How To Choose a Formula for a Colicky Baby

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If your baby tends to cry for what seems like forever during the same hours everyday, for what appears to be no reason, she may be experiencing colic. Strictly speaking, colic is not an illness and doesn't have a prescribed cure. Though babies experience colic during their second to third months, the good news is that it usually subsides and gradually disappears by their sixth month. In the meantime, how will you be able to ease your baby's discomfort during the time she experiences colic? One way is to adjust her formula. Remember: if you suspect your baby to have colic, you must consult with your baby's pediatrician. This step is especially important before you make any adjustments to your baby's formula. With that being said, here are some ways to choose a formula for a colicky baby:

Choose a baby formula that is lactose-free. Some 25% of newborns are determined to be lactose-intolerant; these babies will find milk-based formulas (and their sugars) to be rather hard to digest. With this in mind, you could opt for soy-based formulas or hypoallergenic formulas instead.
Choose an easy-to-digest formula. If your baby isn't lactose-intolerant after all, it may simply be that the milk-based formula she receives is hard for her to digest. There are available substitutes with easy-to-digest milk proteins, such as Aptamil Baby Formula Milk and Carnation Good Start formula.
Visit baby formula websites. This is to help you possibly score discounts on baby milk (or milk substitute) formulas that will help ease your colicky baby's symptoms. Do be aware that formula brands that help ease colic tend to be more expensive than ordinary brands. Join mailing lists and sign up for alerts whenever they have ongoing promos and discounts.
Know how to choose baby bottles. One of the factors that further aggravate a baby's colic symptoms is gas; the more gas she takes in, the worse her little tummy might feel, and the more she will express her discomfort by crying. That's why apart from the formula itself, you should also choose baby bottles that will help reduce your baby's intake of gas. There are specially-made bottles that eliminates excess gas, such as Dr. Brown's Natural Flow baby bottle and Born Free Wide Neck Bottles.
Try other colic remedies. Some studies show that probiotics can effectively reduce a colicky baby's symptoms. One brand you can try out (again, with the pediatrician's approval) is the BioGaia Probiotics drops.
Know of other ways to address your baby's crying. Thankfully, there are many other ways that you can do to lessen your baby's discomfort. Check out this really helpful article about how to relieve gassy babies.

Remember, it may be very difficult to deal with a colicky infant, but it's good to remember that this is not a permanent condition and what you really need is the patience to ride this out until your baby outgrows her symptoms. In the meantime, it helps to know the tips above so you can make things easier both for your baby and you. And with your baby's pediatrician as your ally, you should be able to emerge from this whole period unscathed. Good luck, and hope this helped!