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.
Where Can I Get Help
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome offers a program, the Period of PURPLE Crying, to help parents and other caregivers understand crying and how to handle it.
All Babies Cry is a program that helps people learn how to soothe a baby and cope with crying.
The program’s four parts are:
If you are worried you might hurt your baby or someone else will, call the national hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD anytime for help.
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.
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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.
B Dairy Or Soy Allergy
Pinpointing dairy or soy as THE cause of colic is difficult because fussiness is amorphous and because the effects of a hypoallergenic diet arent seen for some weeks. Nonetheless, most pediatricians will suggest an elimination diet because its fairly harmless.
However, some moms take this ambivalent advice and become obsessive. If their baby still cries after a few weeks of their cheese-less diet, they assume they werent diligent enough in removing foods, rather than concluding an allergy probably wasnt the root cause.
A dairy and soy allergy definitely causes excessive fussiness in some infants, but I suspect the number of moms permanently removing soy and dairy from their diet does not line up with the actual prevalence of these allergies . This is why I think of allergy as the celiac of colic. Some babies definitely have it, and it can be managed with dietary changes. But it probably only explains a small minority of fussy babies.
As with probiotics, the Canadian Pediatric Society is ambivalent about the helpfulness of a hypoallergenic diet.
Some studies have demonstrated a reduction in colic when breastfeeding mothers consumed a hypoallergenic diet, although there is conflicting evidence. Maternal consumption of a hypoallergenic diet may reduce colic in a small number of infants.
This ambivalence summarizes the general tenor of advice I got from my pediatricians: Cut out dairy and soy for 2 weeks, see if it makes a difference, if not, oh well.
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How To Know If Your Baby Has Colic
Babies cry.
Thats a universal rule of parenting that we cant escape.
However, they usually have reasons to cry. Its how they communicate! If your babys diaper is wet, or if shes hungry, cold, or uncomfortable, shell cry. Can you imagine needing something and not being able to talk or move excessively? Id cry, too!
The thing is, sometimes babies cry for no apparent reason. And when I say cry, I mean, really cry. Face contorted in pain, screaming from the top of their lungs, completely desperate over nothing, apparently? Well, Houston, we have a problem.
Ollie used to cry excessively and we ran through the checklist. Over, and over again. Diaper, fine. Hunger, fine. Temperature, fine. Cuddling, fine! Everything seemed fine. Yet something clearly wasnt.
After some days passed and the crying continued , we desperately took him to the doctor. There was nothing wrong with him. Well, almost nothing.
He was colicky.
How did his Doctor Know he had Baby Colic?
To know if your baby has colic, doctors usually use therule of three. Your baby may be colicky is she has been crying:
- At least three days a week.
- For at least three hours a day.
- During a span of three weeks or more.
In addition, other signs of a colicky baby are:
Having a colicky baby isnt fun, but it doesnt last forever. Colics usually go away on their own between 4 and 6 months .
And, most importantly, there are no long-term differences between babies who had colic and babies who didnt have them.
Create A Calming Feeding Time
Try making feeding time as peaceful as possible for both of you. Find a quiet spot and enjoy the peace of nursing, it will do wonders for your nerves and your babys digestion. Turn off the TV, play some soothing music, dim the lights and let your energy level slow down and become peaceful. A drop of lavender essential oil in the hollow of your throat will help you de-stress and soothe your baby, too. Just sitting, breathing and inhaling the scent will relieve the jangled nerves.
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How To Help A Baby With Colic
There is no treatment for colic. Different things will help different babies. As you get to know your baby, you will learn what works for you.
Things that might help include:
- Hold your baby close during a crying episode. You are not spoiling your baby by responding to their needs in this way.
- Sit your baby upright during feeds.
- Wind or burp your baby after feeds.
- Gently rock your baby.
- A warm bath can really help some babies with colic.
- Avoid over-stimulating your baby with loud noise, bright lights or a crowded room.
- Gently massaging your babys tummy before they are likely to cry may help. Do this in a circular motion. Do not massage after a feed.
There are some other things you may like to try. There is no scientific research to support their use, but some parents find them helpful:
- Movement and motion, for example a walk in the buggy or pram, or a car journey.
- White noise like the low frequency noise of a vacuum cleaner, a radio not tuned in properly or white noise music or apps.
What Are The Causes Of Colic
There isnt a concrete medical reason why infants experience colic, but several theories are to the cause. Most ideas revolve around the development of the newborn child. The theories assume that colic is a result of the intestinal growth of newborns. Knowing the possible causes of colic can assist better understand what your little one is going through and have a little patience. So, how do you do if your baby has colic?
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What Causes Colic In Babies
While the exact cause of colic is a mystery, experts do know that its not the result of genetics or anything that happened during pregnancy or childbirth. Nor is it any reflection on parenting skills. And it’s also not anyone’s fault.
That said, here are some theories on possible causes of colicky crying:
If Your Baby Frequently Goes Through Periods Of Screaming And Cryingand There’s Nothing You Can Do To Comfort Themthey May Be Suffering From Colic Learn More About The Causes And Symptoms Of This Common Condition
We expect babies to cry, but about 15% to 25% of newborns shed many more tears than others. When otherwise healthy babies cry excessively and inconsolably for no apparent reason, pediatricians might suspect colic. “It’s not really a diagnosis it’s a behavioral observation,” says Harvey Karp, M.D., pediatrician and creator of the DVD and book, The Happiest Baby on the Block. Read on to learn more about the causes and symptoms of colic, with tips on stopping the crying spells.
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How Do Doctors Diagnose Colic In A Baby
For a babys crying to be diagnosed as infantile colic, the three criteria are:
- The crying present for at least 3 hours a day.
- The crying occurs at least 3 days a week.
