Every baby, beginning at around two weeks old, experiences an upset duration daily for no apparent reason. Infants’ typical fussiness, however, may transform into lengthy screaming sessions that continue and grow more difficult to comfort.
Prolonged crying might indicate Colic. Continue reading to learn what Colic is,
what causes it, how to comfort your kid if he has it, how to handle the stress of colicky screaming, and when you should take your crying baby to the doctor.
Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between Normal and Colic Crying?
Your baby may occasionally whimper because they are hungry, exhausted, or has an uncomfortable wet diaper. However, she’ll likely cease crying when she’s been fed, comforted, and her diaper changed.
If she appears to cry for no cause and continues to do so even after you’ve checked her diaper, fed her, and patted her as much as possible, she might have Colic.
The defining characteristic of persistent crying is excessive sobbing that does not appear to be playful or reflexive. This is what distinguishes typical weeping from colicky crying. Your baby will respond to comfort measures and eventually cease crying with the usual moan; your baby will continually weep and may not appear to be consoled in the case of Colic.
What is Colic?
Colic is a condition in which a healthy and balanced infant cries for an extended period for no apparent reason. It’s most common during the first six weeks of life and usually goes away on its own after three to four months. Up to one-fourth of newborns may experience it.
➢ Colic is said to start when a kid starts crying excessively as:
➢ Lasts for more than 3 hours each day
➢ Takes place at least three days each week
➢ It lasts more than three weeks.
Colic typically starts suddenly, with loud and mostly nonstop wailing. This constant, severe crying can be exhausting and challenging for parents.
The majority of colic sufferers are fussy, noisy, and don’t get a lot of sleep. Nonetheless, in most situations, they develop and gain weight.
Colic will generally go away on its own when your baby is a few months old, and this frequently happens by the age of three months and, in many instances, by the age of six months.
Colic Symptoms
Colic symptoms can vary from baby to baby. However, there are some common signs that your child might be experiencing Colic. These include:
➢ Extreme sobbing that may appear to be screaming or a sign of suffering
➢ Crying for no apparent reason, unlike sobbing to communicate needs or a change in diaper usage
➢ Extreme fussiness after weeping has actually lessened.
➢ Episodes usually occur at night, with a consistent, predictable time frame.
➢ Facial discolorings, such as skin flushing or blushing
➢ Stiffened, clumped, or withdrawn feet; stiffened elbows; squeezed, pinched fingers; rigid arms; stooped posture; slouched back; cramped abdomen.
Occasionally, there is relief when the infant passes gas or has a bowel movement. Gas is most likely caused by inhaled air that has been ingested throughout extended crying.
What Causes Colic?
Determining what causes an otherwise healthy and balanced kid to wail inconsolably is challenging. The condition might be caused by a variety of factors as well as a variety of stimuli may be involved.
There are several potential reasons for your dog’s Colic, including the following:
➢ Gassiness
Gas is a typical symptom of Colic in infants, although it can also be caused by weeping when a baby cries, breathing stops, and all the trapped air makes your infant uncomfortable.
➢ Digestion Issues
If your baby’s digestive system is still developing, or there is an imbalance of healthy germs in the gastrointestinal system, this can be the case.
➢ Character
Babies have distinct personalities, and
➢ Digestion Issues
If your baby’s digestive system is still developing, or there is an imbalance of healthy germs in the gastrointestinal system, this can be the case.
➢ Character
Babies have distinct personalities, and not all infants are the same in sensitivity or irritability.
➢ Sensitivity to Excitement
If your youngster’s nerve system is underdeveloped, they may be more sensitive to external stimuli. New signs and the fact that your baby can not yet self-soothe might be frightening.
Because your infant can’t yet effectively self-soothe, he may begin weeping because they are overwhelmed by all the new exterior stimuli. Preemies who are genuinely perplexed by all the new external stimuli may appear to be picky.
➢ Heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Condition (GERD)
Fluid in your infant’s belly may return towards the throat because your child’s sphincter (muscular tissue that keeps the stomach from the esophagus) is still developing. The discomfort of this might cause your baby to cry.
Although almost all kids suffer from reflux occasionally, if the condition becomes chronic (that is, it happens frequently), it is known as GERD. Acid reflux, or GERD, can cause the following symptoms: arching of the back, wet burps, discomfort, and refusal to eat or just eat a little.
➢ Overfeeding or Underfeeding
It’s also essential to remember that she feels neglected whenever you don’t feed your baby correctly. As a result of not being fed, your kid may feel uncomfortable, and she might show this discomfort by crying.
➢ Inadequate Burping
Burping your baby aids in releasing some of the trapped air he takes when feeding or crying. If you do not burp your child enough during feedings, entrapped air might make him gassy and irritable, which can lead to discomfort.
