What is colic?

Posted on October 16th, 2009 in Colic, Featured by sleepybaby

Colic can be defined as uncontrollable, extended crying in babies who are otherwise healthy and well-fed. All babies cry, but when they cry for more than three hours a day, three to four days a week, they are said to have colic. They say 1 in 3 babies can suffer from colic.

Symptoms of Colic

Colic tends to appears in the first two to four weeks of age and peaks at around six to eight weeks of age.  The crying from colic can occur at any time of the day but usually appears worse around late afternoon early evening. The symptom includes:

•  Loud and continuous crying that can last for three hours or more
• Pass gas
• Loud tummy rumbling
• Frowning and grimacing
• Babies face becomes red
• The baby can’t be consoled
• Legs are pulled up to the stomach and then may be fully stretched  
• Feet may be cold
• Hands may be clenched  
• Some babies refuse to eat or become fussy soon after eating  
• Difficulty falling and staying asleep

Despite the research into this condition the cause is still unknown and there is no one quick fix that works for every baby.  The most important first step is to check with your baby’s paediatrician to make sure there is no medical cause for your baby’s crying.  Once your baby is given a clean bill of health then all you can do is try your best to keep your baby calm and comfortable through an episode of crying, it usually fixes itself at around three to four months of age.

There are many theories as to why babies get reflux which are:

• Immature digestive system that is having spasms
• Immature nervous system, which causes a baby to tense up in response to normal external stimulation
• Mother’s diet may cause symptoms of food allergy or intolerances in her breast milk, certain foods that give the baby wind such as, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, chocolate, onions or cow’s milk
• Mother’s that breastfeed and drink caffeine and or inhale nicotine can also linked to infant irritability because the babies body is unable to efficiently get rid of these substances 

Each of these theories along with others is still being researched today.  Since there is no factual evidence on what the exact cause of colic is, there is no one easy solution to help parents ease or comfort their baby through an episode of crying.