Sucking reduces tension and soothes the baby. Often arestless, agitated baby will settle down when a pacifier is offered. As an infant reaches three to four months of age, the need to suck will be reduced and parents can gradually decrease the use of the pacifier. If you are breast-feeding, the use of a pacifier may interfere with nursing. A colicky baby s most piercing screams tend to occur in the evening, but may also occur at other times of the day.
Nothing seems to calm a colicky baby for more than a few minutes.
This excessive crying may last until the third or fourth month. If your baby is still crying a great deal after you have exhausted all means to make your baby more comfortable, consult the office. TO BE HELD - Sometimes just picking the baby up to hold or rock them will cause the crying to cease. It is important to remember that the first few weeks outside the uterus are insecure ones for the newborn infant. Being held against the parent s body provides a sense of security for the baby at a time when the development of trust between parents and infant is important.