You were just about to lie down. The baby seemed peaceful, perhaps even sleeping. Then—boom. The crying starts. Again. It’s that all-too-familiar scream that slams you dead center in the chest. Legs draw up. Small fists bunch. Eyes scrunched shut. You’ve run through the checklist: diaper, feed, rock, repeat. No relief yet.
If this is your typical nighttime routine, you’re not alone. This is life for many parents during the first few months of parenthood. It could be gas. It could be colic. Either way, it’s hard for both your baby and you.
But don’t worry. You are not helpless here. There are things that can help calm your child’s distress and, perhaps, take everyone back to bed a little earlier.
Gas or Colic? Knowing the Difference
While they usually appear equal, gas and colic are different. Gas results from ingested air during feeding or crying. It makes a baby gassy, cranky, and wiggly. Relief is usually obtained by a burp or bowel movement.
Colic is more intense. It’s defined as crying that lasts more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for over three weeks. And—frustratingly—there’s usually no obvious reason for it.
So while gas tends to pass (literally), colic is more about enduring long stretches of crying even when all needs appear to be met.
1. Adjust Feeding Position and Flow
One of the biggest causes of nighttime gas is how your baby feeds. Too much air gets in, especially if the milk flow is fast or your baby is crying while latching. Here’s what you can try:
- Position the baby’s head slightly higher than their tummy during feeding.
- If bottle-feeding, use slow-flow nipples or anti-colic bottles to prevent colic.
- Burp your baby throughout the feed—not after.
Even if they fall asleep during feeding, a gentle burp might save you both from waking up 30 minutes later in a storm of belly pain.
2. Gentle Belly Massage
When your baby’s stomach feels tight or hard, a gentle massage can help loosen it. With warm hands, massage gently around the abdomen in a circular motion, clockwise.
Some parents swear by the “I-L-U” method—tracing those letters lightly on the tummy to help ease gas. Don’t be perfect. Just move slowly, speak softly, and maintain a warm and loving touch.
3. Bicycle Legs: Simple but Effective
Place your child on their back and rock their legs in a soft bicycle motion. This helps to relieve stuck gas and can be incredibly quick to provide relief. Newborns tend to find this motion calming. It’s also a lovely little bonding moment that may become part of your bedtime routine.
4. Warm Baths Can Help
An evening bath not only washes your baby, but it can also recharge your entire mood. Warm water gently relaxes the knotted muscles, especially in the stomach.
Make it quiet. Dim the lights. Keep the voice soft. After bathing, wrap your child in a warm towel and keep it near. This soothing feeling can only be what he needs to calm down.
5. Nursing Moms: Watch What You Eat
If you’re breastfeeding, some of what you eat may be bothering your baby’s tummy. Not every baby reacts to food through breast milk, but some do. Common triggers include:
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Caffeine
- Onions, garlic
- Broccoli, cabbage, and other gas-producing vegetables
- Chocolate
Try to remove one suspect at a time for a couple of days and see what happens. Don’t finish everything at one time – just take your time and look for a pattern in your child’s behavior.
6. Establish a Soothing Bedtime Routine
Babies adore predictability. A basic, consistent sleeping ritual signals to the body that it is time to sleep, despite the fact that its sleep schedule is still in disarray.
Keep it short and sweet:
- Warm bath
- Tummy massage
- Clean diaper and swaddle
- Soft lullaby or white noise
- Rocking or nursing in dim light
Do the same steps in the same order each night. You may not see results right away, but over time, this builds emotional and physical cues for rest.
7. Ask Your Pediatrician About Probiotics
Increasing evidence indicates that some probiotics can reduce colic and improve the health of a newborn’s intestine, especially in infants given through C-section or who have received antibiotics.
See your pediatrician first before giving anything new. If approved, you can try infant-specific probiotic drops. You can also shop safe and effective colic drops for babies online that are meant for gentle digestive support.
8. Don’t Forget to Care for Yourself
Let’s be honest: these nights are hard. The type of hard that has you sobbing in the bathroom with your baby wailing down the hall. It’s okay to be overwhelmed. You’re empty, and your patience is worn thin.
Take a step back when you must. Get your partner, parent, or friend to relieve you—just for thirty minutes. A nap, shower, or walk outside can be lifesaving. It doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you human. You can’t pour from an empty cup, especially when your baby needs comfort.
What to Expect Going Forward
Colic typically peaks around six weeks of age and gradually subsides by three to four months. Gas-related fussiness also gets better as your baby’s digestion matures.
This stage feels long when you’re in it. But it’s temporary. Try different strategies one at a time, watch how your baby responds, and adjust as needed. You’ll eventually find your rhythm.
Final Thought
You’re doing better than you think. If your nights are filled with crying, pacing, and desperate Googling, take comfort in this: it’s not forever. Many parents have been in your shoes—and gotten through it. Just breathe. Try one new thing. Trust your instincts. This is tough—but so are you.
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