Having a newborn is an exciting and challenging experience. However, it can be very challenging for parents with a baby who suffers from colic.
What is colic in newborns?
Colic in newborns is a broad term.
“There is no standard definition for colic,” said Dr. Luis Garcia, pediatrician at OSF HealthCare.
“That makes it so hard to deal with. Because technically speaking, we don’t know what we want to achieve.”
Dr. Garcia said if your baby is extremely fussy for more than three hours at a time at least three times a week, colic may occur.
“It won’t harm your baby. “It’s just excessive and uncontrollable crying,” said Dr. Garcia.
The colicky cry sometimes sounds a little different than the cry when a baby needs something. Colic crying sounds more like screaming crying.
If you’ve changed his diaper, fed him, or held him and nothing helps to get him to stop crying, it’s usually called colic.
In simple terms, colic is an episode of excitement or crying.
What causes colic?
“One of the theories is that it somehow causes increased gas or bloating. But usually there isn’t one thing that causes colic,” said Dr. Garcia.
If you are breastfeeding, it may be due to something in the mother’s diet. Some babies are sensitive to certain foods that mothers eat, such as dairy products or gluten.
What are the symptoms of colic?
The most common symptoms of colic include:
- Persistent excitement even when they are calm
- Uncontrollable crying, often in the evening and at night
- Cry when they have no reason to cry
- Violent crying and screaming that is difficult to calm down
- Pale or red face when excited
- Tense body, such as tense, stiff legs and arms, clenched fists and arched back
Colic occurs particularly often at night and in the evening.
“You might even have colic all day long,” Dr. Garcia.
How long does colic last?
“Know that this is a temporary thing – even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. It will pass,” said Dr. Garcia.
Colic is most common in babies 3 weeks to 3 months old.
“After three months it should get better. “It definitely shouldn’t get any worse until then,” said Dr. Garcia.
If your baby is still crying uncontrollably after 3 or 4 months, it’s time to talk to the pediatrician. Your baby may have an underlying problem that is causing pain or stress.
How to help a baby with colic
“The first thing to do about colic is patience,” said Dr. Garcia.
Babies with colic have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. They cry uncontrollably when they should be completely happy.
Unfortunately, since there is no actual cause for colic, there is no way to prevent it. However, there are some tips that can help reduce the risk of your baby feeling uncomfortable or having gas.
Here are a few tips that can help you calm your baby with colic:
- Stay calm: Keep your baby in a loving, caring environment. It is usually frustrating and tiring for parents. As a parent, it’s okay to take a break.
- Make your baby feel comfortable: Keep your baby’s room at a comfortable temperature – around 70 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t overload them with too many layers.
- Soothing noise: White noise sometimes helps calm a baby with colic.
“It’s kind of like a comfort zone for your baby. It can’t be proven exactly, but it’s worth a try,” said Dr. Garcia.
- Help after eating: Keep them upright after eating. It helps them digest their food and reduce bloating.
“Almost every baby has reflux, and that’s normal. Reflux doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is having colic,” said Dr. Garcia.
- Avoid certain foods if you’re breastfeeding: If your baby is sensitive to certain enzymes or proteins in your milk, you may need to eliminate certain foods from your diet while breastfeeding.
Is gripe water safe for newborns?
Grasping water is not recommended for babies. Especially because it is unregulated and therefore may contain ingredients that are not good for babies. Depending on the variety, it may even contain alcohol. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recalled several brands of flu water because they contain harmful substances.
“Some things are sold as dietary supplements, but they are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So it’s not regulated at all,” said Dr. Garcia.
We don’t know what’s in gripe water. Because it is not standardized, it can cause many different side effects on your baby.