How should a parent respond if their infant screams and refuses to let go of them when presented with staying with a babysitter for the evening?
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Got an infant who cries for hours and resists your every effort to soothe those tears? Read on for the signs of colic, the causes and remedies to get you through. Back to Top In This Article
You bring your newborn home, and for weeks you marvel at your baby who does little more than sleep, eat, pee and cry. Then one day a few weeks later, he erupts in prolonged, ear-shattering wails, complete with clenched fists, flailing legs and an unhappy red face. No matter what you try, you can’t comfort your crying baby — and that's not all: He repeats these heartbreaking, stressful episodes every night at the same time for what seems like forever. Welcome to the world of colic. What is colic?The reality is, all babies cry. It's the best (and only) way for them to communicate their needs at this tender age. And as parents, we’re biologically programmed to respond so those needs get met. But in babies with colic, the crying starts suddenly for no apparent reason … and has no apparent cure. Colic is not a disease or diagnosis but a combination of baffling behaviors. It's really just a catch-all term for excessive crying in otherwise healthy babies — the problem being, there’s no solution to it besides the passing of time. And it’s common, occurring in roughly 1 in 5 infants. These fussy periods can go on for hours at a time, sometimes late into the night. Worst of all, try as you might — and try you will — it's extremely difficult to calm a colicky baby, which only compounds your own frustration, worry and exhaustion. Doctors usually diagnose infant colic based on the "rules of three." Your baby's crying:
How to soothe colic in babiesIn addition to frustration and exhaustion, you may have feelings of inadequacy and guilt as you try in vain to soothe your fussy baby. So while staying calm is easier said than done, these strategies may help ease the strain until colic passes. Just give each a fair shot before you switch to another (and don't pull out too many tricks at one time, or you'll overload baby's circuits — and step up the crying you're trying to stop). Talk to your doctor for tips and possible causes of your baby's colic too. If you suspect overstimulation:
If you suspect gastrointestinal issues:
Other calming remedies for colicky babies:
Remember, you should never give your baby any medication, herbal or otherwise, without talking to your pediatrician first. And always talk to your doctor before making major changes in your diet or your baby’s. Colic symptomsHow do you know for sure if your baby's colicky? Here are some signs of colic to look out for:
What's the difference between colic and normal crying?There isn't a clear definition of exactly what colic is or how (and if) it differs from other types of crying. But doctors typically agree that colic crying is louder, more intense and higher-pitched than normal crying — sometimes almost like screaming. Colicky babies also seem inconsolable, and tend to cry more throughout the day than babies without colic. (It may very well feel like around the clock, much to tired and fraught parents' dismay, but in reality it could amount to a few hours total.) Most often, colicky periods recur daily, though some babies take an occasional night off. When does colic start and end?The good news is that baby colic doesn't last forever. Most bouts start when baby is about 2 to 3 weeks old (later in premature infants), peak at around 6 weeks and then typically begin to taper off by 10 to 12 weeks. By 3 months (though usually a little later in preterm babies), most colicky infants seem to be miraculously cured. The colic may stop suddenly — or end gradually, with some good days and some bad days until most of them are good and it's clear the stage has passed. In the meantime, a little knowledge and a lot of patience will help you survive until the storm subsides. What causes colic in babies?While the exact cause of colic is a mystery, experts do know that it’s not the result of genetics or anything that happened during pregnancy or childbirth. Nor is it any reflection on parenting skills. And it's also not anyone's fault. That said, here are some theories on possible causes of colicky crying:
Gripe water and colicIn the category of “little evidence, lots of anecdotes” is gripe water, touted as an herbal remedy for everything from baby gas to colic. Some parents swear by gripe water as a way to calm a colicky baby, but no reliable studies have shown its effectiveness in relieving colic symptoms. And because it's not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), gripe water can also be a wild card in terms of what's actually in it and in what quantities. Always check with your pediatrician before giving your baby gripe water or any other treatment marketed as baby colic drops. Tips for parents on coping with colicThough it can safely be said that even hours and hours of daily crying doesn't seem to hurt a baby, it certainly does leave its mark on parents. Listening to a baby's screams can be heartbreaking, upsetting and anxiety-provoking and can take a physical and emotional toll. To cope with colicky crying that just won't quit, try the following:
When to call the doctor about colic in babiesWhile the odds are that your baby’s daily screaming sessions are due to colic, if it seems like your baby is crying excessively, start by seeing the pediatrician. The doctor can examine your baby to rule out any other potential causes of excessive crying. And if they think you're definitely dealing with colic? It's good to get some reassurance and maybe a few extra soothing strategies. Describing the crying (its duration, intensity, pattern, any variation from the norm and any accompanying symptoms) will also help the doctor rule out any underlying medical condition (like reflux, an infection or a milk allergy) that could be triggering the crying. Keep in mind, too, that this shall pass: Just when you think you can't take another night of it, the crying will let up — and then it's gone forever. As wiped-out as you may be, give yourself a well-earned pat on the back. You've just survived your first major challenge of parenthood. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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