Does my baby have colic?

Colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant. Colic can be particularly frustrating for parents because the baby’s distress occurs for no apparent reason and no amount of consoling seems to bring any relief.  All newborns cry and get fussy sometimes. During the first 3 months of life, they cry more than at any other time. But when a baby who is healthy cries for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, a health care provider may say the baby has colic.

What causes Colic?

Doctors aren’t sure what causes colic. It may be due to digestion problems or a sensitivity to something in the baby’s formula or that a nursing mom is eating. Or it might be from a baby trying to get used to the sights and sounds of being out in the world. Some colic ridden babies also have gas because they swallow so much air while crying. But it’s not the gas that causes the colic.

Colic is a common problem, occurring in about one out of 10 infants. It occurs equally in baby boys and baby girls, and usually begins within 10 days to three weeks after birth.

Is it Colic or normal crying?

Colic is a special pattern of crying. Babies with colic are healthy, and eating and growing well but cry in spells. The spells happen at the same time of day. Most often, the crying starts in the early evening.

During a colic spell, a baby:

• is very hard to soothe
• may pull in the legs, stiffen the arms, arch the back, or clench fists
• has high-pitched crying or screaming
• can have a red face or pale skin around the mouth

How is colic diagnosed?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. You may be asked questions such as:

• How long and how often does your baby cry?
• Have you found anything that seems to trigger the crying?
• What comfort methods help to calm your baby, if any?

Blood tests and X-rays or other imaging tests may be done. These can help find out if your baby has other health problems.

How can I treat my baby with colic?

Because there is no clear cause of colic, there’s no one treatment. Your child’s doctor will recommend some things that might calm them down. Try them one at a time. If one doesn’t work after a few days, try another. Colic will get better on its own. You may just have to wait for the fussiness to improve when your baby is about 4 months old.

Some nursing moms find that cutting caffeine, dairy, soy, egg, or wheat from their diet helps. Talk to your doctor before doing this and stop only one thing at a time.