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Colic (also known as infantile colic or infant colic) is used to describe bouts of crying and upset behaviour, in an otherwise healthy infant. These bouts can occur frequently and for extended periods without any discernible reason, and comforting can have little effect.
The colicky baby screams, clenches the fists and may draw up his or her knees, as if having a stomachache. These bouts often occur during a specific time of the day (usually in the evening). As many as 1 in 5 babies develop colic, usually appearing in the first 2 weeks of life, and almost invariably disappears, usually before the baby is 3 to 4 months old. Whilst benign in nature, it can cause much parental distress.
There is a 19th Century advice on colic, which says, "Just put cotton in your ears and gin in your stomach"
Tips to help Colicky Babies:
Different babies respond differently, so be patient and try a variety of measures to see what works best for your baby.
• If you are breastfeeding, try excluding dairy products from your diet. If you are bottle feeding, try changing to a hypo-allergenic formula for a week to see if your baby's condition improves. If it does, then the colic may be due to a milk allergy.
• Ensure that the hole in the teat of the milk bottle is not too large that your baby gulps and chokes, nor is it too small that your baby struggles to drink. Anti-colic bottles and teats may be useful. Also remember to pause during feeds to burp your baby.
• If you are breastfeeding, avoid drinking too much caffeine. Caffeine in breast milk has been reported to make babies irritable.
• Try to stay calm yourself, because your baby can pick up on your mood. If you are anxious, tired or frustrated, try to enroll the help of other family members, to allow time for yourself to rest and calm down.
• Avoid over-stimulating your baby especially around bedtime. Keep to a orderly and tranquil bedtime routine in a cozy, quiet room. Some babies, however, tend to sleep better with some background noise. Music in the background may help.
When to see your doctor:
You should have your baby see a doctor if there are any of the following "red flag" symptoms:
• Vomiting (as opposed to normal regurgitation), especially if the vomitus is green or blood stained.
• Blood in the stools
• Persistent moaning or weak cry
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Persistent crying that begins during or just after a feed
• Poor weight gain
Find a Paediatrician
The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
Please see your doctor for professional advice.
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