A Parent’s Guide To Gentle Relief, Sweet Nani-Nuskhe, and Peaceful Nights
Babies, sweet as they are, come with more drama than a Bengali TV serial sometimes.
One moment they’re cooing like a dove, the next they’re scrunching their face and crying for hours — usually because their little tummies are filled with gas.
Add colic to the mix, and you’ve got the evening chorus nobody signed up for.
If you’re wondering why your baby seems to have more burps than a soda bottle, here’s a mix of modern science, grandmother wisdom, and a dash of desi nuskhe that might help.
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- What Exactly is Gas & Colic?
- What Causes Gas & Colic (Or Thereabouts)
- Myth vs Fact: Gas & Colic Edition
- Practical Soothing Techniques & Remedies
- When to Worry & Call the Doctor
- What to Expect: Timeline & Hope
- Gentle Tips for Parents
- A Little Lightness:
- Final Word
What Exactly is Gas & Colic?
First, definitions (not fun, I know, but helpful):
- Gas: Air or gas in the digestive tract, which can cause bloating, pressure, sharp tugs on the belly. Babies swallow air when feeding, crying, or even breathing through a nose-blocked sniffle.
- Colic: Not fully understood. It’s when an otherwise healthy baby cries and fusses a lot, often at similar times of day, for no obvious reason. If it lasts more than about 3 hours/day, more than 3 days/week, for several weeks, kiddie colic is often the diagnosis.
What Causes Gas & Colic (Or Thereabouts)
We don’t have all the answers, but here are some common causes doctors point to — plus a few “desi additions” our moms, Didans, and Saasu-ma swear by. Sometimes it’s one thing, sometimes it’s a combination.
| Possible Cause | What Happens | Desi/Indian Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baby swallowing too much air | From feeding too fast, crying, or a strong let-down in breastfeeding Parents.com | Elders often notice this if the baby “gulps like a fish” — and will suggest slower feeding or changing bottle nipples. |
| Immature digestive system | Gut muscles and enzymes are still developing MayoClinic | Ayurveda calls this agnimandya (weak digestive fire) — hence the belief in warming remedies like ajwain water for moms. |
| Sensitivity or allergy | To formula proteins, cow’s milk protein (even via breastfeeding) PMC | Many Indian moms avoid dairy, cabbage, chana, rajma, or “cold” foods if baby is gassy. |
| Overfeeding / feeding too quickly | Large or rapid feeds overwhelm the tummy | Bengali didas say: “Chhoto chhoto kore khawao” (feed in small amounts). North Indian nanis echo the same. |
| Foremilk-hindmilk imbalance (breastfed babies) | More foremilk (thin, lactose rich) and not enough hindmilk (fatty) = extra gas | Often worsened if baby switches breasts too quickly — common advice in India: let baby empty one side fully (about 20 minutes) before offering the other. |
| Overstimulation | Loud, bright, busy environments stress babies, leading to more crying and swallowed air | Think Indian weddings, naming ceremonies, or crowded living rooms — baby passed around 10 relatives = overstimulated + gassy. |
| Weather & “cold exposure” (elders’ belief) | Cold winds or damp weather seen as causing stomach upset | Hence the insistence on wrapping babies in layers, and using mustard/coconut oil massages to “keep hawa out.” |
| Mom’s postpartum diet | Strongly spiced or gassy foods eaten by breastfeeding moms sometimes affect babies | Tamil ammas avoid cauliflower, cabbage, or heavy lentils early on; Bengali moms skip posto (poppy seeds) and excess machher jhol (fish curry) till digestion settles. |
| Lack of tummy time / movement | Without enough stretching or exercise, gas doesn’t move easily | Elders suggest gentle leg cycling, or even bouncing lightly on thighs to “release hawa.” |
| Traditional beliefs | “Nazar” or evil eye sometimes gets blamed for inconsolable crying | Cue: dadi/nani lighting camphor or waving chillies — not medical, but a soothing ritual for family peace of mind. |
Myth vs Fact: Gas & Colic Edition
- Myth: “Colic happens because baby caught a cold breeze (thandi hawa).”
Fact: Science doesn’t back this directly — but cold exposure can make babies uncomfortable, which in turn increases crying and swallowed air. Warm oil massages and swaddling may not “cure” colic, but they do soothe. - Myth: “Breastfeeding moms must avoid all spicy food.”
