Infant Colic
What is infant colic?
Infant colic is a condition where a healthy and well-fed infant cries too much for an unknown reason. An infant is a baby who is less than one year old. With infant colic, your baby may cry too much for more than three hours a day. This crying continues for more than three days a week, for at least three weeks. Crying often starts in late afternoon or early evening. Once your baby cries, he cannot be soothed, even by feeding. Infant colic may affect babies during their first weeks of life and go away by age 4 to 6 months.
What causes infant colic?
The exact cause of infant colic is not known. The following are possible conditions or factors that may cause infant colic:
Milk:
Your baby may have an allergy to the milk formula he is drinking.
Mother's diet:
Babies who are breast fed may have an allergy to what their mothers eat. These foods include milk, cheese, wheat, and nuts.
Parenting behavior:
Some parents do not know or understand a baby's normal development. This can cause stress and worry. Problems due to work, money, or taking care of the baby may add to their stress. When people around the babies are anxious or depressed, babies may tend to become anxious also, or cry more.
Problems with the digestive system:
The digestive system, also called the gut, is where the body digests (breaks down) food. Some caregivers believe that infants who have problems with their digestive system may get infant colic. Food may not be moving normally through your baby's gut. When food is pushing too slowly or too quickly, this causes stomach pain and increased gas.
Smoking:
Mothers who smoke cigarettes may increase their baby's risk of having infant colic.
Temperament and immature brain:
Your baby's temperament (mood and how he responds) may add to the chances of developing colic. He may be very sensitive to normal noise, movement, or changes around him, and react by crying. Since his brain is not yet fully developed, he cannot control or stop his crying even when fed or comforted.
What are the signs and symptoms of infant colic?
Your baby may cry very often, for long periods of time. He may also have any of the following:
Abdomen (belly) that looks or feels hard.
Flushing or reddening of his face.
High-pitched crying sounds or screaming as if he is in great pain.
Kicking or moving more than usual.
Making tight fists with his hands.
Passing gas often.
Pulling his legs up close to his abdomen.
How is infant colic diagnosed?
Caregivers will ask you about your baby's health since his birth. You may need to tell them when your baby cries, eats, sleeps, or has bowel movements. They may also want to know if anyone in your family is allergic to certain foods or other things. A physical exam will also be done to look for problems with your baby. Your baby may be weighed to check if he is getting enough to eat and drink. Laboratory and x-ray tests are usually not needed if your baby's physical exam is normal. If caregivers cannot find another medical problem, you may be told that your baby has infant colic.
How is infant colic treated?
There are many ways to treat infant colic. Work together with your baby and his caregiver to help relieve his colic. Your baby may need one or more of the following:
Diet changes:
Your baby needs to drink milk that will not cause an allergic reaction. If your baby is bottle fed, you may need to change his milk formula. If you are the mother of a baby who is being breast fed, your diet may need to change. Avoid foods such as milk, cheese, wheat, and nuts, which may cause your baby to develop an allergy.
Medicines:
Medicines may be given to help calm your baby's stomach or make him relax. Ask your baby's caregiver before giving him any medicines.
Others:
Ask your baby's caregiver about the following treatments before using them:
Counseling for parents:
Caregivers may talk to you or other family members, or other people who care for your baby. You will be told that your baby's crying will decrease over time, and to be patient. Caregivers will also suggest ways to care for your baby.
Chiropractic therapy:
Caregivers who move body parts in certain ways may help relieve your baby's colic. This may include parts such as the spine (backbone) and joints. Joints are places on the body where two bones meet, such as the elbow, or the knee.
Herbal tea:
Extracts from leaves, herbs, and trees may be used to make teas. Having your baby drink tea may relax him and calm his stomach, but do not give your baby tea unless your baby's caregiver says it is OK.
How can I take care of my baby?
A baby needs his parent's love and care. You may do the following to take care of your baby:
Be patient and stay calm when caring for your baby. Never shake your baby when you feel anxious or stressed. Shaking your baby can hurt him and cause brain damage.
Hold your baby securely and gently massage the lower part of his abdomen. Placing a warm compress over his abdomen or giving him a warm bath may soothe him.
Hug, cuddle, and rock your baby. Gentle, soothing motions may comfort your crying baby. You may rock him in a rocking chair or cradle, or put him in a wind-up swing. You may also take a car ride with your baby or carry him in a front-pack.
Let your baby rest and get plenty of sleep in a quiet room. Playing lullabies or other soft music can be very relaxing for him.
Where can I find more information?
Having a baby with infant colic may be hard. You and those close to your baby may feel scared, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your baby's caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have babies with infant colic. Contact the following for more information:
American Academy of Family Physicians
PO Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
913-906-6000
1-800-274-2237
http://www.aafp.org
