Colic defined plus ways to cope with it and strategies for bringing relief.
Your baby is crying. You've fed her, burped her, changed her diaper, rocked her, and sung to her, but still she cries. Does she have colic?
Maybe.
All babies cry - it is how they communicate. Their cries can indicate hunger, tummy aches, sleepiness, boredom, and a host of other discomforts. But when baby cries for hours on end, day after day, you may be dealing with colic.
Colic is generally defined as: three or more hours of crying per day, three or more days per week, ongoing for three or more weeks.
Unfortunately, the cause of colic is still unknown. There have been many theories over the years including gas, nervous system immaturity, and digestive problems, but no theory has been proven conclusively.
There is also no cure for colic. The good news is, it will eventually stop on its own. The bad news is, it could take months for that to happen. Colic generally reaches its peak by eight weeks of age, but can continue to some degree until the baby is six months old or more. However, it usually disappears when the child is three months old.
Whether you are dealing with a colicky baby for three months or six, it may seem like an eternity. Here are a few steps you can take to get relief for you and your baby.
- Swaddle baby and rock him using a side-to-side motion.
- Offer baby a pacifier.
- Rock baby in a dimly lit room with white noise or soft music.
- Lie baby on his tummy across your lap and pat his back.
- Sooth a water baby with a warm bath.
- Give baby a massage.
- Keep a journal of baby's crying to help determine its triggers.
Most importantly, keep your cool. If you find yourself growing frustrated with your crying baby, remove yourself from the situation. It is okay to place baby in a crib where he is safe and walk away for a few minutes. It is okay to leave baby with his other parent or a babysitter to take a few moments for yourself. Taking time away from a screaming infant does not make you a bad parent.
When all else fails, remember that colic is a temporary condition. In a few months, your child will be happy and healthy and the inconsolable crying will be a thing of the past.
You may also be interested in Getting Baby to Fall Asleep and The Lull-A-Baby Sleep Plan.
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