Colic is the name given
to the condition when your baby cries for longer than
3 hours every day, for more than 3 days a week. Although
this condition is harmless to your baby, it is extremely
distressing for you the parents. Unfortunately, the
cause of colic is not known but there are ways to help
the condition. About 20% of babies (boys and girls equally)
suffer from colic, usually starting at around 2 to 4
weeks and lasting anything up to 3 months.
Apart from the crying, other symptoms can be:
Crying at the same time each day usually after a
feed (often late afternoon or early evening)
A tense hard tummy because the abdominal muscles tighten
with crying
Legs may be drawn up and fists clenched
You can help your colicky baby by:
Nursing your baby every 2-3 hours if you are breastfeeding
Discussing with your doctor about changing your formula
if you are bottle feeding
Burping your baby more often during feeds.
Walking with your baby or sitting in a rocking chair
and trying various positions
Placing your baby across your lap on their tummy and
rubbing your baby’s back
Massaging your baby (find out how to do infant massage
for colic)
Being consistent in your responses to your baby’s
cries
Trying not to worry or panic
Playing music and dancing with your baby
Taking your baby out for walks in the stroller or
carrying in a baby sling
Putting your baby in a swing - the motion may have
a soothing effect
Putting your baby in a baby seat in the back of the
car and going for a ride - the vibration and movement
of the car are often calming
Playing music – many babies respond well to
music
Ensuring there is no other reason for the crying such
as hunger, tiredness, pain, the heat or the cold,
bored, over-stimulated or the need for a diaper change
Please quit smoking before or during pregnancy as
apart from all the other risks to your baby, smoking
can increase the likelihood of colic in your baby.
Don’t allow anyone to smoke around your baby
as babies of smokers cry more and get sick more often
too.
If you have a colicky baby, you may feel extra tired
from all the crying so you need to take greater care
of yourself at such a time. Get regular breaks from
your baby if you can so that you can relax for a while
and remember that your baby will outgrow this phase
in just a matter of weeks.
