Your baby cries every evening for hours at a time, and the
crying has worn you down to the point where you feel like joining
in. What could be upsetting your child?
Though all newborns cry and show some fussiness, when a child
who is otherwise healthy cries for more than 3 hours per day, more
than 3 days per week for at least 3 weeks, it is a condition known
as colic, which is perfectly normal and eventually goes away on its
own.
About Colic
It's estimated that up to 40% of all infants have colic. It
usually starts between the 3rd and 6th week after birth and ends by
the time the baby is 3 months old. If the baby is still crying
excessively after that, another health problem may be to blame.
Here are some key facts about colic:
- Colicky babies have a healthy sucking reflex and a good
appetite and are otherwise healthy and growing well. Call your
doctor if your baby isn't feeding well or doesn't have a
strong sucking reflex.
- Colicky babies like to be cuddled and handled. Call your
doctor if your baby seems uncomfortable when handled or is
difficult to console.
- Colicky babies may spit up from time to time, but if your
baby is actually
vomiting
and/or losing weight, call the doctor. Vomiting repeatedly is not
a sign of colic.
- Colicky babies typically have normal stools. If your baby has
diarrhea or blood in the stool, call your doctor.
What Causes Colic?
Doctors aren't sure what causes colic. Milk intolerance has
been suggested as a possible culprit, but doctors now believe that
this is rarely the case.
Breastfed
babies get colic too; in these cases, dietary changes by the mother
may help the colic to subside. Some breastfeeding women find that
getting rid of caffeine in their diet helps, while others see
improvements when they eliminate dairy products.
Some colicky babies also have gas, but it's not clear if the
gas causes colic or if the babies develop gas as a result of
swallowing too much air while crying.
Some theories suggest that colic occurs when food moves too
quickly through a baby's digestive system or is incompletely
digested. Other theories are that colic is due to a baby's
temperament, that some babies just take a little bit longer to get
adjusted to the world, or that some have undiagnosed
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
. It's also been found that infants of mothers who smoke are
more likely to have colic.
Treating Colic
No single treatment has proved to make colic go away. But there
are ways to make life easier for both you and your colicky
baby.
First, if your baby is not hungry, don't try to continue the
feeding. Instead, try to console your little one - you won't be
"spoiling" the baby with the attention. You can also:
- Walk with your baby or sit in a rocking chair, trying various
positions.
- Try burping your baby more often during feedings.
- Place your baby across your lap on his or her belly and rub
your baby's back.
- Put your baby in a swing or vibrating seat. The motion may
have a soothing effect.
- Put your baby in an infant car seat in the back of the car
and go for a ride. The vibration and movement of the car are
often calming.
- Play music tapes - some babies respond to sound as well as
movement.
- Place your baby in the same room as a running clothes dryer,
white noise machine, or vacuum - some infants find the low
constant noise soothing.
- Some babies need decreased stimulation and may do well
swaddled, in a darkened room.
Caring for a colicky baby can be extremely frustrating, so be
sure to take care of yourself, too. Don't blame yourself or
your baby for the constant crying - colic is nobody's fault.
Try to relax, and remember that your baby will eventually outgrow
this phase.
In the meantime, if you need a break from your baby's
crying, take one. Friends and relatives are often happy to watch
your baby when you need some time to yourself. If no one is
immediately available, it's OK to put the baby down in the crib
and take a break before making another attempt at consolation. If
at any time you feel like you might hurt yourself or the baby, put
the baby down in the crib and call for help immediately.
If the baby has a temperature of 100.4º Fahrenheit (38º Celsius)
or more, is crying for more than 2 hours at a time, is
inconsolable, isn't feeding well, has diarrhea or persistent
vomiting, or is less awake or alert than usual, call your doctor
right away. You should also call your doctor if you're unsure
whether your baby's crying is colic or a symptom of another
illness.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: June 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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