Nighttime Fussiness Or Colic
Experts claim that most babies experience colic symptoms to some extent. In those babies with less intense symptoms, the condition is rather referred to as nighttime fussiness and all babies will sometimes fuss during the day. The symptoms and peak time of fussy crying are the same as for colic, but colicky babies cry longer and more intense.
With nighttime fussiness, theres no way to end the frustration easily, and its even harder for parents with colicky babies, but there are some natural remedies that you may try to relieve the colicky pain in infants.
When To Call Your Babys Doctor
You should call your babys doctor if you are feeling concerned, at all. Other times that you may want to call your babys doctor include, but are not limited to:
If your baby is not gaining weight or if they are losing weight.
Your baby is crying uncontrollably and cannot be soothed at all, even if only for a minute or two.
If it appears that your baby is having any trouble breathing.
Your baby is not eating normally.
If your baby has a fever. This post is really helpful if you want to learn more about fevers, including what temperature is safe and remedies to help your childs fever.
If your baby is having diarrhea or is vomiting.
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When To Visit A Doctor
Talk to your Plunket nurse, call PlunketLine, or your doctors office if your baby:
- isnt feeding well
- doesnt settle or continues to cry for long periods
- has a different cry than normal. A louder, more urgent or high-pitched cry could be a sign of a more serious illness.
Or if you:
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When To See A Pediatrician
If you have tried these soothing tips and still dont help your baby, consult a pediatrician as there may be an underlying cause for the crying. You can bring your baby to the doctor if:
- your baby has a fever
- doesnt want to feed
- vomits or has a loose bowel movement
- always sleepy than normal
- crying for several hours
When Does Colic Start
In most cases, colic starts when a baby is aged between 2 to 5 weeks. This is the time when a baby is getting used to the environment, and any allergy or abnormal thing may cause colic in a newborn. The colic usually lasts when a baby is 4 months young, but in some rare cases, it may stay for as long as 6 months.
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What Is The Difference Between Crying And Colic
Colicky crying is louder, more high-pitched, and more urgent sounding than regular crying. Colicky babies can be very hard to calm down. Babies who have colic may show symptoms such as: Burping often or passing a lot of gas.
How can I ease colic?
How can you soothe a baby with colic?
Is Colic painful for babies?
Colic is an attack of crying and what appears to be abdominal pain in young infancy. It is a common condition and is estimated to affect up to 1 in 5 infants during their first few months. All infants cry for various reasons, including hunger, cold, tiredness, heat, or because the diaper needs changing.
What Causes Infant Gas
There are a number of causes of infant gassome internal, some external. A major contributor is the simple fact that your infants digestive system is immatureits in the process of learning how to get things running smoothly. Another significant factor is somewhat of a catch 22. When your baby cries, they may swallow air, which causes gas if its uncomfortable or painful, it may make them cry, therefore swallowing too much air again. Sometimes our little darlings just cant catch a break!
Another reason behind gas can be feeding time, when they may gulp air down with their breastmilk or formula. Air may get trapped in their bottle, too, or the seal between your babys lips and your or a bottles nipple can break, contributing to swallowing air as well. If you give your baby powdered formula, the process of mixing it can generate bubblesso allow time for the formula to settle. Certain ingredients in formula or baby food may also cause gas, like cows milk, especially if your baby is lactose intolerant.
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Whats Normal Crying And Whats Colic
Dont be surprised if your newborn cries a lot. During their first 3 months of life, babies can cry for up to 2 hours a day.
If your baby has colic, though, they are more likely to:
- Cry for what seems like no reason even when they dont need to eat or have their diaper changed
- Start to cry in the evening, or at the same time every day
- Cry for 3 or more hours each day, more than 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks
- Make sounds that are more intense than normal more like a high-pitched scream than a cry
- Not be soothed, even when you feed or rock them
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Signs And Symptoms Of Colic
Signs and symptoms that your baby has colic include:
- periods of crying where they are harder to console than usual over 3 hours a day for more than 3 days a week and over a period of 3 weeks or more
- drawing their legs up, arching their back or clenching their fists
- going red in the face
- seeming to settle and then having another spell of crying
Crying is more common in the evening time. Sometimes a baby with colic can cry for many hours during the day or night.
