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Help for a colicky baby

The minute your little one starts crying you immediately respond by checking whether he’s hot, cold, hungry or in need of a nappy change. But what if it’s none of the above?! A baby that doesn’t respond to soothing, can be very stressful! But thanks to Dr. Morris Wessel, we now have a name for it: colic.

Why is your baby screaming?

If your baby’s cry sounds different to normal, is sharper and more piercing – it may be colic-related. We often think the crying is coming from pain like an upset tummy, but colic pain is from the colon. Colicky crying often happens in an on-and-off way. It’s a common condition and usually lasts up to four months of age.

Signs and symptoms of colic include:

  • Intense crying.
  • Crying in the late afternoon or evening that lasts for several hours.
  • Your baby’s face turns red and flushes when he cries.
  • Your baby clenches his fists, draws his knees up to his tummy, or arches his back while crying.

What are the causes?

Colic isn’t a disease and won’t cause any harm, but it can be frustrating. Don’t despair; it’s short-lived. It usually peaks around six weeks and gradually goes away after a few months. An imbalance of healthy bacteria in your baby’s intestines could be the cause. Other causes include:

  • An immature digestive system. Food may pass through too quickly and not break down completely, resulting in pain from gas build-up in the intestines.
  • Infant acid reflux. Infant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) may be a colic trigger. This happens when the muscle that keeps stomach acid from flowing back up the throat and mouth, is not yet fully developed. The stomach acid then irritates oesophagus (swallowing tube). Luckily, most babies outgrow GERD by the time they turn one; and colic may have gone away long before then.
  • Food allergies or sensitivity. Breastfed babies may react to specific foods in a mother’s diet. Allergies or sensitivity can cause pain in the stomach that may trigger colicky behaviour.

How to soothe a colicky baby

  • Change your baby’s position. Lay him on his tummy, across your stomach or lap. Rub his back; this can be soothing and may help gas to pass.
  • Hold your baby for longer periods early in the day to help reduce colic in the evening. This can reduce acid reflux symptoms. When your baby lies on his back or in a reclining position in a car seat after eating, it can make symptoms worse and cause crankiness.
  • Milk protein intolerance or an allergy may be the cause for your baby’s colic. See which types of feeds make the colic worse or better, and always make sure to burp your baby.

Take your baby to the doctor if:

He starts to vomit, has a fever, mucus and blood in his stools. If you’ve tried to comfort him repeatedly with no success, it’s time to see a doctor.

References:

Five easy ways to soothe a colicky baby

All babies cry. It’s their way of telling you that they’re hungry, tired or in need of a nappy change. But if your baby constantly cries for no apparent reason, he may have colic.

Colic is characterised by repeated stretches of inconsolable crying. It’s a common condition, affecting many babies during their first few months.

Your baby is colicky if his crying:

  • Lasts for three or more hours at a time.
  • Persists for three or more days a week.
  • Happens for at least three weeks in a row.

Other symptoms include:

  • Crying intensely and furiously, even after being fed or cleaned.
  • Crying at the same time every day.
  • Increased bowel activity, and passing gas during crying.
  • Irregular and disrupted sleeping and eating.
  • Baby appears to be in pain and becomes red or flushed in the face.
  • Baby tenses up, pulls up his legs and clenches his fists.

Colic isn’t a disease and won’t cause your baby any real harm, but it can be distressing and frustrating for parents. The good news is that colic is short-lived. It usually peaks around six weeks and gradually goes away after a few months.

What causes it?

The exact cause of colic is a mystery. It is equally common in firstborn and later-born babies, boys and girls, and breastfed and formula-fed infants. Why some babies are more prone than others is unknown, but there may be more than one cause.

Research shows that babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are at an increased risk for colic. Colic could also be caused by an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the intestines. Studies have shown that infants with colic have different intestinal microflora than infants who don’t suffer from colic.

Some experts also believe that colicky may be a physical release for sensitive babies. For some babies, too many sights, sounds or sensations can be overwhelming, and they become distraught and start to cry.

Colic is not a reflection on your parenting. It doesn’t make you a bad parent and isn’t your fault.

Help at hand

  1. Give him a warm bath to help him relax.
  2. Play soothing music. A lullaby or soft classical music may quiet him down.
  3. Take him for a walk in a stroller or sling. The change of scenery and fresh air may help calm him.
  4. Swaddle (wrap firmly and snugly in a warm blanket) him to make him feel more secure.
  5. Offer him a pacifier. Sucking is soothing for some babies.

Tip: Don’t neglect your own wellbeing. Caring for a colicky baby can be very stressful, so take breaks. Ask your partner, friend or relative take over while you go for a walk or let loose with a good cry yourself.

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