Ways to Cope with Gas Pain (Colic)

Dear tired parents,

Evening hours are approaching... There is a tense waiting in the house. Because you know that at exactly 7:00 PM, that invisible alarm will go off, and your peaceful baby will turn into an unstoppable "gas bomb," turning beet red, pulling their legs to their tummy, and crying inconsolably.

If this scenario sounds familiar, welcome to the "Colic Club". Membership is free, but checking out takes some time.

Colic is the time when a parent feels most helpless. Questions like "What am I doing wrong? Is my milk bad? Is she in pain?" gnaw at your brain. First, let's give the answer: You are doing nothing wrong. This is a (tough) part of your baby's growth process. Let's look at scientific methods and soothing tips to disperse these gas clouds.

Gas or Colic: The Rule of 3

Every baby gets gassy, but not every baby is colicky. The medical world uses the "Wessel Criteria" (Rule of 3) to diagnose colic:

• Crying episodes lasting more than 3 hours a day,
• Recurring at least 3 days a week,
• And continuing for at least 3 weeks.

These crying spells usually start in the evening; the baby pulls their legs up to their belly, clenches their fists, and their face turns red as if in pain.

Why It Happens

Although scientists have not yet found the definitive cause, the strongest theories are:

1. Immature Gut: The newborn's intestines are not fully developed yet. They lack the muscle coordination to move the gas formed during digestion and expel it. Gas gets trapped inside and causes pain.
2. Overstimulation: One theory is that colic is not just about gas but about the nervous system. A baby exposed to light, sound, and touch all day says, "Enough, I'm shutting down the system!" in the evening and goes into a crying fit.
3. Swallowing Air: Air swallowed while crying or feeding creates bubbles in the stomach.

"Gas Buster" Tactics for Parents

1. The Tiger in the Tree Hold

This hold is a favorite of colicky babies.

• Lay the baby face down on your forearm.
• Let their head rest in the crook of your elbow and their legs dangle from your hand.
• Rub their back with your other hand.
• That gentle pressure your arm exerts on their tummy helps incredibly with releasing gas.

2. Bicycle Legs and Massage

Lay the baby on their back. Gently hold their legs and push and pull them towards their tummy as if riding a bicycle in the air. This movement compresses and relaxes the intestines, helping the gas move. Also, the "I Love U" massage done clockwise (direction of gut flow) around the belly button is very effective.

3. White Noise

Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, or range hood sound... These sounds, which seem like noise to you, remind the baby of that safe hum (sound of blood flow) in the womb. Turning on "White Noise" from YouTube or special devices during crying spells can calm the baby down as if touched by a magic wand.

4. Swaddling (Half Swaddle)

When the baby's arms move involuntarily (Moro reflex), it wakes and scares them. A half swaddle where arms are wrapped to the body gives them the feeling of "tightness in the womb" and calms them down.

5. Probiotics

Probiotic drops regulating gut flora (especially those containing Lactobacillus reuteri) reduce crying time in some colicky babies. However, it may not work for every baby; definitely consult your doctor before use.

Special for Moms: The "What I Eat Causes Gas" Myth

Moms often blame themselves saying, "I ate lentils, the kid is ruined." However, gas-forming foods eaten by the mother do not pass into the milk as gas. Gas is not something that circulates in the blood.

• Exception: Cow's milk protein allergy. If dairy products consumed by the mother cause excessive gas, rash, or bloody stool in the baby, a diet should be tried under doctor supervision.

When Colic Ends

I know, right now it feels like that crying sound will never end. But I promise you, IT WILL END. Colic usually stops suddenly around the 3rd or 4th month, just as it started (this is called the "faucet turned off" moment).

Work in shifts with your partner during this process. Rocking the baby while wearing headphones and listening to music doesn't make you a bad parent, it just preserves your sanity. Your baby needs you, but needs a "calm" you.

Hang in there, it will pass, and only sweet memories will remain.

---

References

This article is based on the following scientific studies, clinical guidelines, and World Health Organization documents.

1. Wessel MA, Cobb JC, Jackson EB, Harris GS Jr, Detwiler AC (1954). Paroxysmal fussing in infancy, sometimes called colic. Pediatrics, 14(5), 421-435. PMID 13214956

   • (The original 1954 paper that defined the "rule of three" criteria still used to define infantile colic.)

2. Lucassen PL, Assendelft WJ, Gubbels JW, van Eijk JT, van Geldrop WJ, Neven AK (1998). Effectiveness of treatments for infantile colic: systematic review. BMJ, 316(7144), 1563-1569. PMID 9596593

   • (Systematic review finding little evidence for most colic treatments, supporting the article's emphasis on soothing rather than medication.)

3. Sung V, D'Amico F, Cabana MD, Chau K, Koren G, Savino F, et al. (2018). Lactobacillus reuteri to Treat Infant Colic: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 141(1), e20171811. PMID 29279326

   • (Meta-analysis of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri as a treatment for infant colic.)

4. Barr RG (1998). Crying in the first year of life: good news in the midst of distress. Child: Care, Health and Development, 24(5), 425-439. PMID 9728286

   • (Describes the normal crying curve of infancy, showing that early evening crying peaks and then declines.)

5. Iacovou M, Ralston RA, Muir J, Walker KZ, Truby H (2012). Dietary management of infantile colic: a systematic review. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(6), 1319-1331. PMID 21710185

   • (Systematic review of dietary approaches, such as maternal diet changes and hydrolysed formula, for managing infantile colic.)

6. World Health Organization (2026). Infant and young child feeding. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding

   • (WHO's fact sheet on recommended infant and young child feeding practices, the feeding framework behind the article's advice.)

7. World Health Organization. Breastfeeding. https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding

   • (WHO's health topic page on breastfeeding, relevant to the feeding-related aspects of managing infant colic.)