If your baby has colic, they may appear to be in distress. But babies with colic are fine between periods of crying. Your baby should be feeding well and gaining weight even if they have colic.
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Give Your Baby Some Quiet Time
Trying to cheer up your baby during colic episodes would not alleviate or soothe the discomforts. What your baby needs is some quiet time. You can treat your baby with some quiet time by taking him or her to a dark room and try to talk in whispers or soft tones.
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How To Soothe Colic In Babies
In 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 . Talk to your doctor for tips and possible causes of your babys colic too.
- Colic is when a healthy baby cries for a very long time, for no obvious reason.
- It affects some babies during the first 3 to 4 months of life.
- Colic usually begins suddenly, with loud and mostly nonstop crying.
- Colicky babies can be very difficult to calm down.
- Changing how your baby is fed, and using different calming methods, can help to soothe a colicky baby.
- Colic goes away on its own, sometimes by age 3 months. In most cases it is gone by age 6 months.
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What Are The Signs Of Colic
Features of colic may include the following: Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain. Crying for no apparent reason, unlike crying to express hunger or the need for a diaper change. Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished.
Does Gripe Water Help Colic?
A baby is more likely to experience stomach discomfort when unable to pass gas. Some babies cry for several hours over days or weeks. Since the herbs in gripe water theoretically help with digestion, this remedy is thought to help with colic caused by gassiness.
How do you soothe a colicky baby?
How To Soothe Colic
First, consult with your pediatrician to ensure theres no underlying medical issue causing your little ones extreme fussiness.
If youre breastfeeding, you can also try to eliminate milk products, caffeine, onions, cabbage, and any other potentially irritating foods from your own diet. And if youre formula-feeding, you can talk with your pediatrician about switching to a protein hydrolysate formula. But Dr. Unger cautions against taking extreme measures prematurely.
Take a hard look at your day, she says. Is there a way to alter your babys patterns of wake and sleep that may help them get better rest? Often these changes can help. Other strategies to try before making serious adjustments include:
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Adjust What Mommy Is Eating
Other less popular options include watching what you eat and changing the infants formula when you notice discomfort. Your current diet could be causing gas for both you and your baby when breastfeeding.
What you eat affects a baby when he or she is breastfeeding. Lactose intolerant babies can thrive on lactose-free baby formulas and experience reduced signs of colic.
How To Treat Colic In Babies
There is no treatment to get rid of colic. However, there are ways to help soothe the baby and reduce their crying.
If breastfeeding the baby
- Keep a record of eating and drinking. Everything the mother drinks or consumes can get passed on to the baby.
- Avoid dairy products and nuts in case the baby is allergic to them.
- Ask the doctor about any medications that may trigger this problem.
If feeding formula milk
- Try a different brand if the current brand seems to cause problems.
- Avoid feeding the baby too much or too quickly. One bottle feeding should last about 20 minutes.
- Warm the formula to body temperature.
- Try to feed the baby in an upright position.
Soothing strategies may include
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Does Your Baby Have Colic
All babies have periods of crying and fussing. Its considered colic when the crying goes on for more than three hours a day for more than three days a week. The crying is often accompanied by burping and other signs of gas, which may be because the baby is swallowing air when they cry.
When parents come to her about a crying baby who isnt easily consoled, Dr. Bonita asks questions and examines the baby to rule out health problems. If the baby is eating well and growing, has no vomiting or diarrhea, and follows a pattern of extended crying in the evening it is probably colic.
Colic typically starts when babies are about 3 weeks old, with extended periods of crying in the evening, between 6 p.m. and midnight. The long crying spells usually end when the baby is about 3 months old, though some babies continue to have crying spells until they are 6 months old.
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Things You Can Try To Soothe Your Baby
Your baby does not usually need to see a doctor if they have colic. Speak to your health visitor for advice and support.
