Baby Colic: What it is & How to Deal With it

Baby Colic are episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for three weeks in an otherwise healthy child. These episodes of crying typically does not result in long term problems. The crying can cause frustration for the parents, depression following delivery, excess visits to the doctor, and in worse cases, child abuse.

Colic affects about 10–40% of children. It is most common at six weeks of age and typically goes away by six months of age. It occurs at the same rate in boys and in girls.

The cause of colic is unknown, but believed to be linked to gastrointestinal discomfort like intestinal cramping. Most parents offer gripe water, or just try to comfort the baby till the cramping subsides. It becomes a rising concern when it comes with a fever or poor activity.

Symptoms of Colic in Babies

A very common sign is the predictable crying episodes. A baby who has colic often cries about the same time every day, usually in the late afternoon or evening.

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• Legs pulled up to the stomach
• A flushed face and a wrinkled brow
• Clenched hands.
• The cry is often high pitched (piercing).

Colic Relief Tips

Management of colic generally involves the reassurance of parents. Calming measures may be used. Swaddling, rocking your baby side by side, flexing baby’s legs and maintaining eye contact. No medications have been recorded for the relief of colic, however, some parents say a good remedy is Gripe water, as they claim it is a good cure for colic. All medications for your newborn MUST be prescribed by your pediatrician.

• Try to figure out what sometimes seems to work to soothe your baby. If you can identify one or two things, try them one by one when he’s crying
• If the crying is really upsetting you, put him down somewhere safe and take a break. Take some deep breaths before you pick him up again
• Change your environment. Sometimes just taking your baby outside will quieten him a little
• Don’t change your diet, your breast milk is rarely to blame for colic; though you may consider reducing the amount of caffeine you are having as this can be unsettling for young babies. Or reduce the amount of eggs and cow’s milk you consume as your baby may be lactose intolerant