What is colic ?

Colic is  frustrating condition that results  in babies crying  for more than 3 hours in a row for  3 or more days for at least 3 weeks. Colic is not caused by a medical condition and wont cause babies any long-term harm . It can however be a tough situation to encounter.

What are the causes of colic ?

The exact cause of colic is unknown. However it is believed to be related to lactose intolerance, allergies , a digestive system that is not fully developed or changes in the normal bacteria found in the digestive tract. Anxiety, fear or even excitement can lead to colic symptoms. Hunger and overfeeding may also cause some babies to be colicky .

My baby is crying a lot. How do I know it’s colic ?

Crying and fussing is common in infants. However colic signs include the following :

• inconsolable crying which is intense and high-pitched
• predictable crying episode that is, crying that usually starts at same time everyday
• crying for no apparent reason
• crying episodes that include posture such as curled up legs, clenched fists and tensed abdominal muscle

At what point do I need to see a doctor ?

It is always good to see your doctor when your baby is crying too much to rule out other possible causes such as intestinal problems . You should also see your doctor if baby has other symptoms such as

•  baby’s lips or skin turning bluish during crying
• you notice changes in your baby’s eating, sleeping and behavior
• if baby has fever, vomiting, bloody stool, diarrhea or stomach problems

How can I comfort a crying baby ?

Here are some tips to comfort a crying baby .

• gently rock your baby
• sing lullabies to your baby
• hold your baby
• some babies seem to be calmer when riding in a car
• some infants like to lie on their belly while you give them a back rub.NOTE Never let your baby lie on their stomach while sleeping. It increases their risks for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS
• offer your baby a pacifier
• white noises such as sound of a fan or vacuum cleaner keep some babies calm
• holding your baby in an upright position may help remove gas from the body and prevent heartburn. Putting a warm towel on the baby’s belly may be soothing
• if your baby is breastfed, let him  finish one breast before moving to the second breast. This reduces the chances of baby being colicky.
• you might also give the baby anti-gas drops to relieve gas