Baby Colic & Gas Pain: 7 Home Remedies to Soothe Your Crying Baby

Dr. Sandip Gupta

A pediatrician explains baby gas problems, known medically as infantile colic or baby colic, and shares 7 practical techniques to soothe a baby crying from gas pain, plus preventive measures to reduce colic episodes. Covered in this video: About infantile colic Very common, affecting 20–40% of babies under 6 months. It usually starts around 3–4 weeks of age and generally reduces by around 4 months. Main cause: gas forms in the baby's stomach from the milk feed, causing intestinal stretching, which makes the baby cry. Get the diagnosis confirmed by your doctor — colicky babies are otherwise healthy, with no fever, cold, cough or other stomach problem, and suddenly cry due to gas. 7 techniques to soothe colic pain Colic massage: Using coconut oil or baby massage oil, gently massage the baby's tummy around the navel in a clockwise direction with light pressure for about 10 minutes. Combine with cyclic leg movements — gently cycling the baby's legs (called pawanmukt asana in Hindi) — to help release gas. Upright carry and open air: Carry the baby on the shoulder, pat gently using a cupped hand (not a flat hand, which pushes too hard), and take the baby to open space — a corridor/verandah or the terrace. Fresh air often helps the baby settle and sleep. Simeticone-based drops: Doctors may prescribe simeticone-based drops in the correct age-appropriate dose; these often bring quick relief from colic pain. Stroller ride: A short stroller ride outside — the gentle vibration can soothe the baby's pain. Car ride (for extreme cases): If the baby has been crying continuously and nothing else has worked, a smooth-road car ride — the engine vibration, sound and fresh air — often calms the baby to sleep. Rocking in arms, a cradle or a swing (gentle back-and-forth movement) works similarly. Sponge bath: A lukewarm sponge bath can stimulate and relax the baby's body, helping relieve gas discomfort. White noise: Playing white noise — a fan, cooler, shower sound, or a dedicated white noise clip — can help, and can be combined with the other techniques (e.g., played during massage or while rocking the baby). Preventive measures to reduce colic episodes Burp the baby well after every feed; babies with more colic may benefit from prolonged burping — up to 15 minutes — to release air effectively. Burping in between feeds also helps. Avoid overfeeding: don't chase a fixed quantity (like insisting on 120 ml or 150 ml) when bottle feeding. Stop once the baby is satisfied and settled — overfeeding can trigger colic pain. Ensure correct latching technique when breastfeeding, so the baby does not swallow excessive air. A recently available good probiotic medicine has shown, in many doctors' and parents' experience, to significantly reduce gas problems over a complete course — this can be discussed and prescribed by your pediatrician. Two related videos are mentioned: one explaining why gripe water is not recommended (a separate detailed video on gripe water), and another on what dietary changes a breastfeeding mother can make if the baby's colic is severe and not improving with other measures. Questions this video answers: Why is my baby crying a lot, especially from gas? What is infantile colic / baby colic and when does it start and stop? How common is colic in babies under 6 months? How do I do a colic massage for gas relief? What is pawanmukt asana / cycling the baby's legs for gas? How should I hold and pat my baby to relieve gas — flat hand or cupped hand? Does taking the baby to open air or the terrace help with gas? Are simeticone drops effective and safe for baby gas? Does a stroller or car ride help calm a colicky baby? Does white noise help soothe a gassy or crying baby? Does a sponge bath help relieve gas discomfort? How can I prevent colic episodes at home? Does overfeeding cause colic? How much should I feed my baby? Why is proper burping important for reducing colic? Does improper latching cause gas and colic? Is there a probiotic medicine for infant colic? Should I give gripe water for my baby's gas? Can a breastfeeding mother's diet affect the baby's colic? Relevant for: parents of babies aged roughly 3 weeks to 6 months experiencing gas, colic or excessive crying, especially those looking for non-medication home remedies. Disclaimer: All information and suggestions given in this video are general health information. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please get your baby's colic diagnosis confirmed by your doctor, and use any medicine or drops only in the dose recommended by your pediatrician.