- The crying is persistent for at least 3 weeks in a row.
There is no test to confirm colic. The doctor does a physical examination of the baby, and if needed, they can order a few tests to rule out:
There is no treatment to eliminate colic. It usually goes away on its own by the time the baby is 4 months old. Your doctor may give some medications, such as simethicone, fennel extract, or some nutritional supplement containing probiotics to ease the discomfort in the gut, if any.
Some steps can help alleviate the severity and duration of the episodes. Here is what you can do:
- Feed the baby after you make sure that they are hungry.
- Bottle-feed the baby in an upright position.
- Check your babys diaper, change the diaper if dirty, and keep the diaper area clean.
- Increase the frequency of burping after the feedings.
- Swaddling the baby in a blanket, preferably in dim light.
- Try changing the infant formula.
- Walk with the baby in your arms.
- Talk to your baby.
- Take the baby out for a ride in the stroller or a car.
- Make use of a pacifier.
- Give the baby a warm bath.
- See if eliminating certain foods, such as eggs, wheat, or soy, helps resolve the colic. Try cutting back on one food item at a time to see which foods are associated with the colic.
What Are The Complications Of Colic
As such, colic does not cause any short-term or long-term medical problems for a child. Colic can be stressful for parents. Research has shown an association between colic and the following issues in relation to parental well-being:
- Increased chances of postpartum depression in mothers
- Early weaning of the child
- Feelings of guilt, exhaustion, and helplessness
In some cases, the stress of calming a crying baby may prompt the parents to shake or otherwise harm their child. Shaking a baby can have severe implications. It may damage their brain and even cause death.
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Why Does My Baby Make Fart Noises
In the first month, your baby is learning how to digest food for the first time. The muscles that are responsible for digestion are still developing. This makes the food they eat go through without a proper breakdown. It causes gas to develop through their intestines which lead to excessive farting.
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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What Should You Do If Your Baby Reacts To Caffeine In Breast Milk
If you think your baby may be reacting to your caffeine intake, itâs a good idea to try reducing the amount you consume each day or to give up caffeine for a few weeks so that it clears your system. But thereâs no need to give up breastfeeding in the meantime.
Youll want to eliminate caffeine from your diet graduallyâgiving up caffeine immediately can result in your experiencing headaches.
Consult your babyâs healthcare provider for guidance if you suspect your baby may be negatively affected by your caffeine intake or if you have any other questions about breastfeeding your baby.
Why Do Some Babies Have Colic And Others Dont
Scientists have been researching the causes of colic for more than 50 years. There is still no scientifically proven answer. However, some theories:
- Babies nervous systems are not yet fully developed, especially in the first few months.
- The baby suffers from severe gas.
- The baby was exposed to nicotine during pregnancy or the parents smoke around their child.
- Too Much Food Most babies eat about a fifth of their body weight in food within 24 hours.
- The baby suffers from a regulatory disorder. This is a crying, sleeping, and eating disorder. In this case you should consult your pediatrician.
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Should I Take My Baby To The Doctor For Colic
Yes, it’s a good idea to see the doctor about your baby’s excessive crying. The doctor can rule out potential causes such as intestinal problems or urinary infections, and will check to see if your baby is feeding and growing normally. The doctor will also help you determine the best course of action for your baby if they do have colic.
And if your baby has other symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody stools call the doctor immediately. These symptoms are not due to colic.
How To Soothe A Baby With Colic
You had just settled into a comfortable routine with your new baby when, at about 3 weeks old, they start fussing and crying for hours each evening. Welcome to one of the most challenging aspects of parenting a baby: colic.
While colic sounds like a disease, its simply the name for excessive crying during a babys first few months. The good news about colic is that it typically lasts until the baby is about 3 months old, then magically disappears, says Catherine Bonita, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician with expertise in newborn care and nutrition at CHOPs Primary Care location in Flourtown, PA.
Thats also the bad news. A few months of trying to soothe a colicky baby through the evening can seem like a very long time.
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How Is Colic Diagnosed Or Evaluated
A healthcare provider will 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 Does Colic Start And End
Colic starts around 2 to 3 weeks of age. A baby with colic will often go through his crying spells between 6:00 p.m. and midnight. Of course, thats just when you as a parent are also feeling worn out. While the incessant screaming might make you want to pull your hair out, just remember that this phase wont last forever. Colic usually peaks around 6 to 8 weeks and then slowly dissipates, disappearing completely around 3 to 4 months of age.
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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.
What Is The Difference Between Normal And Colicky Crying
Sometimes your baby will cry because she is hungry or tired, or because she has a wet diaper. But when sheâs been fed, cuddled, or had her diaper changed, she will stop crying.
If, however, she seems to cry for no reason, and continues to cry even once youâve checked her diaper, fed her, and comforted her as best you can, she may have colic.
This is what sets normal crying apart from colicky crying. With normal crying, your baby will respond to comfort measures and will stop crying eventually with colic, your baby persistently cries and canât seem to be consoled.
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Are There Any Medicines Or Supplements That Ease Colic
Other than probiotics, you can try anti-gas drops sold over-the-counter. Anti-gas drops have not been proven effective for colic, but they are commonly used for gas pain in babies and are generally considered safe.
Dont give your baby any of these in an effort to calm them down:
- Infant cereal or other solid foods. Your infant baby isnt ready to digest solid food, and giving it to your baby wont help them feel better.
- Medicationssuch as antispasmodics or antihistamines. These can be unsafe for your baby.
- Herbal teas or supplements. Herbal remedies can be unsafe because the strength, dosage, and quality of the herbs cant be guaranteed. Thats one reason why many experts advise against giving herbs to your baby, while others recommend that you only do so under the guidance of your babys doctor.
Talk with your doctor before giving your baby anything other than breast milk or formula.
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