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There is a broad body of evidence showing that colic symptoms can be eased through soothing measures, such as pacifiers,[94][95]

strong white noise[96][97][98][99][100] and jiggly rocking[101][102][103][104] are effective in calming babies during crying bouts. These techniques form the core of the "5 S's" approach: 1.Swaddling[105][106][107][108][109][110] (safe swaddling carefully avoiding overheating, covering the head, using bulky or loose blankets,[111] and allowing the hips to be flexed[112][113][114]); 2.Side or stomach (holding a baby on the back is the only safe position for sleep, but it is the worst position for calming a fussy baby;[citation needed]) 3.Shhh sound (making a strong shush sound near the baby's ear or using a CD of womb sound/white noise);[110][96][97][98][100] 4.Swinging the baby with tiny jiggly movements (no more than 1" back and forth) always supporting the head and neck;[101][102][104][110][115][116][117][118][119][120] 5.Sucking (Letting the baby suckle on the breast, a clean finger or a pacifier) Although soothing techniques (such as movement, sucking, or shushing sounds) can lead to a short-term cessation of crying, it has been suggested that these techniques may serve only to postpone the crying.[75] The absence of crying does not necessarily imply emotional well-being. It can also indicate dissociation, a state of psychological numbing seen in stressed or traumatized infants, during which stress hormone levels (such as epinephrine and cortisol) remain high, but the infants appear to be calm.[121] [74] Researchers have found that infants can have elevated cortisol levels in the absence of crying, while sucking on a pacifier.[122]

Another approach to colic is the crying-in-arms approach, in which the parent lovingly holds the crying infant while letting the crying run its course (after all immediate needs have been met).[123] [124] [75] [125] This approach differs from the cry-it-out approach because the infant is never left to cry alone. It also differs from the soothing approaches because the goal is not to cut the crying short, but rather to accept the crying and support the infant through it.[125] The crying-in-arms approach is based on the assumption that persistent crying during infancy can be the result of accumulated stress or unhealed trauma (such as a traumatic birth), and that allowing the infant to cry in arms will provide long-term psychological and physiological benefits.[123][75][125] There appears to be some evidence for the effectiveness of the crying-in-arms approach, including an improvement in infant sleep.[83]

In a breastfed baby, the doctor may suggest eliminating all stimulant foods (e.g. coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, decongestants, diet supplements, etc.) from a mother's diet for a few days to evaluate for improvements in the baby's condition. If food allergy is suspected, the doctor may suggest a hypoallergenic formula for a formula fed infant or, if the mother is breastfeeding, a period of elimination

of allergenic foods (e.g. dairy, nuts, soy, citrus, etc.) from her diet in order to observe changes in the baby's condition.[49][50] If the crying is related to a cow's milk allergy benefits are usually seen within 27 days. Mothers can then choose to add back small amounts of the suspected offending food a little bit at a time as long as persistent crying does not reappear. If crying reappears, the offending foods may need to be avoided for many months.[51][126]

Persistently fussy babies with poor weight gain, vomiting more than 5 times a day, or other significant feeding problems should be evaluated by a healthcare professional for other illnesses (e.g. urinary infection, intestinal obstruction, acid reflux).[24]

Several studies demonstrated benefits of herbal remedies containing fennel. In once study S. Savino et al. used extracts of three plants, including fennel.[127] In another study Sergei Shushunov et al. successfully used fennel oil emulcion.[128]

A medicine often suggested for use is infacol.[129]

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