Colic
Colic is excessive crying in healthy babies without any major cause. It can be frustrating, very stressful and sometimes scary, but it’s not believed to be dangerous. Most babies who have colic will eat normally and grow up just like any other child. Colic usually ends at the age of six months.
Signs of colic
Babies with colic cry for:
- More than three hours a day
- More than three days a week
- More than three weeks
- It’s very hard to calm your kid
- Your child is extremely moody.
In the morning and evening, children with colic may cry more often than during the day.
Things to do if your child has colic
Doctors will advise you to:
- Cuddle your baby when they’re crying
- When feeding, sit or hold your child upright to prevent them swallowing air
- Wind your child after feeding
- Rock your child softly over your shoulder or in their crib
- Bathe your child in a hot tub
- Have some soft white noise in the background
- Keep your child feeding as normal
When to see a doctor
Usually there is no reason to bring a colic baby to the doctor, other than calming the parents. However if you are concerned about your child’s health or you find it too difficult to deal with the constant crying, you better go see a professional. Also see a doctor if your child is over 6 months of age and still appears to have colic symptoms, as colic usually ends at the age of six months.
Cause of the colic
What makes a baby colic is not really known. Some believe it can be because when children are young, digesting food is more difficult. Others think they may cry because they have food allergy issues, like allergies to formula based on cow’s milk.
