Colic can feel overwhelming for both babies and parents. Your little one cries inconsolably, often in the evening, leaving you wondering what’s wrong. While the exact cause of colic is still unclear, paediatric experts believe it may be linked to digestive discomfort, gas, or an immature nervous system. Thankfully, there are gentle, non-medical ways parents can provide colic newborn relief at home.
One of the most effective methods? Positioning and massage techniques that help release trapped gas, relax the baby, and create a sense of comfort. Let’s explore the best evidence-based positions, massage methods, and natural remedies for soothing your colicky baby.
Why Positioning Matters for Colicky Babies
The way you hold or position your infant can directly affect how easily they pass gas and soothe themselves. Research shows that upright and tummy-down positions help reduce crying episodes in colicky infants by easing abdominal pressure and supporting digestion [1].
Best Positions for Colic Newborn Relief
1. The Upright “Colic Carry” or “Tiger in the Tree”
- How to do it: Place your baby face down on your forearm, with their head supported in your elbow crease and legs straddling your arm. Use your other hand to rub their back gently.
- Duration: 5–10 minutes or until the baby calms.
- Benefits: Applies gentle pressure on the tummy to relieve trapped gas; the rocking motion can be soothing [2].
2. Knee-to-Tummy Position
- How to do it: Lay your baby on their back and gently move their knees toward their chest in a cycling motion.
- Duration: 1–2 minutes, repeat as needed.
- Benefits: Helps expel gas and ease colic discomfort [3].
3. Upright ontheShoulder
- How to do it: Hold your baby upright against your chest with their chin resting on your shoulder. Support their bottom and back while patting gently.
- Duration: 10–15 minutes after feeds.
- Benefits: Aids digestion, prevents reflux, and provides comfort through close skin contact [4].
4. Tummy Time (Supervised)
- How to do it: Place your baby on their tummy across your lap or a firm surface, supporting their head.
- Duration: 3–5 minutes, multiple times daily.
- Benefits: Strengthens core muscles, relieves abdominal pressure, and calms fussiness [5].
5. Side-Lying Position
- How to do it: Lay your baby on their side across your lap, ensuring their head is higher than their stomach. Gently rub their back.
- Benefits: Encourages digestion and provides comfort without putting pressure on the spine [6].
Infant Massage for Colic Gas Relief in Infants
Massage not only relaxes babies but also helps move gas through the intestines. Clinical studies show that infant massage reduces crying time and improves sleep in colicky newborns [7].
Best Positions During & After Massage
- During: Place your baby on a soft towel on the floor or your lap in a semi-reclined position.
- After: Hold the baby upright for a few minutes to aid digestion.
Oils & Tools for Infant Massage
- Oils: Use mild, edible oils like coconut, sunflower, or specially formulated baby massage oils. Avoid strong essential oils unless paediatrician-approved.
- Tools: Only your hands are needed; warm them before starting.
Step-by-Step Massage Techniques
1. Tummy Clockwise Massage
- How to do it: Using warm hands, gently massage your baby’s tummy in clockwise circles (the direction of digestion).
- Benefits: Stimulates bowel movement, reduces bloating, and provides natural colic relief for newborns [8].
2. Bicycle Legs + Gentle Press
- How to do it: Gently cycle your baby’s legs while applying slight pressure on the abdomen with your palm.
- Benefits: Releases trapped gas effectively [9].
3. “I Love You” Stroke
- How to do it: With your fingertips, trace the letters “I”, “L”, and “U” on your baby’s abdomen.
- Benefits: Helps digestion and doubles as a bonding activity [10].
4. Back Massage While Tummy-Down
- How to do it: Place your baby tummy-down across your lap and gently stroke their back from neck to bottom.
- Benefits: Relieves abdominal tension and promotes relaxation [11].
Supporting Tools for Colic Relief
Calming Sounds & Sensory Tools
- White noise machines, soft humming, or rhythmic shushing sounds can mimic the womb environment.
- Swaddling can add extra comfort.
Pacifiers
Essential Oils & Homoeopathy
- While not recommended as a first-line treatment, some parents find a mild lavender oil massage calming.
- Always consult a paediatrician before using any natural remedy.
What NOT to Do: Remedies to Avoid
- Overfeeding: Can worsen colic and cause reflux.
- Herbal Teas without Paediatric Advice: Some may be unsafe for infants.
- Excessive Rocking or Shaking: Gentle movement is soothing; shaking is dangerous.
When to Seek Medical Help
If your baby cries for more than 3 hours daily, shows signs of weight loss, vomiting, fever, or blood in stool, consult your paediatrician immediately [13].
Gentle Help with Woodward’s Gripe Water
For generations, parents have trusted Woodward’s Gripe Water as a gentle way to ease discomfort caused by gas and indigestion in babies. While positions and massage provide excellent natural relief for colic in newborns, Woodward’s can be an additional safe and time-tested companion in your baby’s colic care routine (consult your doctor before use).
Conclusion
Colic doesn’t last forever, but it can feel endless when you’re in it. Using the right positions, gentle massage techniques, and natural calming tools can make a big difference in your baby’s comfort — and your peace of mind. With patience, consistency, and safe remedies, you’ll find what works best for your little one.
References
- Lucassen PLBJ. Colic in infants. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2015.
- Barr RG. Crying in the first year of life: Mechanisms and management. J Pediatr. 1998.
- Perry R et al. Infant massage for treating infant colic. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Colic in babies: Diagnosis & treatment. Mayo Clinic. 2022.
- Task Force on Infant Positioning. Pediatrics. 1992.
- Wessel MA. Paroxysmal fussing in infancy. Pediatrics. 1954.
- Kulkarni A et al. Effect of massage therapy on colic. Indian Pediatr. 2010.
- Diego MA et al. Massage therapy reduces colic symptoms. Early Human Development. 2004.
- Ernst E. Massage therapy for infant colic. Complement Ther Med. 2000.
- Field T. Infant massage therapy research. Infant Behavior & Development. 2019.
- Poole K. Infant massage for parent-infant bonding. J Neonatal Nurs. 2017.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Pacifier Use and Infant Soothing. 2020.
- NICE Guidelines. Infant colic: when to seek medical help. 2021.
