Controlling Colic

You are a first time parent. Your two-month-old son won’t stop crying. You have tried everything and nothing seems to work. Your pediatrician says it is colic.

Colic is the general term for a hard-to-soothe baby. About 20 to 25 percent of babies meet the definition of colic.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, colic generally has two components. Timing is the first. It usually begins at about 2 weeks of age and lasts until about four months of age (Within the day, crying is concentrated in the late afternoon and evening hours).

The second component is behavior. Crying bouts are prolonged and can’t be comforted, not even by feeding. The infant usually has clenched fists, legs bent over its abdomen, arching back, a hard swollen abdomen, passing of gas and active grimacing or “painful” look on the face.

The cause of colic isn’t known. There are some factors that may play a role including gas (air swallowed while nursing or crying), reflux (bringing up stomach contents), food allergies, milk-protein intolerance and family or caregiver stress.

Colicky babies are healthy babies who cry for no apparent reason. These bouts of crying can go on for hours. Parents may find it difficult to comfort their babies during this time. These periods of fussiness are not related to hunger or discomfort and your baby is otherwise normal. Your baby may seem to be in pain. The babies might arch their backs, clench their fists and pull their legs up to their tummies. Their faces may turn beet red from so much crying. Although your baby is fussy and cries, he still continues to eat well and gain weight.

Your health care provider may want to perform a physical examination to rule out other potential causes of your baby’s fussiness like esophageal reflux or an infection. Your baby’s doctor can usually diagnose colic based on the pattern of symptoms.

There is no cure for colic, but there are steps you can take to soothe your baby. The following tips may be useful:

§  Rocking, either from a rocking chair or in your arms as you sway from side to side.

§  Gently stroking your baby’s head or patting his back or chest.

§  Swaddling (wrapping him snugly in a receiving blanket).

§  Singing or talking.

§  Playing soft music.

§  Walking him in your arms, a stroller or a carriage.

§  Riding in a car (be sure to secure him in a car seat).

§  Burping him to relieve him of trapped gas bubbles.

§  Warm baths.

§  Decreased stimulation (turn off electronic devices, television, and phones).

§  White noise, vibration and motion can be soothing.

§  If you are nursing, try to eliminate certain foods that promote gas such as onions or cabbage. If you are feeding him formula, discuss with your doctor about a protein hydrolysate formula. If food sensitivity is the issue behind your baby’s colic, then you should be able to see changes with your baby a few days after.

§  Try introducing a pacifier. Some breastfed babies refuse it, but for others it may provide some relief.

§  In moments of high anxiety, don’t be afraid to rely on family and friends to watch your little one while you seek out some quiet time on your own.

The important thing to remember is that your baby will outgrow this condition usually by the time he is three to four months old. So try not to stress yourself out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it whether it is your pediatrician or loved ones.