Colic or infantile colic is a condition where a baby who is healthy cries excessively for no apparent reason.
According to a study published on the NIH website, colic affects up to 20% of infants and it is the most frequently presented infant condition in health facilities. The first sign of baby colic is often abrupt, accompanied by prolonged, loud crying. For parents, this constant, uncontrollable crying can be extremely distressing and challenging.
Baby colic frequently causes fussiness, gas, and poor sleep for babies. However, they often grow and gain weight normally. Colic resolves itself and this usually happens by three months of age, or by six months.
Baby colic causes
Physicians do not know the precise cause of baby colic. Here are a few theories as to why it occurs:
- Gas: Some people believe that infantile colic is caused by gas. However, there isn’t much evidence to back this up. Colic is unaffected by gas treatment. Also, doctors don’t think that colicky babies produce more gas than other babies. Although colicky babies may appear to pass gas more frequently than other babies, that’s probably because they swallow more air when they cry for a longer period.
- Noise or light sensitivity: Newborns have to adapt to bright lights, loud noises, and other new surroundings after birth. However, the personalities (temperaments) of babies vary. Some babies are good at handling these situations while some babies require more time to adjust. A baby may use crying as a way to express their emotions while they adjust to their new environment.
- Milk allergy: Belly pain may be a symptom of milk protein intolerance or milk allergy. However, these frequently result in loose stools (diarrhea). If a newborn exhibits symptoms of milk allergy and becomes intolerant to a formula change, it may be a milk allergy. However, there is no evidence to ascertain that switching to a non-milk formula relieves colic in any way.
- A growing nervous system: Some babies appear to be highly responsive to stimuli. Their neurological system is still growing and not fully developed. Therefore, they are unable to self-soothe and become peaceful. Babies become better at managing their nervous systems as they get older.
Other things thought to cause infantile colic include early manifestation of pediatric migraine, excitement, frustration, or fear, a developing digestive tract and frequently spasming muscles, hormones that make babies grumpy or have stomach pain, or over stimulation.
Many health disorders can resemble baby colic. If you’re concerned about your baby’s crying habits, your doctor may do a thorough examination to rule out possible problems such as: infection; acid reflux or stomach issues; sensitivity to formula or breastmilk; pressure or inflammation in the brain and nervous system; eye issues, such as a scrape or increased pressure; uneven heartbeat; and bones, muscles, or finger injury
Symptoms of infantile colic
Infants frequently exhibit symptoms of colic at similar times each day, generally in the evening. Colicky crying sounds distinct from regular newborn crying. If your infant has colic, their cries may:
- Sound urgent without a clear reason, like hunger or a soiled diaper
- Be high-pitched and loud, as if they are in pain
- Last several hours
Babies with colic also show symptoms such as:
- Clenched fists, tight arms, and a bright crimson face as they cry
- Burping and passing a large amount of gas
- A tight belly
Baby colic treatment
The main objective of baby colic treatment is to try and calm the baby. The following interventions can achieve this objective.
Soothing strategies
Having a strategy, calming techniques you might try, is useful. Some techniques may work better than others, while some might function once and not again. Soothing strategies may include:
- Giving the baby a warm bath
- Use a pacifier
- Take them for a walk in a baby stroller or a car ride
- Make sure that the baby is not hungry
- Massage their tummy and back
- Dim lights and limit other visual stimulation
- Wear the baby and walk around
- Put them in a swing
- Swaddle the baby in a soft bracket
- Talk or sing to the baby softly
- Give your baby space to cry for a short while. If soothing activities such as walking, rocking, singing, and massaging don’t appear to help, place the infant in the cot for ten to fifteen minutes and observe whether the child settles on their own. A newborn sometimes needs some alone time, and you may need it too.
Feeding practices
Changes to feeding habits might also offer some relief. If you are feeding your infant from a bottle, feed them in an upright position, and give them regular burps during the feeeding process and even after.
Diet change trial
If your child’s crying or irritability persists despite calming and feeding techniques discussed above, your doctor/paediatrician can suggest a brief trial of dietary changes. However, if your baby has one of the common baby food allergies, there would probably be other indications and symptoms, including rash, asthma, vomiting, or diarrhea. Among the dietary adjustments are:
Formula changes
If your baby is formula-fed, your doctor might advise giving a comprehensive hydrolysate formula that contains smaller-sized proteins.
Maternal diet
Try following a diet free of common food allergens, like dairy, eggs, nuts, and wheat, if you’re breastfeeding. You should also avoid potentially irritating foods like onions, cabbage, and caffeinated drinks.
Dont forget your self-care
Dealing with a colicky baby can be difficult and tiresome. You may take care of yourself and obtain the help you need using the following strategies:
- Take a break. Ask someone else to step in and help with taking care of the baby. Utilize the opportunity to get out of the house whenever possible.
- Put the baby in the cot for a short while. If you need to regather/calm your anxiety during a crying instance, don’t feel guilty to temporarily leave the baby in the cot.
- Feel free to express yourself. It’s common for parents to feel upset, guilty, hopeless, or depressed in this kind of situation. Talk about your emotions with your family, close friends, and your child’s physician.
- Take care of your health. Take healthy food. Schedule time for physical activity, like a daily brisk walk. Even during the day, try to get some rest when the infant sleeps. Keep away from alcohol and other drugs.
- Remember it’s temporary. Baby colic is just one of the reminders that parenting is hard. Remember that colic episodes usually become better after three to four months.
A colicky baby cries for more than three hours per day, more than three days a week. Something not many parents don’t know about baby colic is that it may be more harmful to parents than to babies. Thus, it’s important to remember that you also need care and help when dealing with a continually crying baby. Noteworthy, baby colic is a harmless condition as long as your pediatrician has ruled out any medical causes.