Colic and Newborns

What is Colic?

Colic is a condition that affects roughly 20% of newborn babies and is characterized by constant, consistent, and considerable crying. Although the cause is not known with certainty, it is often thought to be caused by digestive difficulties. Others believe that it can be caused by over-stimulation. In any case, colic is almost certainly results from a baby becoming accustomed to something new in its life (which itself is new), whether that be its diet, its surroundings, or something else entirely.

Identifying Colic

Because all babies cry, it can be difficult to be sure whether a baby has colic or whether it is crying for a different reason. However, colicky babies generally cry in some sort of a pattern. A good way to identify colic is to use the rule of threes. A baby might have colic if it cries for three or more hours at a time, three or more days a week, and for three or more consecutive weeks.

Colic also usually occurs at a particular time, often during or soon after feeding or in the evening before going to sleep. It’s also common for a colicky baby to have difficulty falling asleep. Sometimes it can be helpful to keep a journal of crying fits; you might be able to identify a pattern in the crying which could possibly help you decide how to make the baby more comfortable.

What to do About Newborns with Colic

If you think your newborn might suffer from colic, the first thing you need to do is bring it to a pediatrician. It would be unwise to simply assume that because a baby demonstrates some or most of the symptoms of colic that it actually has colic. When you bring it to a pediatrician, the doctor can run a number of tests. If he rules out a medical cause of the crying, he or she will most likely diagnose the baby with colic.

Unfortunately, a diagnosis of colic is mostly unhelpful. Because so little is known about the cause of colic, there is almost no clinically proven treatment for colic. If you are breastfeeding, you should ask your pediatrician or consult a breastfeeding specialist about what your diet should consist of. Many mothers report that eliminating dairy products from their diet seemed to help. Ask other parents and get plenty of opinions. Unfortunately, chances are that you will have to resort to trial and error until your baby seems more comfortable.