Inconsolable crying, deafening screaming, and constant fussiness. If you know, you know. The colic days are some of the most challenging moments a parent experiences. On the worst of nights, I can recall Mila screaming with such force, her whole body extended in pain, skin red as a tomato.

My partner and I took turns bouncing her back and forth, singing, rocking, playing white noise literally everything under the sun. The screaming was so intense that we hadn’t realized one or the other was trying to talk, we had lost our hearing for a good two minutes. Thank goodness days like that are now behind us (as I knock on every wood item in view).

Similarly to my experience, I’m here to tell you that although your nights with a collicy baby may feel long - oh so long - they will come to an end. It is thanks to amazing Mothers like you ladies that we finally found ways to relieve our daughter’s discomfort.

Here are the top 11 colic survival tips that were passed to me from some amazing mothers that I am now passing to you with all my love and support.

1. Infant Chiropractor - life-changing

Seeing a chiropractor wasn’t something I had ever thought of until one of my friends mentioned it worked like magic for her. She explained it was like night and day after only three sessions. We gave it a go and I can honestly say it has helped wonders! The Chiropractor uses their finger to relieve pressure in the infant's neck and just above their bottom by gently pushing in these areas. There is no cracking or popping involved.

2. Baby Wearing

Whether it be a sling, a Moby, a Boba, a Beluga Baby, a Ergobaby you name it. Wearing your baby is amazing for when their witching hour beings and the colic is about to peak. Simply put: it is a way to keep them close, a place where they can find comfort within your scent and the beating of your heart. Our little ones tummies are in pain and they just need their mama.

3. Probiotics

Probiotics, as we know, are full of all the good stuff our gut needs to flourish. The BioGaia probiotic has worked wonders for my daughter with helping her pass gas more easily. All babies are different though of course and so this may or may not work for your baby, but it’s worth a shot!

4. Chamomile Tea - A personal favorite

This was suggested to us by our Midwife as a quick relief of gas bubbles and cramping. It is said that chamomile tea can calm intestinal upset. We use the Traditional Medicinals tea following this method of delivery:

Steep one bag of organic chamomile tea for 2 minutes, let cool, deliver 0.5mL syringe to baby with a pacifier or finger as an aide for swallowing, deliver up to 1mL per day.

5. Gripe Water/Ovol Drops/Cocyntal

Personally, drops such as Cocyntal, Gripe water, or Ovol drops didn’t work for our daughter but that’s not to say they won’t work for you. I’ve had friends tell me they have offered immediate relief to their babies.

6. Movement (of all kinds)

These babies really get us moving when their bellies begin to ache. I’m not sure if the movement serves more as a distraction to them or if it really does help push those bubbles out - either way it seems to help! Here are some ways to keep them moving: knee jigging under the bum, bouncing them on an exercising ball, laying them flat for some bicycle legs, rocking them in your arms, car seat, or swing, long car rides, or pushing them in the stroller

7. Warmth and comfort

All things warm and cozy. A nice warm bubble bath has similar effects with us adults as it does with our babies - relaxing the body. I will often put a few drops of lavender in my daughter's bath to help soothe and calm the rumbles in her stomach. I’ve also used a Magic Bag Warmy from Amazon. Warm blankets would do the trick as well.

8. Pacifier

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give my daughter a soother until I read about it providing relief to a lot of babies who struggle with cramping and gas. We tried the Ryan and Rose Cutie PAT and Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Soothers and my daughter took to them instantly. We love the shape and size of these ones, they seem to closely resemble an actual nipple. It has also helped her with feeling calmer and getting sleep at night.

9. Noise Stimulation

Most parents find that certain noises may momentarily calm their babies crying when the colic has reached a routine peak. Some parents have told me that running the shower, the hair dryer, white noise, or loud music has calmed their babies based on their liking. We have tried personally singing some of her favourite songs and playing songs I frequently listened to while I was pregnant. One of my friends recommended this YouTube page called: Hey Bear Sensory

10. Baby Massage and Skin to Skin

Baby massage in a clockwise motion on your baby’s stomach can do wonders for deactivating their heightened nervous system and helping them reach a calmer state. I only use olive oil to massage or lotion my babies skin. After her little massage, we will have some skin to skin time. These wee ones were with us for over 9 months 24/7 and I believe that having them snuggled up on our chests brings them back to this comforting place.

11. Feeding and Burping

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding it is so important to burp the baby after every feed to prevent an excessive amount of hiccups from forming and trapped gas from building up. For the bottle feeding mamas, taking multiple breaks in between feedings for burping is another way to ensure the pent up gas is making its way out.

For the breastfeeding mamas, a friend of mine shared she found benefits with having a baby feed on one side each feed. She mentioned this helped to reduce the amount of air in the belly. She also shared that a longer feeding from one breast allows access to hindmilk (richer milk) and not just the foremilk which tends to have less fat and is more watery in appearance. That being said, I am not a lactation consultant by any means and always advise verifying with your own team of specialists prior to trying any tips breastmilk or formula related.

That’s it mama’s, if you’re dealing with a collicy baby please feel free to reach out, you are never alone. Also feel free to share below any other tips that may help provide some relief and return some sanity.