Like other parents, you're probably wondering whether your baby has colic, a condition that many of us fear. Even though those screams may lead you to believe otherwise, infant colic is usually not a major problem, and it certainly does not indicate that you are doing anything wrong. Fortunately, colic ultimately resolves itself. The good news is that colic won't last forever, explains Dr Shilpa Pandya, Consultant Pediatrician, Kinder Hospitals, Bangalore
What Is Colic?
Colic is characterised by a great deal of sobbing, all babies are fussy and cry a lot, particularly in the first three months of life. However, some newborns cry excessively; colic affects around 20 to 25 per cent of infants, and it is commonly characterised by the "rule of three”. That is when an otherwise healthy infant under three months of age screams for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, and for more than three weeks in a row for no obvious cause.What Causes Colic?
There is still no definite explanation for what causes colic, and there is no test to confirm a baby's diagnosis. To get to the bottom of things, you should be aware of all probable causes of colic in your infant before attempting to apply the elimination process.Possible causes of colic are:- Milk allergies: The baby may be intolerant to cow's milk protein. However, most people with this allergy will outgrow it within the first year. This syndrome affects children who are intolerant to the proteins contained in cow's milk, either whey or casein, or both. They'll often cry with feedings and you'll typically find blood in their stool.
- Your diet: If you're nursing, colic might be a response to your nutrition. Consider changing your diet and drinking habits to see if it reduces crying. You might try removing caffeine, soy, fish, nuts, eggs, dairy, wheat, and other potentially irritating items from your diet one at a time to see if your baby's colic symptoms improve.
- Overfeeding: Some newborns may cry if their stomachs are overfull. Overfeeding is indicated by the infant looking away or shutting their mouth before their typical breastfeeding period or bottle is finished. They may also be spitting up a lot.
- Gas: All those colicky screams might be the result of uncomfortable bloating caused by gas. The problem is that it's difficult to know if the gas is causing the colic or if the colic is creating the gas because of the prolonged sobbing.
- Cigarette smoking: Babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy or after delivery, or who live in households with smokers, are more likely to be colicky.
How Do I Know If My Baby Has Colic?
Crying is common in newborns since that is how they communicate early on; regular crying may continue for up to two hours each day. This may seem like a lot, but as any parent of a colicky infant will tell you, colic takes on a whole new dimension. When a baby cries, parents normally check to see whether they are sleepy, hungry, need to burp or have a dirty diaper. If a parent tries all the usual ways to help a crying baby and they don't help, it may be colic.A colicky infant often seems uncomfortable, scrunching up their small body and hands. Baby colic often shows as crying between 6 pm and midnight, regardless of activities. These colicky screams are louder and higher-pitched than typical crying, creating the impression that the infant needs urgent care, even if you are already providing it. This may be quite stressful for parents, especially as colicky newborns are notoriously difficult to quiet down. Furthermore, determining what causes newborn colic may be difficult, stressful, and demoralising.If you fear your baby's sobbing is excessive and may be due to infant colic, contact your paediatrician. They may examine your baby and ask questions to rule out other potential diagnoses.Colic Symptoms
Crying and fussing are normal in the first few months of life. However, if the baby is prospering and generally healthy—that is, the baby tolerates feeds, isn't losing weight, isn't vomiting, doesn't have diarrhoea, and has no fever—and they meet the "rule of three" noted above, they may have colic. Watch out for any of the following infant colic symptoms:- Posture alterations: Colicky newborns often scrunch up their bodies; you may see strained abdominal muscles, clenched hands, and curled-up legs.
- Intense, uncontrollable crying: The baby doesn't require anything and seems to be crying for no apparent reason. Infant colic causes more intense sobbing in a disturbed, higher-pitched tone that is louder than your child's regular cry. The baby may also seem blazing red and tough to console or soothe.
How Is Colic Diagnosed?
Ultimately, your paediatrician will confirm it. It's usually a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning there is no other cause for the crying. Because the baby will have several check-ups in those early days, you will have plenty of opportunities to speak with your child's doctor if you suspect colic.To diagnose colic, the doctor will first ensure that the baby's growth and development are on track. The paediatrician will examine for evidence of any medical problems, such as GERD(Gastroesophageal reflux disease), allergies, or infections, and will enquire about your baby's habits and behaviours to see if he or she is just overtired or overstimulated. Experts say they'll want to know if the baby spits up often or has trouble or pain eating, as well as if they wheeze, cough, or have blood in their stool. They will also enquire about when the infant cries throughout the day, what seems to cause the weeping, how long they cry, and how long these crying periods have lasted.In general, if nothing looks out of the ordinary and the infant seems to be healthy, colic might be the cause of all the weeping.Colic Remedies
No one cure can eliminate infant colic symptoms permanently or even consistently. Some treatments may not work for your child at all, while others may seem like a lifesaver. It's all about trying various strategies and determining what works. You may try any or all of these colic cures to help your baby relax, lower the severity of their wailing, and reclaim some of your sanity. But, as usual, consult your paediatrician before beginning any colic treatments.- Anti-gas medicine
- Probiotics
- Offer a dummy
- Keep the infant upright during feeding
- Switch to a formula for colicky newborns
- Maintain a consistent bedtime
- Get the baby moving
- Play music or white/background noise
- Gripe water
- Chamomile tea
What Not To Use To Treat Newborn Colic?
Though it has appeared on parenting forums, experts warn against using essential oils to calm a colicky infant. Do not use essential oils! since they may have negative consequences. Those smells shouldn't be around babies.There are also "anti-colic" infant bottles on the market. There are bottles where you swallow less gas, but there's no such thing as a real 'anti-colic bottle. As much as you want to soothe a colicky infant, be wary of promotional promises.How To Prevent Colic?
Unfortunately, there is no method to stop newborn colic. Your fifth child may be quite colicky even if the other four are not. And that's what makes colic so frustrating: it's still unclear what causes colic in newborns. However, patience and the knowledge that infant colic will pass may make all the difference for parents going through this brief but difficult time.FAQs on Colic: How to Help Soothe Your Colicky Baby?
- When does colic start?Just when you're adjusting to life with a new baby in the family and getting accustomed to the lack of sleep and baby colic, dealing with these strong emotions as colic symptoms arise may be difficult for new parents. Colic usually peaks between 6 and 8 weeks of life. You'll see that during this period, babies with colic are often scrunching their abdomen.
- How long does colic last?It may seem like the tears will never cease at the moment, but it will. Colic typically gets better somewhere between nine and 16 weeks, although it may linger up to six months.