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Crying and Colic

baby-cry.jpg

Colic is a name used by many to describe long frequent episodes of crying in an infant. People used to think colic was caused by problems with the baby’s digestion/bowel, but there is no evidence this is true. It is a common problem that affects up to one in five babies.

At 6-8 weeks the average baby cries for 2-3 hours per day, usually more in the afternoon and evening. Every baby is different, but after about 8 weeks, babies start to cry less and less each week. Colic will go away on its own, in most by 6 months old.

Remember colic is crying in an otherwise well infant. If your baby has any of the below please speak to a doctor:

  • Fever
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Not able to feed/gain weight
  • Persistent vomiting/change in bowel habit
  • Strange sounding cry

Caring for a baby with colic can be very difficult for parents, particularly first-time parents. It's important to remember that:

  • your baby's colic is not your fault – it doesn't mean your baby is unwell, you're doing something wrong, or your baby is rejecting you
  • your baby will get better eventually – colic normally stops before they're four to six months old
  • you should look after your own wellbeing – if possible, ask friends and family for support as it's important to take regular breaks and get some rest
ICON

ICON is all about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying. It stands for:

  • I - Infant crying is normal
  • C - Comforting methods can help
  • O - It's OK to walk away
  • N - Never, ever shake a baby

Sometimes the crying can feel like it’s becoming too much, and if this is the case, click here for advice on what you can do and you can try these simple comfort methods to see if the baby stops crying.

Support groups, such as Cry-sis, can also offer help and advice if you need it.

You can contact the Cry-sis helpline for advice on 0845 122 8669 (9am-10pm, seven days a week).

Babies can cry if they are hungry, tired, wet/dirty or they are unwell, so first check these basic needs. Try some simple calming techniques:

  • Talk calmly or sing to your baby
  • Let them hear a repeating sound like a vacuum cleaner/white noise
  • Hold them close – skin to skin
  • Go for a walk outside with your baby
  • Give them a warm bath
  • Let your baby lie on his or her belly on your lap, and softly rub your baby’s back

Babies who have colic are not ill, but they cry a lot more than babies usually do. Colic usually starts when a baby is a few weeks old and stops at 4 or 5 months. No one knows what causes it.

Signs and symptoms of colic:

 

  • Your baby often starts crying suddenly
  • The cry is high-pitched and nothing you do seems to help
  • The crying begins at the same time each day, often in the afternoon or evening
  • Your baby might draw their legs up when they cry
  • Your baby might clench their hands
  • Babies with colic are often gassy (because they take in air when crying), fussy and don’t sleep well

For some babies, colic may be a sign of a food allergy, for example sensitivity to cow's milk. Here are other things that may trigger colic:

  • If the baby is being breast-fed, some types of food or drink eaten by the mother might set it off. Examples include: chocolate, eggs, citrus fruits, caffeine (found in coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks), and some seafood.
  • Exposure to cigarette smoke, both during pregnancy and after the baby is born. Colic is twice as common in babies of mothers who smoke
  • Fast bottle feeding, or not being burped enough after feeding.This might mean the baby is taking in too much air, which can lead to wind and painful cramps. If your baby feeds in less than 20 minutes, the hole in the bottle's teat might be too large.

Your doctor may diagnose colic if your baby cries a lot, but is otherwise generally well and gaining weight. Colic doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong as a parent. And colic won't harm your baby.

Click the video below to watch an informative video on colic in babies from Best Beginings :