Colic in Babies

Just about every baby, starting as early as 2 weeks, has an upset period sometime during the day for seemingly no reason at all. However, sometimes a baby’s normal fussiness turns into extended periods of crying that go on and on and can’t be soothed. These nerve-wracking crying episodes could indicate the baby has colic.

Read on to find out, what might cause it, how you can try to comfort your little one if he has colic, how you yourself can find relief from the stress of colicky crying, and when to take your baby to his healthcare provider.

What Is the Difference Between Normal and Colicky Crying?

Sometimes your baby will cry because she is hungry or tired, or because she has a wet diaper. But when she’s been fed, cuddled, or had her diaper changed, she will stop crying.

If, however, she seems to cry for no reason, and continues to cry even once you’ve checked her diaper, fed her, and comforted her as best you can, she may have colic.

This is what sets normal crying apart from colicky crying. With normal crying, your baby will respond to comfort measures and will stop crying eventually; with colic, your baby persistently cries and can’t seem to be consoled.

What Is the Definition of Colic?

Colic is the word used to describe a condition when a healthy baby cries for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for three or more weeks, and is hard to console or comfort.

With a colicky baby, the bouts of crying typically intensify and last as the day goes on, and can worsen in the evening, typically between 6 pm and midnight.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Colic?

If you suspect you have a colicky baby, look out for the following possible signs and symptoms:

• Inconsolable crying

• Screaming

• Extending or pulling up of his legs to his tummy

• Passing gas

• Enlarged or distended stomach

• Arched back

• Clenched fists

• Reddened face after a long episode of crying.

How to Treat a Colicky Baby

Many parents feel helpless and confused about what to do to help treat their colicky baby. Here are some treatment remedies you could try to help limit or prevent colic in your baby, sometimes even before a bout of crying starts:

• Do not overfeed your baby. This can make her uncomfortable. It might be best to wait about two to two and a half hours in between feedings.

• Watch what you’re eating. If you’re breastfeeding, try to eliminate caffeine, onions, cabbage, and other potentially irritating foods from your diet.

• Switch formulas. If you’re feeding your baby formula, check with her healthcare provider about trying a hydrolyzed formula (hypoallergenic), in case the colic may be a result of an allergy to something in the formula.

• Rock, walk, and hold. Rock your baby in your arms or in a rocking chair. Put her in a swing. Walk with your baby in a stroller or baby carrier. Hold her against your chest. Take her for a car ride. These motions and the close contact can be soothing for your little one.

• Try burping your baby more often.

• Offer your baby a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier may help calm her.

• Give her a gentle massage. Place your baby across your lap, tummy down, and rub her back.

• Turn on some white noise. Turn on a fan, a dryer, vacuum cleaner, or shusher as she may find these kinds of noises comforting.

• Give her a warm bath.

• Play soft music, sing, or talk to her.

• Wrap her securely in a large, thin blanket.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for colic. Remember that sometimes no matter what you do your baby will cry. So don’t beat yourself up about it. Try any number of these different approaches. If one method doesn’t work within a week, go with another treatment on the list.

You may find that by the time you’ve tried most of these steps, your baby will have outgrown this colicky phase.

What Causes Colic?

Medical experts aren’t quite sure what causes colic. The condition could result from multiple contributing factors, which may include:

• Gas from air swallowed during nursing or crying

• Digestive system that is still underdeveloped or an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive system

• Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Overfeeding or underfeeding

• Not enough burping

• Food allergies or milk intolerances

• An early form of childhood migraine

• Exposure to tobacco smoke

• Family tension.

When Does Colic Typically Start?

Normal crying typically starts when your little one is about 2 weeks old. When babies develop colic, it's usually between 2 and 4 weeks of age. About 1 in 5 babies end up with colic.

How Long Does Colic Typically Last?

Colic episodes can last for about 3 hours a day until your baby is about 6 weeks old; then, these episodes may get shorter and last about 1 or 2 hours a day until your little one is about 3 or 4 months old.

In general, colicky crying tends to stop when your child is about 4 months old, but it can sometimes last until about 6 months of age.

When to See Your Healthcare Provider

If your baby’s crying persists and nothing seems to help, it could be time to visit your baby’s healthcare provider. He will be able to determine whether your little one has colic or pinpoint another medical condition.

Also, if your baby still shows signs of colic once he’s more than half a year old, speak to your baby’s healthcare provider to find out if there is an underlying cause.

Seek immediate medical attention if your baby

• is running a fever with a temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or higher

• is crying for more than two hours at a time

• isn’t feeding well

• is vomiting or has diarrhea (read more about baby poop here)

• is sleepier than usual for a baby.

Coping With a Colicky Baby as a Parent

When your baby has colic, it’s important to pay attention to your own emotional state. Caring for a colicky baby can be tough, and can make many parents feel anxious and inadequate, not to mention stressed.

No matter how frustrated you feel, never shake your baby. Shaking an infant can cause bleeding in the brain, leading to permanent damage and even death.

If you find yourself feeling out of control and unable to cope with your baby’s crying, try one or more of the following steps for some relief:

• Take deep breaths and count to 10

• Put your baby in his crib or another safe place, and leave the room to take a break

• Call a friend or family member for emotional support

• Call your healthcare provider and make an appointment to have your baby seen to rule out a medical condition unrelated to colic

• Ask for and accept help from family and friends who can take care of your baby for a short period, giving you a much-needed break

• Don’t feel guilty about comforting your baby. You are not spoiling her. By holding her, you are trying to make her feel better, and eventually the colic will subside.

No matter how upset or frustrated you might feel when your baby is crying, remember that you’re doing a great job as a parent. Soon enough, this colicky phase will pass, and you can get through this.

No matter what, one thing is for certain, you’ll need a lot of diapers. Did you know that you can get rewards for all those purchases? Download the Pampers Rewards app today to start racking up points that you can redeem for rewards. You deserve all these rewards and more!