You don't need to rush out and buy expensive books or medication at the first sign of colic in your baby. There are some simple measures you can take first. However, if colic pains persist in the baby, seek advice from a baby clinic or physician.

Colic is a phrase used to describe unhappy babies. It is not an accurate diagnosis - the symptoms could be due to trapped winds (Intestinal wind and gas), muscle spasms or neurological overload.

Symptoms of colic vary from baby to baby. If your baby has more than 3 of the symptoms below (in the same hour) it probably means your baby has colic:

moaning, restless sleep, clenched fists, cramping, refluxing, grunting, pushing, fretfulness, crying spells, wailing, bloating, groaning, arching, evening, fussiness, greenish stools.

If your baby is under two years old you should avoid feeding with any kind of milk except human breast milk or infant formula milk. In particular, do not give the baby goat's milk or cow's milk. Also, do not give the baby soy milk, rice milk, or any other kind of non-dairy milk, unless it is specifically formulated as infant formula.

Soy milk as sold in supermarkets is unsuitable for babies under two years old. When it comes to soy infant formula, there have been reports in the press saying infant soy formula may affect children's sexual development and fertility as adults if they are given soy formula during their first few months of life. Therefore do your utmost to give your baby breast milk only in the first few months of life.

You basically have a choice between soy formula or dairy milk formula. There is no evidence that soy infant formula is more likely or less likely to cause colic compared to formulas that contain whey or casein. Note that some infant formulas may contain a mix of soy and whey protein.

To relieve your baby of colic learn how to use special baby-holding positions and stretching techniques designed to give the baby relief. Such information is widely available from maternity wards, baby clinics, and other sources such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, a public library, or by searching on internet.

The purpose of giving the baby special holding and stretching exercises is to stimulate the burping of gas and to reposition the intestines. These exercices also relieve pressure on the diaphragm and lumbar spine. You should be gentle at all times and hold the baby safely with plenty of pillow support as applicable.