Colic is a condition sometimes described as predictable periods of distress in otherwise healthy, well-cared-for babies. If it's predictable, does that mean there are colic remedies we can use?
Well, first, to meet a diagnosis for colic, a baby must cry for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or longer. That's a long time!
Parents typically find that there is nothing they can do to help their baby calm down during colic episodes, leading to much worry. To make matters worse, colic can last as long as 3 to 4 months.
Fortunately, the silver lining in all of this is that colic is not a life-threatening condition. And natural colic remedies are easy to come by.
There are many things besides colic that could be making your baby fussy. These include:
Gripe water was invented in the 1840s by English pharmacist William Woodward as a means of treating fen fever.
The original gripe water product contained alcohol but the formula was reformulated in the 90s to make it alcohol free.
The best time to give your baby gripe water is during or after feeding. This will help your baby's digestive system break down the enzymes in his or her food.
Dr. Philippa Kaye says:
"The active ingredients in gripe water help combat it by neutralizing excess acid in the stomach and breaking down trapped air bubbles."
One of the more accessible natural colic remedies is right in the grocery store. In fact, fennel tea as a treatment for colic holds some scientific merit. It works by helping to relax a baby's gastrointestinal tract.
Other types of herbal tea the university lists as helpful for colic include:
Aloe vera juice can help reduce irritation in your baby's gut. As an interesting side effect, drinking the juice may also help soothe diaper rash. Find organic, sustainable brands online or your local natural foods store.
You can also buy concentrated aloe vera juice and place one or two drops in your child's fruit juice throughout the day.
It is important that you consult with your baby's doctor to rule out the possibility of any other reasons for their distress.
![shutterstock_144535106](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/shutterstock_144535106-750x500.jpg)
- An infection
- Acid reflux
- Stomach problems
- Inflammation or pressure of the brain or nervous system
- Eye trouble
- Irregular heartbeat
- Injury
To get through colic, try these natural colic remedies that have traditionally proven helpful for parents of children with colic.
1. Gripe Water
![2150883783_5d36f04c1b_b colic remedies](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/2150883783_5d36f04c1b_b-563x750.jpg)
2. Tea
![shutterstock_301981889 colic remedies](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/shutterstock_301981889-750x500.jpg)
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Lemon balm
- Slippery elm
- Catnip
- Dill
3. Aloe Vera Juice
![shutterstock_407319247 colic remedies](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/shutterstock_407319247-750x542.jpg)