Colic

Signs and Symptoms

In an otherwise healthy infant three months or younger:

1. Crying that goes on for three hours or more at a time despite efforts to comfort the baby. Crying is often worse in the evening and continues into the night.

2. When gas pain is the cause.

3. Baby extends legs or pulls them up to the abdomen.

4.Baby passes gas.

What to do now

1. If gas pain seems to be the problem, Place your baby stomach-down on your lap and gently massage the baby’s back.

2. Walk with your baby, rock him or her in your arms or in a swing, or take him or her for a car ride. Rhythmic motion often soothes babies.

3. Some babies are calmed by “white noise” or rhythmic sounds. So put them near such sounds.

4. Wrap your baby snugly in a blanket for security and warmth.

5. Ask a friend or neighbor for help when you feel yourself getting frustrated from trying to soothe your colicky child.

When to call a doctor

1. If your baby has not had colic before and is now acting colicky.

2. If the colic gets worse.

3. If your baby is older than three months and is still colicky.

4. If your colicky baby is not hungry and is not gaining weight.

How to prevent it

1. If you’re nursing, notice whether your baby is colicky after you eat certain food, so that you can avoid them.

2. Frequent offenders include cabbage, onions, garlic, broccoli, and turnips, and the caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate, and cocoa.

3. For a colicky bottle-fed baby, switch to formula without cow’s milk.

4. Always burp your baby after feeding.

5. Try feeding your infant smaller amounts more frequently.

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