Everything You Need To Know About Colic

You’ve recently become parents so everything you do is via trial and error method. Off late your baby has been crying frantically and you’re feeling absolutely helpless, because, of course, the baby can’t communicate. Maybe your baby has colic. Read on to find out for sure

What is colic?

If you baby is less than 5 months old and cries for at least 3 hours in a row on three or more days in a week for at least 3 days then your baby is considered colicky. Colic is an uncontrollable cry of a healthy baby. No! it isn’t a disease and it won’t harm your kid.

Symptoms of colic

•Do notice if your baby cries at the same time every day. The pattern could be around late afternoon or evening. The baby tends to cry for no apparent reason, the face could turn red, and the crying would be loud and intense.

•Look out for irregular and disturbed sleep due to the crying pattern.

•Another symptom could be that while crying the baby clenches its fist, arches the back, draws the knees upwards, and tenses the abdominal muscles.

•An increase in bowel movements that even lead to the passing of frequent gas and spitting.

•If your child doesn’t get pacified easily and doesn’t get satisfied by feeding or falling asleep no matter what you try then the baby has colicky.

•Towards to end of the first month, the baby starts getting sensitive to light and sound. So maybe now that they can’t cut off the environment and sleep peacefully they cry out of frustration.

Causes of “COLIC”

•The changing hormones could be one of the main reasons that makes the baby colicky.

•Another cause is the growing digestive system which causes muscle spasm, making the baby restless and cranky.

•Gas is another main reason that causes colic in babies.

•If the nervous system is still developing there are chances of your baby getting colicky.

•Some experts suggest colic is the result of lactose intolerance or allergy towards specific food that comes through breastfeeding

Remedies for “COLIC”

•Focus on keeping the nose level around to the minimum and try diming the lights. Create a quiet and peaceful environment to soothe the child’s senses.

•Don’t try to rock or bounce or even sing to the baby. This may worsen the situation. Keep the baby still and relaxed.

•Observe how your baby reacts to the environment and keep the baby away from whatever irritates it.

•Keep your baby on your lap facing downwards and gently rub the back. If it’s gas that’s troubling your baby then the baby is sure to get some relief.

•Another thing you can try is ‘gas drops’. But do not try this medicine without consulting your pediatrician.

•Gripe water is one of the most used drops to relieve baby of stomach pain. It contains natural herbs, but that shouldn’t stop you from consulting the doctor.

•Since you are breastfeeding you must watch what you eat. Avoid eating food that might give the baby gas related problems or allergies. Always ask your doctor for a diet chart and adhere to it.

•Another thing you can try is to wrap a warm blanket around the baby when it cries. This is one of the foolproof ways to calm down a baby.

It’s understandable that your baby’s continues crying will make you all tense and panicky. But it’s important you stay calm in order to work towards calming your baby. Sometimes, just by holding your baby close to your baby and making it feel secure does the trick. Colic is more common than you think. If it makes you feel better, visit your doctor for some more reassurance and comfort strategies.

Read more: Baby Colic