How Can I Tell The Difference Between Infant Gas And Colic?

The only way newborns and babies communicate is by crying. However, when a baby cries excessively and inconsolably it can be worrisome and frustrating. It can be difficult when you can’t understand why your baby is crying. It could be because of hunger, a soiled diaper, colic, gas or even because they are sleepy. Even if you rule out hunger, sleep, or a soiled diaper what is most difficult is to know the difference between infant gas and colic.

How can you tell the difference between infant gas and colic? Read on to know.

What Is The Difference Between Infant Gas And Colic? 

While the reason for colic in babies could be gas since babies sometimes swallow too much air when they feed or cry, colic in babies is not always caused by gas. Colic and gas in babies are sometimes related and both can be treated with simple home remedies or by using a natural tummy roll-on, but both are different conditions altogether.

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Here’s what you need to know about the difference between infant gas and colic:

Colic

A baby with colic is usually healthy but fussy and cries frequently and intensely. Colic in babies peaks at about six weeks after birth and disappears when the baby is around three or four months old. Babies with colic usually continue to gain weight and feed as they should.

Some of the causes of colic in babies are:

An underdeveloped digestive system Or, it may be something more complex such as a 

• Food intolerance
• Imbalance of good bacteria in the gut
• Improper feeding 
• Infant migraine
• Food allergy 

Gas

Gas is when there is air in the baby’s stomach or intestines. Gas in babies normally goes off on its own. for babies and usually goes away on its own. Some babies who have gas don’t cry and are not bothered by gas, but some can become restless and make keep you awake until they have passed gas. 

It is caused by:

• Swallowing air during feedings or while crying. 
• Digestive problems
• Virus
• New food

Symptoms of Colic

It can be difficult to tell the difference between infant gas and colic but you can look out for these signs:

• Intense and high-pitched crying.
• Extra fussiness.
• Arched back.
• Clenched fists.
• The skin around the mouth is pale.

Symptoms Of Gas

The symptoms of gas include

• Swollen belly.
• Crying while passing gas.
• Burping.
• Discomfort.

Unlike colic, a baby with gas will only cry till he/she passes the gas, there is no [prolonged fussiness and crying for hours, days, or weeks. 

Gas in babies can occur at any time, but colic in babies usually starts during the baby’s first weeks and also disappears when the baby is aged 3 to 4 months.

Cover image source: freepik