Suggested ad (Mommy’s Bliss)
You’ve swaddled, cooed, and bounced. You checked the diaper is dry and ruled out hunger. Yet still, your baby is wailing that something is wrong. Before you throw your hands up and let out a wail yourself, let’s run through three likely culprits for your little one’s distress, as well as a trio of soothing products that will help you feel prepared, no matter what all the fuss is about.
Gas
Babies’ digestive systems are still developing when they’re born, so they tend to be especially gassy – wouldn’t it be amazing if we all had that excuse? All jokes aside, it’s completely natural that babies swallow air while feeding and that this air combines with bacteria in the digestive tract to produce gas. That’s why we burp babies after feeding them! It’s only when a baby is fussier than they usually are, arching, squirming, or super relieved after passing gas that you might want to step in.
If your baby falls into the category above, it’s a great idea to check in with your pediatrician to confirm that gas is what you’re dealing with and to find out if there are any dietary causes. Burping your baby during and after feeding can relieve some of their gas, as can making sure the nipple of a bottle is filled with milk before giving it to your baby to decrease the amount of air ingested if you’re bottle-feeding. Another great way to help your baby be comfortable is to try gas drops, like Mommy’s Bliss Gas Relief, which help to break up the bubbles in babies’ tiny tummies, so that they don’t bubble up later as uncomfortable gas.
Colic
If you’re lucky enough not to know what colic looks like, we are so jealous of you. Colic is when an otherwise healthy baby cries as frequently as three hours a day for more than three days a week. It can last around three weeks or a little more. No one likes to see a baby upset – colic can leave the whole family in tears!
The first step in dealing with colic is to check in with your pediatrician to make sure that what your baby is experiencing is indeed colic. There are a ton of established ways to calm a colicky baby and ease their discomfort, like swaddling, swaying, and using white (or pink!) noise. Another safe and gentle way to help ease your baby’s colic symptoms is with Gripe Water. We like Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water because it’s made with organic ginger and fennel to ease babies’ tummy trouble and fussiness. Though colic may seem to go on…forever, it usually resolves itself by the time a baby is 3-4 months old.
Sore Gums
Beginning as early as the 4-month mark, your baby’s adorably tiny teeth may start to make their debut. Unfortunately, despite their minuscule size, they can cause big-time discomfort and irritability. If you notice that your baby’s gums are red, swollen, or tender, gently rubbing them with your finger or a cool, wet cloth may offer some relief. Providing your baby with a clean teether to chew can also help them self-soothe. Choose one made from solid rubber rather than the liquid-filled or plastic kind.
For even greater soothing power, we like to add Mommy’s Bliss Organic Gum Massage Gel to our gum-massage routine. It’s formulated with organic herbal extracts like fennel, ginger, chamomile, vanilla, and thyme, and has a mildly sweet taste that babies love. Gently rub it on at the first sign of tenderness to turn those howls into giggles and smiles.
With enough practice, you can identify the early signs and symptoms of your baby’s discomfort and help them feel better in no time. Having the right tools on hand makes a huge difference when you’re both desperate for relief. Tap below to save $3 on the soothing products we mentioned from Mommy’s Bliss, so you’ll be prepared whenever fussiness strikes!
This ad is brought to you by Mommy’s Bliss