As a new parent, you are likely excited with the recent addition to your family. However, many new parents, such as yourself, experience symptoms of anxiety, particularly when it comes to a colicky infant. Colic is the term used to describe gas and pain that occurs in the intestines. Infants and babies are most susceptible to colic. While the problem may seem nerve wracking, here are some creative parenting tips to help clam and soothe your baby.

Apply Good Vibrations

Your infant is likely to cry because of the pain caused by colic. Unfortunately, your child's cries may often seem inconsolable, but gentle vibrations can help gas bubbles move through your child's belly. Apply vibrations by doing the following:

• Rock your child: Invest in a comfortable rocking chair of glider. The rocking motion mimics the same motion your child experienced while in your womb. The gentle rocking can help comfort your baby while encouraging gas to move through the intestines to ease colic.
• Bounce your child: Use a large exercise ball and bounce up and down – gently – while holding your child. The gentle bouncing can help ease gas pains, allowing your child to digest foods and beverages to reduce the symptoms of colic.
• Go for a drive: Strap your child into the car seat and drive around the block a few times. The vibration of the drive will help put your child at ease, allowing gas bubbles to move through his or her belly.

Switch Formulas

Colic may be the result of your infant's sensitive stomach. Not all babies can handle mother's milk or day-to-day formulas. Instead, your child may need a special type of formula, such as soy milk. Talk to your infant's pediatrician about switching formulas. If your baby experiences vomiting or excessive crying, keep switching formulas until you find one that works best.

Introduce Comforting Sounds

Approximately 25% of infants suffer from colic. Symptoms can occur in a child as young as 3 weeks old. Although colic presents itself as physical symptoms, it may also be the result of psychological factors, such as differences in brain chemistry. Fortunately, you can soothe your baby's nerves, and your own, by introducing calming sound effects. The following sounds can help ease your baby's crying:

• Vacuum cleaner: Run a vacuum cleaner across the floor when your child experiences a fit of colic. The humming sound of the vacuum often distracts your baby, which gives them something other than the source of their pain and discomfort to focus on.
• Aquarium: If you have an aerator in your aquarium, the sound of the bubbles and moving water creates a calming effect that can ease your child's nerves. Soothed nerves means less crying, and less crying means a happier mommy and daddy.
• Dryer: Bring your child into the laundry room with you and run the dryer. The sound of the dryer is similar to that of the vacuum cleaner and the aquarium in that it will help comfort your child with a calming sound. For better results, place your child in an infant seat on top of the dryer. Do not leave your baby's side as to avoid the risk of your baby falling off. The combination of the sound and the vibration will both calm your baby and get gas moving effectively.

Just because your baby has colic doesn't mean you have to give up the idea of a happy, healthy baby. These tips can help both you and your baby experience a much more comforting and ideal family situation. However, if the stress of your child's colic proves too difficult or you are at a loss in terms of ways to soothe your baby, consider speaking with a parenting therapist.

A parenting therapist can talk you through various techniques that reduce your anxiety. If you feel anxious, your baby will feel it, too, which can lead to even more crying and upset. Contact a therapist near you for helpful advice in dealing with your colicky baby.