Fact: Most babies tolerate their mother’s diet just fine. But certain foods (like rajma, chana, cauliflower, cabbage) do cause gas in some infants. Instead of cutting all spices, try eliminating one food at a time to see what helps. - Myth: “Evil eye (nazar) makes babies cry inconsolably.”
Fact: No medical basis here — but rituals like waving chillies or lighting camphor calm anxious parents and often end up soothing the baby too (because the atmosphere gets quieter, calmer, and more intentional). - Myth: “Formula-fed babies always have more gas.”
Fact: Gas can happen in both breastfed and formula-fed babies. But formula digestion does differ, and sometimes a different brand or slow-flow nipple can make a big difference. - Myth: “Ajwain water cures baby gas instantly.”
Fact: Ajwain (carom seeds) is excellent for digestion, but it should be given to nursing moms, not directly to newborns. The benefit passes through breastmilk. For older infants (6+ months, starting solids), diluted ajwain water can sometimes help under pediatric guidance.
Practical Soothing Techniques & Remedies
1. Feeding Adjustments
- Paced Bottle Feeding: Hold the bottle at an angle so the nipple is always full of milk, not air. Helps reduce gulping.
- Smaller, Frequent Feeds: A baby’s tummy is the size of a tiny lemon 🍋. Overfeeding can overwhelm it, so smaller intervals work better.
- Switching Formula (Doctor-Guided): If colic persists, sometimes a pediatrician may suggest changing formula (to hydrolyzed or lactose-free).
- Breastfeeding Tip: If you have strong let-down, express a little milk first, so baby doesn’t gulp too fast.
2. Burping & Positioning
- Burp Positions:
- Over the Shoulder: Classic, with gentle pats.
- Sitting on Lap: Baby upright, chin supported.
- Face-Down on Lap: Belly pressure + patting combo.
- Tummy Time: A few supervised minutes help strengthen muscles and ease trapped gas.
- Bengali Hing Massage: Dissolve a tiny pinch of asafoetida in warm water, make a paste, and rub gently around baby’s navel (external use only).
- “Cycle Legs” Exercise: Move baby’s legs in a gentle pedaling motion — works like yoga for mini tummies.
3. Gentle Comfort Measures
- Warm Oil Massage:
- Bengal: Mustard oil warmed with a garlic clove (for “ushnotto”) — applied on tummy, soles, and back.
- South India: Coconut oil massage for cooling comfort.
- Ajwain Potli (Nani-Nuskha): Roasted carom seeds in a muslin cloth, placed near (not on) the tummy. Smells soothing, believed to release gas.
- Castor Oil Rub (Tamil Amma’s Tip): A fingertip’s worth of castor oil around the belly button at night, said to cool the stomach.
- Warm Bath: Water relaxes tense abdominal muscles, easing colic.
- Tiger-in-the-Tree Hold: Hold baby face-down across your forearm, tummy resting on your arm — gentle pressure helps.
4. Rhythmic Motion & Calming Sounds
- Rocking Chair or Jhula: That steady sway is practically magic.
- Babywearing: A snug carrier keeps baby close to your heartbeat and eases fussiness.
- Car Rides: The hum and vibration of the car often lull babies (parents may get addicted to these emergency drives 🤭).
- White Noise: Try apps or natural sounds (fan, shushing, even the kitchen exhaust).
- Lullabies: From Rabindra Sangeet in Bengal to Tamil folk thaalattu songs, a parent’s singing is often more powerful than Spotify.
5. Remedies for Moms (Passed Through Breast Milk)
- Omam (Ajwain) Water: Sipping ajwain-infused water aids digestion and reduces bloating in moms.
- Jeera Kashayam: Cumin water is a staple for postpartum moms in Tamil homes — light and soothing.
- Methi Water: Some North Indian families give fenugreek seed water to new mothers, which also supports lactation.
- Bengali Dida’s Kitchen Rules:
- Moong Dal Khichuri → light, gut-friendly.
- Paanch Phoron Torkari → cooked with very little oil/spice to keep mom’s digestion calm (and therefore baby’s too).
- Avoid Gassy Foods (If Breastfeeding): Moms often avoid rajma, chana, and cauliflower in early months to see if baby reacts less.
