciate your advice. Renee
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Brian Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
I just went through that stage with my granddaughter. We finally switched to a lactose-free formula with instant results. She stopped drawing up her knees in pain, and settles easily now for naps. I can’t tell you how much relief I get seeing her sleep pain free now. Add to that seeing her smile at me now too. She is however having a little reflux, which she is expected to grow out of soon. I suspect this is the reason why she doesn’t like her ‘level’ cot bed, but enjoys the stroller, which sits her more upright. Reflux would cause her esophageal discomfort, which is eased by being slightly more upright.
The Royal Medical Society of Paediatricians in England performed a study on collicy babies and found some are born without the necessary lactase needed to break down the lactose into sugars, requiring some babies to need lactose-free formula. Breast-feeding mothers can express milk, add a few drops of lactese, then bottle feed the breast milk (now lactose-free).
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I have a 7 month old that just will not sleep. She sleeps a total of 7 hours in a 24 hour period. She wakes up at least 3 times during the night. The longest she has ever slept is 4 hours. We have changed her formula, food, feeding times and now we are using Natren Life Start a probiotic supplement. She burps and has alot of gas. We also use gas drops (lots of it). We give her water, juice and fruit to help her go to the bathroom. We have also let her cry. Nothing seems to work. I just can’t take anymore. I just need to sleep. I don’t know how a baby can go with so little sleep. What else can I do!!!!!!!!!!
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I’m not sure if this might help but we have a 3 month old who up until a few days ago had not ever slept very much. He particularly fights sleeping in the evening and rarely napped. My wife was getting very run down and dispondent as we had tried everything. Finally she came across Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit http://www.magicsleepsuit.com/ . The first time we used it he slept for a 4 hour nap in the middle of the day – unheard of! Now at night he goes 7-8 hours between feeding and is much happier during the day. It was an amazing transformation. He does fight getting in the suit as its a little tight but it has been a great investment. It worked for us so maybe for others too.
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My 3month old was the same.she slept a total of 6hrs in 24hrs.I was beside myself especially because I didn’t have any help from my husband.he would sleep through the whole drama.I realised that my frustration 1stly was where it had2begin.I went out alone4a bit2clear my head then put my daughter into a STRICT routine!we do the same thing every night at the same time.bath 6pm-set the mood.soft light,warm bath,lavender,massage,soft tranquil music.then feed but continue in the dark.get them to associate darkness with sleeping.in the first week,lots of struggle and feeling of wantin to give up.I persisted!I took no prisoners.I’m the mother,she couldn’t fight it any longer and I now have a baby who sleeps for sometimes 8hrs straight,wake up for a small feed then back to sleep for another 4hrs.consistency is key
Also,because she was well rested,her napping got beta.she naps 3times a day and has a good nights rest.the only thing keeping me out of sleep now is my husbands annoying snore:)
Good luck
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Angela Reply:
September 9th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Mandy- my 9 week old is always crying and fights sleep as well. We are so sleep deprived and dont know what to do. Could you please expand on your method.
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Is Gripe Water not banned now due to its containing Alcohol?
I know it has not been available in Ireland for many years?
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kristen Reply:
February 2nd, 2012 at 4:25 am
Gripe water does NOT contain alcohol!!!!! Is homeopathic, it helps are son but not enough. We have tried everything, he is even on a prescrition formula. He wakes up 4-6 times a night and sometimes will stay up for 2-3 hours wanting to play. We are way passed colic stage he almost 10 months old but we have had these problems since he was 5 weeks old. He is extremely gassy a lot and cries in pain.we do.t give him any milk or soy and nothing helps. Anyone have an answer for thY?
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When I brought my daughter home from thr hospital she didnt ever want to sleep she just wanted to play, when she got up at night she wouldnt want to drink anything, at ten months I took her off the bottle it took one day after that she slept thur the night and she is on the silly cup and doesnt take anything to bed wuth her. Being almost two she sleeps in her own crib she has never slept with me. I jus brought my second child home being a boy and his acts just like her, I hope it doesnt take ten months for him to seep thur the night tho
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I’m seriously hoping somebody can give me some tips here. I’m a brand new mom, and my little girl just won’t quit crying. She probably spends 4 hours a day crying her heart out, and I don’t know what I can do to help. I’ve tried warm towels, massage, and taking her for rides in the car, but absolutely nothing appears to help. My pediatrician says absolutely nothing is wrong, and it’ll pass, but I am worried, tired, and at my wits end. Has anyone actually tried Ginger? I know you aren’t supposed to use it on newborns, (my girl is eight weeks), but I don’t know what else to do. Please Help.
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