There is a Broad Body of Evidence Showing That Colic Symptoms Can Be Eased Through Soothing Measures
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There is a broad body of evidence showing that colic symptoms can be eased through soothing measures, such as pacifiers,[94][95] strong white noise[96][97][98][99][100] and jiggly rocking[101][102][103][104] are effective in c alming babies during crying bouts. These techniques form the core of the "5 S's" approach: 1.Swaddling[105][106][107][108][109][110] (safe swaddling carefully avoiding overheating, covering the head, using bulky or loose blankets,[111] and allowing the hips to be flexed[112][113][114]); 2.Side or stomach (holding a baby on the back is the only safe position for sleep, but it is the worst position for calming a fussy baby;[citation needed]) 3.Shhh sound (making a strong shush sound near the baby's ear or using a CD of womb sound/white noise);[110][96][97][98][100] 4.Swinging the baby with tiny jiggly movements (no more than 1 " back and forth) always supporting the head and neck;[101][102][104][110][115][116][117][118][119][120] 5.Sucking (Letting the baby suckle on the breast, a clean finger or a pacifier) Although soothing techniques (such as movement, sucking, or shushing sounds) can lead to a short -term cessation of crying, it has been suggested that these techniques may serve o nly to postpone the crying.[75] The absence of crying does not necessarily imply emotional well-being. It can also indicate dissociation, a state of psychological numbing seen in stressed or traumatized infants, during which stress hormone levels (such as epinephrine and cortisol) remain high, but the infants appear to be calm.[121] [74] Researchers have found that infants can have elevated cortisol levels in the absence ofcrying, while sucking on a pacifier.[122] Another approach to col ic is the “crying-in-arms” approach, in which the parent lovingly holds the crying infant while letting the crying run its course (after all immediate needs have been met).[123] [124] [75] [125] This approach differs from the “cry-it-out” approach because the infant is never left to cry alone. It also differs from the soothing approaches because the goal is not to cut the c rying short, but rather to accept the crying and support the infant through it.[125 ] The “crying -in-arms” approach is based on the assumption that persistent crying during infancy can be the result of accumulated stress or unhealed trauma (such as a traumatic birth), and t hat allowing the infant to cry in arms will provide long -term psychological and physiological benefits.[123][75][125] There appears to be some evidence for the effectivenes s of the “crying-in-arms” approach, including an improvement in infant sleep.[83]In a breastfed baby, the doctor may suggest eliminating all stimulant foods (e.g. coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, decongestants, diet supplements, etc.) from a mot her's diet for a few days to e valuate for improvements in the baby's condition. If food allergy is suspected, the doctor may suggest a hypoallergenic formula for a formula fed infant or, if the mother is breastfeeding, a period of elimination
There is a Broad Body of Evidence Showing That Colic Symptoms Can Be Eased Through Soothing Measures