Health visitors and doctors will usually advise you to:
- hold or cuddle your baby when they’re crying a lot
- sit or hold your baby upright during feeding to stop them swallowing air
- wind your baby after feeds
- gently rock your baby over your shoulder
- gently rock your baby in their Moses basket or crib, or push them in their pram
- bath your baby in a warm bath
- have some gentle white noise like the radio or TV in the background to distract them
- keep feeding your baby as usual
Other things you may hear about include:
- anti-colic drops and herbal and probiotic supplements
- changes to your diet if you’re breastfeeding
- applying gentle pressure to your baby’s spine or skull
But there’s very little evidence these things work. Speak to your health visitor for further advice.
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Try A Different Formula
If baby is formula-fed, your child may be reacting to something in the specific variety youre using. Some moms find that changing formulas can make all the difference! Check out this post for the best baby formula, and consider trying this homemade formula recipeits alive, rich in bioavailable nutrients, and easier to digest than many powdered alternatives.
What Are The Causes Of Colic In Infants
Colic represents one of the great mysteries of being a parent. Their causes aren`t completely known, but as mentioned above, it`s believed to be related to the baby`s digestive system. Around 20% of babies have colic, no matter if they were breastfed or fed with formula. Also, there are situation in which parents don`t have such issues with their first child, but they confront with colic with their second child . It isn`t really known why some babies are more prone to colic than other ones, but specialists have a few theories regarding their occurrence, which include changes in the normal bacteria that can be found in the little one`s digestive system, allergies, anxious parents, lactose intolerance, a digestive system which hasn`t been completely developed, and various differences in the manner a baby is comforted or fed.
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Colic Symptoms & Signs
You know your baby has colic if he or she displays the following colic symptoms and signs:
- Your babys cry seems like a scream or sound as if they are in pain.
- Your baby is fussy even after they have stopped crying.
- Your baby cries at a regular time, usually during the evenings.
- Your babys face is flushed during crying.
- Your baby curls up, stiffens their legs and arms, has a tensed abdomen, and a clenched fist.
- Your baby passes the gas and feels relieved .
- You cannot console your baby.
How Can You Treat Colic And Reflux
Treating colic and reflux can be frustrating because both can last for months. Colic especially can be hard to manage. When your newborn cries for hours on end, it can become incredibly stressful for everyone involved.
It is important to wind a baby regularly anyway, but more so if they suffer from colic. Babies can become uncomfortable after drinking their milk, simply because their tummies are so small that they become full a lot quicker. Their milk can add bubbles of wind to their tummies too, creating even more discomfort.
The only thing that can help with colic is to ride it out. Keep yourself and your baby as relaxed as possible. Hold your baby when they are crying, it will pass in time.
For reflux, feed your baby in as upright a position as possible and keep them upright after feeding. Take the time to wind them regularly during and after a feed and feed them slowly. In fact, feeding little and often may be the ideal solution for your baby as this will allow their digestive system to make the workload more manageable. Reflux in babies does usually go away on its own. If you are struggling with some of these symptoms, particularly with lack of weight gain, do contact your doctor as they may be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe something for your baby.
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How Can Babocush Help With Colic And Reflux
The babocush cushion holds your baby safely in a tummy-down position. Tummy time can be invaluable it alleviates pressure on your babys back and windpipe. By relaxing the airways, your baby can breathe more easily and enjoy the change in position.
While on their tummy, the cushion helps recreate the conditions of the womb with a heartbeat simulator and gentle vibrations. The device inside every babocush cushion sends out a gentle, consistent beat that soothes your baby. Ahead of bedtime or after feeding it offers a unique period of contentment not found elsewhere. To learn more about the babocush cushion, you canshop our collection here.
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How Do I Know If My Baby Has Colic Or Reflux
Filed under:baby colic, baby reflux, colic, newborn, newborn crying, reflux
Colic and reflux are two of the most common conditions that can affect newborn babies. Around a quarter of all babies suffer with colic, and reflux is estimated to be double that. As an expecting or new parent, it is important to know the difference between the two so you can know how to comfort your baby. At babocush, we are extremely familiar with both colic and reflux, so these pointers on how to address the conditions should help.
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How Do You Make Colic Go Away
Babies who have colic can sometimes respond well to different ways of being held or rocked.
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