Colic

Babies cry a lot because it’s how they connect with the surroundings, but when crying persists more than normal, it probably indicates colic.

Colic

Colic is when the baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, for three days a week at least, and for more than three weeks without an obvious reason. Babies usually suffer from colic within the first few weeks after birth, and it ends suddenly after 3 or 4 months of birth.

Causes of colic

The exact cause of infant colic isn’t known, but there are a lot of factors that play a role in it, including:

• Stomach reflux.
• Abdominal pain or discomfort from gas that results from air swallowing while crying or nursing.
• Intolerance of milk protein.
• Food allergies.
• Under or over feeding.
• The digestive system isn’t fully developed.
• Not enough healthy bacteria in the intestines.
• Childhood migraine.
• Family stress.

Symptoms of colic

Colicky infants may suffer from the following:

• Excessive crying that sounds like being in pain.
• Crying at any time without an obvious reason.
• The face may turn red or become flushed.
• Being fussy.
• Body tension, which includes clenched fists, curled-up legs, an arched back, and a swollen belly.
• Passing gas.
• It’s critical to make sure not to shake the baby for calming because it may lead to shaken baby syndrome, which can cause serious damage in the brain.
• Continuous colic may affect the parents and lead to postpartum depression and stopping breastfeeding early.

Diagnosis of colic

• Examining the overall health of the baby.
• Asking about the symptoms.

Treatment of colic

There isn’t a certain cure for colic, but you can soothe your baby through the following steps:

• Set a schedule for your baby that contains the feeding, sleeping, and activity time.
• Use a pacifier.
• Contact your skin to your baby’s skin.
• Try an infant swing.
• Stroke the baby’s head or pat the back or chest gently.
• Hold the baby and walk, or take them in a stroller or for a car ride.
• Rub the baby’s stomach gently.
• Play calm music and white noise (like a vacuum cleaner) in a close room.
• Give your baby a warm bath.
• Remove anything or noise that may irritate your baby.
• If nothing helped, reach out for the help of a professional.