One theory is that colicky babies have an immature digestive system that contracts painfully when they pass gas. If you suspect gas is the reason for your infant's crying, you may want to consult your pediatrician about this treatment option. Sudden crying in a baby can also signal pain, illness, or, in some rare cases, early teething. When acute, unexplained crying lasts longer than 40 minutes, take your baby's temperature, check her for swollen gums, and undress her to look for areas of redness on her skin, swelling, or something in her clothing that may be irritating her, like a tag or pin. Call your pediatrician if you find anything out of the ordinary.
Infants love motion and closeness to a warm body-something they enjoyed in the womb.
Research has also shown the power of smooth, deliberate touch. In studies on premature infants, those who were massaged for 15 minutes three times as day for 10 days gained weight more quickly and were more active, alert, and responsive than those preemies who weren't massaged. Massage is also a helpful tool for promoting relaxation in full-term infants. At first, don't massage your baby when he's crying-wait until you're both relaxed because you don't want him to associate the massage with bad feelings, like frustration or exhaustion. Then, gently rub his back, belly, arms, and legs with loving strokes.