6. Pacifiers & Herbal/Modern Options
- Pacifier: Works as a self-soothing tool. Some babies calm instantly when allowed to suck.
- Gripe Water Debate: Generations of grandmoms say it works; doctors say check labels and avoid unless recommended. Some Indian brands still use herbs like dill or fennel.
- Herbal Teas for Mom: Fennel tea or ginger water (for the mother, not baby) — believed to ease digestion and pass benefits via breast milk.
- Probiotics (Doctor-Guided): Lactobacillust reuteri drops have shown promise in reducing colic in some babies.
7. Extra Tricks Parents Swear By
- “Cycle Rides” with Baby: Legs pedaling while singing silly songs = laughter + relief.
- Sling Nap: Baby naps snug against you while you get hands-free time.
- Switching Environments: Sometimes just stepping into the balcony, garden, or even a quieter room helps break the crying cycle.
- Massage with Asafoetida Oil (used in some households): Mustard oil infused with hing, rubbed gently on the tummy (external only).
- Gas-Relief Drops (Pediatrician Prescribed): Simethicone drops and Neopeptine drops are sometimes suggested for stubborn cases.
When to Worry & Call the Doctor
If you do some of the soothing tricks and still feel uneasy, here are red flags not to ignore. Trust your parent-instinct.
- Baby has fever (especially over 100.4°F / 38°C), or chill, or seems very lethargic.
- Vomiting that is forceful, green, or contains blood.
- Stool has blood or mucus, or frequent severe diarrhea.
- Baby isn’t gaining weight or is losing weight.
- Signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, sunken soft spot, etc.
- Crying is very different from usual cries: strange high-pitched scream, or very weak.
- Skin color changes, breathing difficulties, arching of back with feeding (could signal reflux).
If any of these appear, contact your pediatrician.
Also, if colic continues beyond ~4-6 months, or you feel unable to cope emotionally, it’s okay to seek help for you too.
What to Expect: Timeline & Hope
- Most babies begin colic a few weeks after birth. It often peaks around 4-6 weeks.
- Typically, things start improving by 3-4 months. By then, many babies outgrow much of the fussiness. Occasionally it may last a bit longer.
- Improvement is gradual: you might notice shorter crying spells, more periods of calm, better feeding/sleep behavior.
Gentle Tips for Parents
(Because You Deserve Kindness Too)
- Give yourself permission to take breaks. Even stepping away for 5 minutes, pass baby to partner, mil, or even Bobi the cat for moral support 🐈, making a warm drink can help your spirit.
- Talk to someone: partner, family, friend, fellow mom/dad. Sharing the load and feelings reduces the burden.
- Eat balanced food — your digestion helps theirs if breastfeeding
- Rest when you can (yes, I hear the sarcastic laugh, but try). It may not feel possible, but catching even small pockets of sleep matters.
- Trust your instincts — you know your baby best.
- Remember: this phase does pass. It’s hard, but temporary.
A Little Lightness:
What You Can Try (Because Laughing Helps)
- Sing ridiculous songs. Baby probably won’t care, but maybe you will.
- Try what I call “the Bubble Stroll”: blow bubbles while walking the baby. Movement + gentle visual + fun = distraction gold.
- Wear a funny t-shirt when out. People will smile. You might get a compliment. That helps.
Final Word
Gas and colic are tricky, because there’s no one-size-fits-all cure. But gentle tweaks — to feeding, holding, environment — can make a big difference.
And the constant crying? It’s not your fault, often not even your baby’s (not fully). It’s just one of those phases with no roadmap. But with love, patience, and some trial and error, the storm does calm.
Indian homes are full of remedies, from hing water in Bengal to ajwain potlis in Delhi to omam kashayams in Tamil Nadu. Some of these age-old practices genuinely help; others are comfort rituals that make parents feel empowered. Mix the best of modern pediatrics with your family’s gentle traditions, and you’ll find a rhythm that works.
Your arms, voice, touch mean more to your baby than you know. Keep going. Relief is ahead.
Remember: colic feels endless, but it will pass. Till then, keep calm, keep burping, and maybe keep a stash of ajwain handy.
💛 From one tired-but-hopeful mama to another,
— Pallavi @ The Good Juju
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