Colic

Your baby cries, and cries, and cries. In fact, nothing you seem to do comforts the child. Perhaps they pull their arms and legs to their bodies, or they stretch them out and stiffen, then pull them in again, or they turn bright red from crying. It has a name. It's called colic. No one knows what causes it but the good news is it usually goes away by the time the child is 6 months old.

A cause?

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says there is no known cause. Stomach pain is a suspect but it's not known for sure. One thing that does happen is when the child cries, they may swallow air and that can swell the stomach. One thing's for sure according to AAFP: it isn't the parent's fault. The National Institute on Nursing Research says about 25 percent of babies are colicky. There is nothing a parent does that causes colic and unfortunately, there isn't a lot they can do to stop it.

What to do

The first thing a parent should do is talk to their doctor. The baby should be examined to rule out specific medical causes. What a parent can do is try to soothe the baby as best they can. AAFP says don't worry about spoiling the baby with extra attention. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and AAFP suggest some of the following:

• Stay calm yourself; if you are anxious and upset you may pass that edginess on to your baby.
• Apply warmth, perhaps with a warm water bottle to the baby's stomach. Make sure it is warm, never hot.
• Wrap the child in soft blankets and hold them close.
• Rock them slowly or put them in an infant swing.
• Take them for a ride in the car, with them securely fashioned in an approved child safety seat firmly anchored in the back seat.

You might want to start keeping a diary on when the baby starts crying, what you do to help, and when the crying stops. Reviewing the information may help you figure out things that soothe the child. It also gives you some sense of control over what is going on. Be aware of things that happen just before the crying starts. Is there a loud noise, for instance?

You may want to discuss your feeding habits of the child with your doctor. The doctor may suggest changing formulas if that is how the baby is being fed or recommend changes in your diet if you are breastfeeding (Read about "Breastfeeding") the child.

Warning

If your baby is colicky, be aware of other reasons for their crying. Don't let their usual crying mask other problems. Contact your doctor if the child cries for a longer period of time than is usual, if they develop a fever or look sick. It is also important to monitor your own reactions. Dealing with a fussy baby can be stressful. (Read about "Stress") Seek help from others to get a break and call for help right away if you start thinking about hurting the child.

Related Information:

    Baby and Young Child Care