Colic in infants

Colic can be very frustrating

Especially for first-time parents. Your otherwise healthy-appearing and well-fed child cries inconsolably and nothing you do seems to comfort him or her. Colic is typically defined as a baby that cries more than 3 hours a day, 3 or more times a week. It usually follows a pattern, occurring during certain periods of the day. This starts a few weeks after birth and starts to improve at 3 months of age. This can be distressing to you and your baby, but take comfort in the knowledge that it isn't permanent. Symptoms in addition to the crying include arching back, extended legs, fist clenching, belching, excessing passing of gas and difficulty passing stools.

There is no known cause for colic, although it is felt to be related to the stomach and/or intestines, so the treatment of it varies and consists of trial-and-error to find whatever will reduce the crying. It's felt to be related to the digestive tract because of the symptoms as described above, but not all babies with these symptoms have colic; it seems to be a catch-all for infants who exhibit these behaviors but are otherwise healthy. However, if your baby is running a fever, not eating or sleeping, or has other symptoms that point to an infection or other, more serious, conditions, you should see your pediatrician.

Twenty-five percent of infants display symptoms of colic, so it's a fairly common problem in the first few months of life. It goes without saying that smoking cessation during pregnancy is important for many reasons, and it is felt to be a factor in colic, with more infants of mothers who smoke having colic than those born to mothers who don't smoke. Otherwise, colic has no relation to a baby's birth order (first, last, middle) or gender. It occurs with the same frequency in all infants whose mothers are non-smokers.

Some babies comfort when held in a certain position. While this can be tiring for parents, so can excessive crying! Staying calm and not getting anxious is important in consoling a colicky baby.

If you are feeding formula and notice that crying occurs shortly after feeding, try switching to a different formula, such as soy; cow's milk formula is felt to be one cause of colic. If you are nursing and notice the crying occurs after feeding, evaluate your diet to determine if the baby is reacting to something you are eating that's passing through your milk. There is disagreement in the medical community about whether or not formula or a nursing mother's diet contribute to colic, but it doesn't hurt to look at whatever remedies may provide the easiest and most instant relief.

Try feeding the baby in different positions, such as sitting more upright (difficult when nursing) and burping more frequently. Gentle tummy rubs may also help. Some people find that a warmed blanket placed on the stomach during and after feeding helps.

It's never bad to give your newborn attention; you can't spoil a newborn. Newborns require a lot of attention and they can't tell us what's wrong. Just remember that this, too, shall pass and you will have one of the more difficult aspects of caring for a newborn behind you, along with more experience for the next time!