Colic In Babies: Symptoms, Treatment, And Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated on December 11th, 2022 at 10:27 pm

Colic in babies brings frustrations to parents because it’s hard to understand the reason for the constant crying. You’re worried if your baby can’t sleep or rest well because you can see your little angel’s discomfort. Aside from being sleep-deprived and tired, you’ll now feel anxious about your baby’s well-being. Many new parents will think their babies are in pain, but it’s not always the case. To better understand what colic in babies is and how to deal with it, read on below!

Colic in Babies | What Is It and Several FAQs

What Is Colic in Babies?

Baby colic or infantile colic is a condition where a healthy baby cries for over 3 hours daily for more than three days weekly. It’s not considered a disease or harmful to your baby, but it brings discomfort to them and frustration to you as a parent. It’s a situation that’s difficult for you and your baby because the crying gets worse at night.

What Age Does Colic in Babies Occur and When Does It Start and Stop?

Your baby may suffer colic if they’re younger than 5 months. It usually occurs when your baby is 2 to 3 weeks old or 2 to 3 weeks after his or her due date, if your baby is a preemie. According to records, colic often stops when the baby is 3 months (for 50% of the cases) or 9 months (for 90% of the cases) old.

What Are the Causes of Colic in Babies?

There’s no definite reason for colic in babies. Doctors and researchers are still on the search for discovering the real answer to this unexplainable baby crying situation. The following are some conditions that may trigger colic in your baby:

• acid reflux
• hunger
• not burping after feeding
• incorrect positioning after feeding
• intestinal gas due to too much air swallowed while crying
• overfeeding or feeding too quickly
• intolerance of some proteins in the milk formula for bottle-fed babies
• stimulation sensitivity
• immature nervous system
• a sensitive temperament that needs some attention

What Are the Symptoms of Colic In Babies?

To know if your baby is colicky, here are the signs and symptoms:

• Baby’s eating and sleeping routines are disrupted by crying. They often want to feed to reject the disruption. Your baby only stops crying for a while when fed and then screams again.
• Bowel activity can increase daily.
• The baby also frequently closes their eyes and then opens them widely. They may even hold their breath briefly.
• Your little one may have frequent arm and leg movements, clench their fists, or pull up their legs.
• Crying happens any time for no reason.
• Crying also happens the same time of the day, usually at night or in the late afternoon.

How Do You Treat Colic in Babies?

Lay Your Baby on His Tummy

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You can put your baby across your lap or stomach. This change of position, from what they’re used to, may help them calm when crying.

Carry Them

This is a remedy that babies suffering from colic respond to very well. Being held gives them comfort. Holding them for longer periods during the day may reduce crying at night. You can also use an infant carrier to keep them close to you so you can free your hands.

Repetitive Motion

Keeping them in motion can help soothe crying too. You can go for a drive with them or place them in an infant swing.

Hold Them Upright after Feeding

Acid reflux may be a huge contributor to triggering colic. Your baby may experience heartburn because the milk keeps coming back up their esophagus can irritate the esophagus lining. Holding them upright after feeding lessens the symptoms of acid reflux.

Try Switching to Milk Formula

Milk protein intolerance may cause discomfort to your baby, which might be responsible for colic. If you think the milk formula you’re using right now is causing distress to your baby, then switch to another solution that’s easier to digest.

For more about relieving colic in babies, watch this video below from Parents:

Colic in babies is indeed causing a lot of trouble for you and your baby. You have to understand how colic disturbs them, so you’ll know what to do to ease the symptoms. Don’t get stressed out when your baby is suffering from colic. Always remember, you have a lot of ways to relieve them from this discomfort. So, spend more time with your baby without worrying about colic symptoms!

What other colic treatments can you share with us? Leave them in the comments section!

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