➢ Food Allergic Reactions or Milk Intolerances
If you feed your kid while he is nursing, he may be sensitive to anything in your diet. If your infant is fed formula, he might be susceptible to a component in the mixture.
➢ Direct Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy or exposing your youngster to smoking at home may impact your baby’s stomach system’s energy and effectiveness, which might raise the risk of Colic.
Keeping your home and your baby’s atmosphere smoke-free is not only crucial for protecting your child from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and respiratory illness, but it is also necessary for maintaining their health.
➢ Tension in the household is often referred to as “home tension.”
➢ Hidden Health and Wellness Concerns
It’s not always clear what’s causing your child’s constant crying. Colic is a common occurrence in infants and can be caused by many reasons. A medical problem such as a tear or an infection might occasionally be to blame.
not all infants are the same in sensitivity or irritability.
➢ Sensitivity to Excitement
If your youngster’s nerve system is underdeveloped, they may be more sensitive to external stimuli. New signs and the fact that your baby can not yet self-soothe might be frightening.
Because your infant can’t yet effectively self-soothe, he may begin weeping because they are overwhelmed by all the new exterior stimuli. Preemies who are genuinely perplexed by all the new external stimuli may appear to be picky.
➢ Heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Condition (GERD)
Fluid in your infant’s belly may return towards the throat because your child’s sphincter (muscular tissue that keeps the stomach from the esophagus) is still developing. The discomfort of this might cause your baby to cry.
Although almost all kids suffer from reflux occasionally, if the condition becomes chronic (that is, it happens frequently), it is known as GERD. Acid reflux, or GERD, can cause the following symptoms: arching of the back, wet burps, discomfort, and refusal to eat or just eat a little.
➢ Overfeeding or Underfeeding
It’s also essential to remember that she feels neglected whenever you don’t feed your baby correctly. As a result of not being fed, your kid may feel uncomfortable, and she might show this discomfort by crying.
➢ Inadequate Burping
Burping your baby aids in releasing some of the trapped air he takes when feeding or crying. If you do not burp your child enough during feedings, entrapped air might make him gassy and irritable, which can lead to discomfort.
➢ Food Allergic Reactions or Milk Intolerances
If you feed your kid while he is nursing, he may be sensitive to anything in your diet. If your infant is fed formula, he might be susceptible to a component in the mixture.
➢ Direct Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy or exposing your youngster to smoking at home may impact your baby’s stomach system’s energy and effectiveness, which might raise the risk of Colic.
Keeping your home and your baby’s atmosphere smoke-free is not only crucial for protecting your child from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and respiratory illness, but it is also necessary for maintaining their health.
➢ Tension in the household is often referred to as “home tension.”
➢ Hidden Health and Wellness Concerns
It’s not always clear what’s causing your child’s constant crying. Colic is a common occurrence in infants and can be caused by many reasons. A medical problem such as a tear or an infection might occasionally be to blame.
Diagnosing Colic
Your doctor can generally tell whether your child has Colic based on the pattern of symptoms. It will aid the medical professional if you maintain a record of when your kid cries when they sleep, what your baby eats as well as how often, and the pattern of bowel movements in your infant.
The doctor may conduct a physical examination to rule out a physiological issue, such as esophageal reflux, an infection, or an allergy. You may be asked questions such as:
➢ How long do you think your baby cries on a typical basis, and how frequently do they scream?
➢ Have you discovered anything that looks to be the source of this weeping?
➢ What comfort methods help to calm your baby if any?
Various testing may be done, including blood tests, X-rays, or other imaging procedures. These might aid in the detection of other problems in your infant.
Treating Colic
There are various options for relaxing and dealing with a colicky infant. Recognize that this is a typical issue for newborns. Consult with your child’s health care provider to learn more about Colic and what you can do about it.
If you’re bottle-feeding your kid, a slightly curved bottle might be beneficial. In this case, you can hold your infant upright.
To lessen the air your infant consumes during feeding, burp them frequently. A bottle with a collapsible bag or lining might also assist.
It’s essential to understand what distinguishes your baby’s cry from others. It takes time for parents and babies to get used to one another. Remember that a newborn’s crying lasts a set period every day, typically between 10 and 15 minutes.
What works for one infant may not work for another. Consider the following alternatives:
➤ Make sure your kid isn’t hungry. However, if your baby doesn’t seem interested in the bottle or crying for it, don’t push them to eat.
