Coping with Colic

Colic is probably caused by an immature digestive and/or central nervous system. As many as 1 in 4 twinfants younger than 3 months develop colic at some point in their first 6 months. Crying jags may continue for three hours or more, and may occur three or four times a week. Don’t lose hope. Colic is a passing phase. It won’t affect your babies’ long-term health, either. Babies who cry because of colic don’t experience any more pain than those without colic, so don’t worry your babies are suffering if colicky. Colicky crying is fairly normal. Babies are hardwired to cry, and some babies are hardwired to do colicky crying. Colicky crying usually tapers off after 8 weeks, disappearing by about 6 months. In the meantime, try these steps:

Change your diet. If breastfeeding, avoid foods that can create gassiness (dairy, beans, onion, caffeine, cabbage, chocolate) or switch to hypoallergenic formula if twinfants are bottle-fed.

Waiting periods. Try waiting at least 2½ hours between feedings, and limit each feeding to 30 minutes. This might help calm the system. Feed your babies in a calm, quiet spot. This often helps your twins sleep longer and cry less.

Swaddle. Flailing arms and legs can start a crying jag. Swaddling works. Wrap a fussy twinfant in a swaddling blanket to replicate the sensation of being in the womb— prevents a “startle response” that triggers more crying.

The “colic hold.” Hold your baby face down, supporting him with your forearm between his legs. Clasp your hands under his tummy. The pressure of the babies’ own weight puts gentle pressure on the abdominal area.

Back rubs. Lie on your back with your twinfant on your chest (known as kangaroo-ing); rub your baby’s back.

Pacing. Try the old standard: Hold your baby, and pace the floor, bouncing.

Music / noise. Play music or sing. Create “white noise” using a background noise machine, vacuum cleaner, radio static (this simulates the sound your babies heard while in the uterus).

Change of scene. Go to another part of the house or outdoors to break the cycle of crying.

Driving. The car’s motion and hum of the engine soothe some babies.

Swing. Battery-operated swings (and/or vibrating bouncers) are great for unhappy babies.