Colic in babies is defined as a continual or persistent bout of intense crying for no apparent reason during the first 3 months of life. A baby with colic typically cries for more than 3 hours a day for more than 3 days a week and subsides by the age of 3 to 4 months old.
Symptoms of Baby Colic
Infants with colic cry intensely, draw their legs to their stomachs, clench their fists, arch their backs, and may have a swollen tummy. Crying might stop once the baby has relieved gas or had a bowel movement.
Causes of Baby Colic
The causes of colic in babies are unknown. However, these may be some of the contributing factors: discomfort due to gas, hunger, overfeeding, inability to tolerate specific foods or certain proteins in breast milk or formula, reacting strongly to certain stimuli, emotional responses like fear, frustration, or even excitement.
Diagnosis of Baby Colic
Colic is typically diagnosed once it has followed its usual course of three to four months. Keep track of when your baby cries, when he or she sleeps, what your baby eats and how often, and your baby's bowel movement pattern. These are questions which the doctor may ask during a consultation.
The doctor will also perform a physical examination and some tests to ensure your baby does not have other medical problems such as hernia, gastroesophageal reflux, or intussusception.
Treatment for Baby Colic
It may not be necessary to rush your baby to the doctor for colic. Speak to your doctor for advice and support. You may try some soothing techniques to calm a baby with colic:
- Play soft music or gentle white noise.
- Sing or sooth gently.
- Gently stroke your baby’s head.
- Wrap up your child snugly and cradle comfortably.
- Consider feeding your infant in a vertical (sitting up) position.
- Burp your baby after feeds.
- Give your baby a warm bath.
- Take your baby for a car ride.
- Go for a walk in a stroller.
- Try placing a warm towel on your baby's stomach.
- Keep feeding as usual.
- For bottle-fed babies, try a different formula for 1 week.
- Mothers may consume a hypoallergenic diet.
- Infant massage.
Remember to avoid certain actions that may make the situation worse. Do not intensely shake your baby.
Gripe water, a herbal mixture often marketed as a colic remedy, has been associated with safety concerns. Some varieties have been found to contain hazardous substances like glass particles and alcohol. Similarly, a homoeopathic solution, colocynth's (present in Cocyntal and Hyland colic tablets), was also discovered to include dangerous ingredients, including alcohol.
Consult a doctor right away if:
- Baby has been crying continuously for 2 hours, and you are unable to calm your baby.
- Baby has colic, and nothing seems to soothe the baby.
- Baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age.
- Baby has a fever and should be taken to the A&E.
- Baby is consistently refusing to eat or drink, experiencing excessive vomiting, inadequate urination, passing bloody stools, or displaying changes in behaviour such as lethargy or reduced responsiveness.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or having thoughts of harming your baby, seek assistance immediately.
Make an Appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals
Get in touch with us to find out more about our Paediatrics Services at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital if you have any questions about baby colic.
