A Fix For Colic?

There really should be a support system for parents of colicky babies. These moms and dads rev themselves up for the toughest, most grueling, most heartbreaking ride of the day: the uncontrollable wail of their colicky baby. They try to remind themselves to stay calm and focus on getting through the spell.  They remind themselves that eventually there will be a light at the end of the tunnel when their baby is 3 or 4 months old.

We were those parents this past July and August.  We bounced, wrenched our backs, and parched ourselves trying to provide solace for our baby Kate when her colic spell would start. It wasn’t until the end of the summer, that I decided to try some of the baby exercises I had learned in my Kindermusik Village classes. After the first round of exercises, I noticed immediate relief. Also, every time, roughly five minutes after our baby exercise activity, Kate would get further relief through a bowel movement. Whether it was distraction, GI tract assistance, or lessening her stimuli, we found a way to cope with colic through a Kindermusik technique.

Right before the spell of colic kicks in, try some baby exercises. Lay your baby down on a soft blanket and think of your favorite nursery rhymes such as, Hickory Dickory Dock, Hey Diddle Diddle, Deedle Deedle Dumpling, and/or Wee Willie Winkie. Chant or sing the rhymes while moving  your baby’s arms up and down separately and then at the same time. Then, move his legs in the same pattern as well as in a circular bicycling motion.  Finish by touching one hand to his opposite foot (for example, right hand to left foot).  Be sure to repeat on the other side.  In Village class, Miss Allison calls this movement “crissy crossy.”  These cross-lateral movements require communication between the two sides of the brain and therefore also exercise baby’s brain.

Here’s another one: Your baby is again lying on her back. Place her heel up next to her bottom by bending her knee sharply. Move the leg, still sharply bent, until the top of the thigh rests against the tummy. Get both legs in this position. Your baby may be a tad confused at first, but later she will actually assist you-babies love this so! Grab her baby’s ankles and gently shake her legs in an up-and-down motion, unbending the knees gradually, until her heels rest on the blanket and her legs are straight. Repeat multiple times.

Pediatricians do not have a definitive conclusion regarding the cause of colic. There are ideas such as: diet, temperament, acid reflux, indigestion, allergies or a natural developmental stage.  However, the consensus on how to manage colic is fundamentally similar:  provide comfort measures like soothing through movement, a warm bath, rocking, or playing music.

Whether it is mere distraction from the pain or assistance to the digestion system, these exercises may aid in a less intense crying episode. The activity will definitely provide YOU with meaningful interaction with your baby during what is often a frustrating time.  Additionally, songs and rhymes reduce stress and promote language development.

There really is something behind all those facts and tips our teachers provide us in class! Thanks Miss Allison, you were right.  We didn’t have to just wait out the spells of colic.  It’s all about taking what you learn in class and applying it at home.

-posted by Miss Kim, the biggest fan of Village baby exercises!