What is Colic?

Defining colic can be difficult because so little is known about what causes colic. Colic is excessive crying in a baby, usually between 2 and 16 weeks in age. All babies cry, but “colicky” babies cry harder, more often, and more consistently than most babies. Colic can best be identified when crying is seen in a “pattern of threes.” The baby cries at least three hours a day, at least three days per week, and for at least three weeks in a row. If this describes your baby, it might suffer from colic.

There are a number of theories about what causes colic. All of them basically boil down to a baby adjusting to being a human. Many people believe that it is caused by a digestive system that is not fully developed which can cause pain. Others believe that some babies are over-stimulated soon after birth and that this manifests itself through crying. Other theories also exist.

If you think your baby may suffer from colic, be sure to bring it to a pediatrician. While colic does not have any medical cures, babies often appear to suffer from colic when in fact they are suffering from something very curable and possibly more severe. When you bring your child to the doctor, the doctor will run a number of tests. If the doctor cannot identify a medical cause for your baby’s excessive crying, he or she will probably diagnose your baby with colic.

Unfortunately, a diagnosis of colic is largely ornamental. Because the cause is unknown, there is no medically proven cure for colic. A diagnosis is valuable simply to rule out any more serious cause of crying. However, this isn’t to say that there aren’t ways to relieve your baby’s symptoms. If you talk to a dozen different mothers who had colicky babies, you will probably find that they have a dozen different remedies. One might work for your baby, or you might find a new remedy for your baby. 

As a mother or father with a colicky baby, it’s important to remember that colic is normal and temporary. As many as 20% of infants suffer from colic, so you can be sure that yours is not the only one. Furthermore, colic rarely lasts longer than two months and almost never past six months in age. Babies always adjust to themselves, often sooner rather than later. It can be easy to get frustrated and depressed during a particularly bad crying fit, but it is important to remind yourself that it isn’t your fault and that it won’t last long.