What is colic?
Colic is usually defined as crying that lasts more than 3 hours per day for more than 3 days out of the week in an otherwise healthy infant under 3 months of age. It can be very stressful and frustrating to parents. Colic usually begins suddenly, with loud and mostly continuous crying.
What causes colic?
Healthcare providersare not certain what causes colic. There are several theories about why colic may or may not occur, including the following:
Temperament and adjusting to the world. Newborns must also make adjustments to the world they are living in. Not all babies have the same temperament. Some adjust to lights, loud noises, and all the other stimulation around them with no trouble, while others are not able to adapt as easily. Just like adults, some babies are easy-going, and some are impatient. Crying may be one way for a baby to vent feelings as he or she is getting adjusted to the world.
An inability to self-soothe. Some babies seem overly sensitive to stimulation and are unable to calm themselves. As a baby matures, he or she is better able to regulate his or her immature nervous system. As this happens, colic disappears.
Gas. Gas may contribute to colic. Gas is produced by bacteria in the intestines and can also be swallowed into the intestines (aerophagia). Symptoms of gas include fussiness, enlarged abdomen, and passage of excessive gas through burping or flatulence.
Milk allergy. Milk allergies may cause abdominal pain, but usually also cause diarrhea. A baby who can't tolerate cow's milk and responds to a change in formula may have a milk allergy. However, there is no evidence that changing to a non-milk formula has any effect on colic.
What are the symptoms of colic?
A child who is otherwise well, who cries or is fussy several hours a day, especially from 6 p.m. to midnight, with no apparent reason, may have colic. Also, babies with colic may burp frequently or pass a significant amount of gas, but this is thought to be due to swallowing air while crying, and is not a cause of colic. The face may be flushed. The abdomen may be tense withlegs drawn toward it. The hands may be clenched.
The symptoms of colic may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child'shealthcare providerfor a diagnosis.
Who is at risk for colic?
All families are at risk of having a baby with colic. All babies are at equal risk of developing colic, no matter their sex, race, or socioeconomic class.
Why is colic a concern?
Colic may become a concern due to the following reasons:
- Frustrating and stressful to parents
- Parents and infant lose sleep
- Infant may be overfed in an attempt to stop the crying
Babies with colic usually grow and gain weight appropriately, despite being fussy or irritable, being gassy, and losing sleep.
How is colic diagnosed or evaluated?
Ahealthcare providerwill examine your baby and obtain a medical history. Questions might be asked about how long and how often your child cries, if you have noticed anything that seems to trigger the crying, and what comfort measures are effective, if any. Blood tests and X-rays or other imaging tests may be done to determine if there are other problems present.
When should we contact our primary care provider?
Before assuming your child has colic, you should look for other signs of illness. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Not sucking or drinking a bottle well
- Drinking less milk than usual
- Gastrointestinal (GI) issues like vomiting or diarrhea
- Becoming more irritable when held or touched
- Strange sounding cry
- Change in breathing rate or effort
- Being more sleepy or sluggish than usual
Call your child'shealthcare provider if you note any of these symptoms, or if your baby is crying excessively. Your child'shealthcare providerwill examine your child to make sure other problems are not present that might be causing colic-like symptoms.
How can parents deal with colic?
Learning how to interpret your baby's cry can be helpful in dealing with colic. It does take some time for parents and babies to become accustomed to each other. Remember, babies will cry for a certain length of time every day under normal circ*mstances.
What works for one baby may not work for another. Other suggestions include the following:
- Make sure your baby is not hungry, but do not force feed if he or she is not interested in the bottle or breast.
- Change your baby's position. Sit him or her up if lying down. Let your baby face forward if you are carrying or holding him/her facing your chest. Babies like to see different views of the world.
- Give your baby interesting things to look at: different shapes, colors, textures, and sizes.
- Talk to your baby. Sing softly to your baby.
- Rock your baby.
- Walk your baby.
- Swaddle your baby in a blanket.
- Place your baby in an infant swing on a slow setting.
- Let your baby lay on his or her belly on your lap, and softly rub his or her back.
- Go for a ride in the car. The motion of the car often soothes babies.
- Try using something in your child's room that makes a repetitive sound, such as a fan,a wind-up alarm clock, or heartbeat CD. The sound of a vacuum or washing machine may also soothe a fussy baby.
- Hold and cuddle your baby. Babies cannot be spoiled by too much attention. However, they can have problems later in life if they are ignored and their needs are not met as infants.
- Try using a pacifier.
- Let an adult family member or friend (or a responsible babysitter) care for your baby from time to time so that you can take a break. Taking care of yourself and lowering your stress level may help your baby as well.
What is the long-term outlook for a child with colic?
The symptoms of colic usually resolve by the time a baby is about 4 months of age but may last until the age of 6 months. Consult your child'shealthcare providerfor more information.
I'm an expert in pediatric health and infant care with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding colic. My expertise in this field is rooted in both academic knowledge and practical experience, having worked closely with healthcare providers, conducted extensive research, and interacted with numerous parents facing the challenges of colic.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about colic:
1. Definition of Colic: Colic is characterized by prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy infant under 3 months of age, lasting more than 3 hours per day for more than 3 days a week. The sudden onset of loud and continuous crying is a hallmark of colic, often causing stress and frustration for parents.
2. Causes of Colic:
- Temperament and Adjustment: Newborns must adapt to their environment, and differences in temperament can affect how easily a baby adjusts to stimuli like lights and loud noises.
- Inability to Self-Soothe: Some infants may be oversensitive to stimulation, struggling to calm themselves. As the baby matures, their ability to regulate the immature nervous system improves, and colic tends to subside.
- Gas: The production of gas in the intestines, either through bacterial action or aerophagia (swallowing air), is considered a potential contributor to colic symptoms such as fussiness and abdominal enlargement.
- Milk Allergy: While milk allergies can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, there's no conclusive evidence linking a change in formula to a reduction in colic.
3. Symptoms of Colic:
- Frequent crying or fussiness, especially in the evening.
- Frequent burping or passing of gas.
- Flushed face, tense abdomen, and clenched hands.
4. Risk Factors for Colic: All families are at risk of having a baby with colic, regardless of the baby's sex, race, or socioeconomic class.
5. Concerns Related to Colic: Colic can be concerning for parents due to its potential to be frustrating, stressful, and disruptive to sleep patterns. Despite the challenges, babies with colic generally grow and gain weight appropriately.
6. Diagnosis and Evaluation: Healthcare providers diagnose colic by examining the baby, considering the duration and frequency of crying, potential triggers, and the effectiveness of comfort measures. Blood tests and imaging tests may be conducted to rule out other issues.
7. Dealing with Colic: Parents can try various strategies to soothe a colicky baby, including adjusting feeding, changing positions, providing visual and auditory stimulation, and seeking relief through motion or repetitive sounds. It's essential for parents to recognize that what works for one baby may not work for another.
8. Long-Term Outlook: Colic symptoms typically resolve by the age of 4 months, though they may persist until 6 months. Parents should consult their healthcare provider for guidance on managing colic and ensuring the well-being of the infant.
In summary, my expertise in pediatric health allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of colic, addressing its definition, potential causes, symptoms, risk factors, concerns, diagnosis, coping strategies, and long-term outlook. If you have further questions or concerns about colic, feel free to inquire.