➤ Understand what you’re consuming. If you’re nursing your youngster, the healthcare provider may advise you to avoid foods likely to induce an allergy. This implies that you cannot have milk, eggs, nuts, or wheat for a while
➤ Switch formulas. If your infant has frequent stomach aches, consult her healthcare provider about trying a hydrolyzed formula (hypoallergenic) if the Colic is caused by an allergy to something in the formula.
➤ Change the position of your baby. If you’re reclining, put your child up. If you’re carrying or holding your baby facing out, allow them to meet forward. Babies enjoy seeing new things in the world. Offer your baby interesting points to check out: various forms, colors, appearances, and dimensions.
➤ Speak to your infant. Sing to your infant softly. This method of soothing your kid may help him relax.
➤ Rock, walk, and hold. Rock your baby in your arms or in a rocking chair. Place her in a swing. Walk with your child in a stroller or take her for a vehicle ride. Hold her against your upper body while breastfeeding. You may use these activities and close contact with him to soothe your kid.
➤ Provide your child a cozy bath. If your kid enjoys being in the water to relax, you may pamper her in a lovely warm bathroom when she’s feeling fussy. Simply ensure that your infant is never left alone near water.
➤ In a slow setting, place your infant in an infant swing.
➤ Dangle your baby’s feet on your lap and allow them to lie on their stomach. Brush your infant’s back softly while they are resting on you.
➤ Go for a trip in the car. Children frequently quiet down after their vehicle starts up.
➤ Use something in your child’s surroundings that make a soothing sound, such as a white-noise machine or heartbeat CD. A vacuum cleaner or cleaning equipment may also soothe a fussy baby.
➤ Hold as well as snuggle your baby. Babies can’t be overindulged. However, if they are neglected, and their requirements aren’t met like those of babies, they might have difficulties later in life.
➤ Try utilizing a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier might help calm her down. Make sure to never offer your infant a filled or honey-dipped pacifier. Honey is harmful to your baby’s health and development because it contains too much sugar. While this may appear contradictory, the honey in question is not ideal for your infant’s health and well-being, but rather because it isn’t suitable for kids under one year old to consume honey.
➤ Reduce any type of stimulation to a bare minimum.
➤ Offer her a soothing massage. Place your baby across your lap, belly down, and massage her back.
When you’re feeling stressed and apprehensive, ask a family member or a friend to look after the infant while you go out. Even walking for an hour or two may help you maintain a positive attitude. It is critical to relax. Dealing with things on your own and lowering your stress and anxiety levels might also benefit your child.
When Does Colic Begin?
The majority of little kids’ tears start after two weeks old. When babies develop Colic, it’s usually between the second and fourth weeks of life, and Colic affects about one in four infants.
How Long Does a Colic Episode Last?
Colic episodes can last for around 3 hours each day until your infant is about 6 weeks old, when they become shorter and less frequent.
The most typical of all crying is colicky weeping, which starts to subside around 4 months old, although it can continue until 6 months old.
When Should One Contact a Physician About Colic in Babies?
If your infant’s crying persists and nothing appears to help, it’s time to see your doctor. He can determine if your kid has Colic or identify a different medical condition.
Additionally, if your child continues to show colic symptoms after he reaches half a year old, talk with your baby’s doctor about any underlying cause.
If your youngster exhibits any of the following symptoms, get immediate medical attention:
➤ The child’s temperature is running a 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
➤ The baby is crying for more than three hours at a time
➤ The baby is not feeding well
➤ The baby is throwing up or has loose bowels
➤ The baby is sleepier than a typical baby
As a Parent, How Can You Cope with a Colicky Baby?
When your baby has Colic, paying attention to your emotions is essential. It might be challenging to care for a colicky kid and make many parents feel anxious and inadequate, not to mention stress.
Never shake your baby, no matter how disappointed you are. Shaking a child can result in blood loss in the brain, as well as permanent damage, and death.
If you’re finding yourself out of control and unable to manage your child’s crying, try the following measures:
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- Take a few moments to relax, breathe deeply and count backward from ten.
- Set up your infant in his crib or in another secure location, as well as a calm area to relax.
- For emotional support, contact a buddy or family member.
- Make an appointment to have your baby examined so a medical problem unrelated to Colic can be identified.
- Request and also accept assistance from your friends and family, who may look after your kid for a short time, giving you some much-needed rest.
- Don’t feel guilty for relaxing your kid. You are not damaging her. You’re attempting to make her feel better by holding and soothing her, and the Colic will eventually go away.
Final Thought What is Colic in Babies
Colic is a condition that affects many infants and can be very stressful for parents. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, some things may help ease the crying and provide relief to both baby and parent. Massage, relaxation techniques, and accepting help from friends and family are all important in managing Colic. If your baby’s colic persists after six weeks, talk to your doctor about any underlying causes.