When your baby cries and cries for no reason this may be due to colic. Your baby may pull his or her knees up to the stomach. Usually, colic attacks start in the evening. Colic is very hard on parents.
Nothing seems to help when your baby has colic - not feeding, changing the diaper, or cuddling. But don't worry. Colic is hardly ever dangerous. And it doesn't last long. Colic usually starts after the baby is 2 weeks old. It is worst at about 3 months. It usually goes away when the baby is 4 months old.
Causes
No one knows why babies get colic. It may be any or all of these problems:
The baby can't digest its food.
The baby has an allergy to some food.
The baby has gas in its stomach.
The baby doesn't get enough sleep.
Noises in the house bother the baby.
When a colic attack is over, the baby may pass gas or have a full diaper.
Sometimes a colicky baby has a bigger problem. There may be something blocking the bowel, so the baby can't pass stool. A doctor can examine your baby and run tests for this and other medical problems.
Prevention
Have your baby sit up at
feeding time. This way, the baby will swallow less air.
If you are breast-feeding, try these tips:
Cut down on cola, coffee, cocoa, and tea.
Stop eating foods that have milk for a week. The baby's colic may go away. (Make sure you
check with your doctor before you try this.
He or she may want you to take extra calcium.)
Don't make the baby's milk or formula too
hot.
Check the nipple on your baby's bottle. If
the hole is too small, the baby will swallow air.
Try a new formula.
Try to make things quiet and calm when you
feed your baby.
Burp the baby more often.
Does your infant show any of these signs? Is hard to arouse or wake up Stares off into space Is unable to be normally active |
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| Do you feel out of control and are you tempted to hit the baby? |
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| Is the baby doing any of these things? Throwing up Having diarrhea Passing black or bloody stool |
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| Does the baby have any of these problems? A fever higher than 101oF Weight loss Refusing to be fed normally |
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| Is the baby less than 2 weeks old or more than 4 months old? |
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| Does the colic last more than 4 hours at a time? Or, is the baby
taking any prescription medicine? |
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Stay calm. Try to relax. It is hard to deal with a screaming baby. None of
these tips will cure colic, but they may help.
Be sure the baby has enough to
eat. He or she may just be hungry.
Try different bottle nipples. Make the hole
bigger if it is too small. Cut across the hole that is already there. (You will make an
X-shaped hole.) Here's how to find out if the hole is too small:
Put cold formula in the bottle.
Turn the bottle upside down and shake it or squeeze it.
Count the drops of formula that fall out. There should be 1 drop each second. If the drops
come
out slower than that, the hole is too small.
Hold your baby up for feeding. Keep holding
the baby up for a while after feeding.
Burp your baby after each ounce of formula.
Burp the baby every few minutes when breast-feeding.
Use a pacifier. But never put a pacifier on
a string around the baby's neck.
Wrap the baby in a blanket and rock him or
her. Or put the baby in a baby swing.
Try the "colic carry." Lay the
baby on its stomach across your arm. Put the baby's face in your hand and let the legs
straddle your inner elbow. Hold the baby's back with your other hand so he or she won't
fall. Walk around like this for a while.
Carry the baby while you vacuum. Use a baby
carrier that you wear on your back or chest.
Play soft, gentle music. This may help you
and the baby.
Take your baby outside for a ride in the
stroller or car.
Run the dryer or dishwasher. Buckle your
baby in a baby seat. Lean the seat against the side of the dryer or on the counter near
the dishwasher. Stay with your baby. Make sure the heat or steam won't hurt the baby.
Don't give the baby antacids like Maalox or
simethicone drops unless a doctor tells you to.
Let your baby cry him-or herself to sleep
if nothing else helps. But call the doctor if the baby cries for more than 4 hours.
Get someone else to take care of your baby
if you get too stressed. Get some rest.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99