How to cope with a colicky baby

Does your baby cry for hours every day for no apparent reason? If so, you’re not alone. An estimated 1 in 5 of all infants suffer from colic – ongoing, frequent crying that can occur in otherwise healthy babies. Normally, babies cry because they need something such as a diaper change, food, have discomfort from gas, pain, or feel unwell. Crying associated with colic happens with no clear cause.

If your baby starts to cry a lot, your pediatrician can check to make sure there isn’t an underlying cause. If your baby seems to be especially distressed, blood tests and X-rays or other imaging tests may be done to determine whether your baby has other problems. Physicians can diagnose colic without any tests.

If colic is the diagnosis, then it is a condition that is usually both harmless and temporary. Colicky babies seem happy and comfortable in between crying episodes and tend to spontaneously recover by the age of 3 or 4 months.

“Part of the frustration with colic is that science has not provided us with a crystal-clear cause of the crying. Both parents and doctors alike are searching for better answers,” said Dr. Natasha Burgert, pediatrician in Kansas City, Missouri, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Causes:
Experts suspect a variety of possible causes:
- An immature digestive system which might mean being prone to getting upset tummies until they get a bit older;
- Food allergies. If breastfeeding, babies may have a sensitivity to a food in your diet. If you are nursing, try to eliminate potentially irritating foods from your diet (caffeine, milk products, onions, garlic, etc.). If your baby is being formula-fed, then they may have a sensitivity to milk protein in the formula. Discuss a protein hydrolysate formula with your doctor.
- Some colicky babies may have tummy trouble caused by issues such as under or over-feeding; gastroesophageal reflux disease. Reflux may be accompanied by extra spitting-up and vomiting.
- Your baby’s temperament. Support for this theory is limited, but some research suggests parental coaching to understand and respond to an individual baby’s crying behaviors can be helpful.
- Any family can have a baby with colic. Any baby can become colicky.

Symptoms of colic:
- Colicky babies typically cry for about three hours a day, at least 3 times per week for at least 3 weeks, without other known causes for the crying.
- A colicky cry has a higher pitch and sounds more fussy and moody than the cries for food, pain or other known reasons.
- Either extending their legs, or pulling them into a fetal position.
- Passing gas is common.
- Sometimes a baby’s tummy becomes enlarged with gas as a result of gulping in extra air from the crying.
- Colic crying episodes are more common during the evening hours, and peaks at the age of 6 weeks.

What can you do?
- Ask your doctor to rule out possible causes of fussiness.
- If your baby is being fed cow’s milk formula, talk to your doctor about cow’s milk intolerance as a possible cause.
- Hold your baby upright when feeding to prevent them swallowing air.
- Burp your baby often, during and after feeding.
- Feed your baby smaller amounts more frequently.
- If breastfeeding, reduce your caffeine intake to see if it has an effect.
- Soothe your baby with movements such as rocking, or taking a trip in the car.
- Avoid over-stimulation. Loud music, a television that’s constantly on, or lots of visitors might be too much for this particular baby.
- Some babies may be fussy because they are bored and need more stimulation, such as a walk, or quiet music.
- Try turning on a device that produces a calming sound such as a white noise device, or the humming sound of a fan. These types of sounds can remind babies of being inside the womb.
- If it helps, hold your baby during a crying episode.
- Hold your baby on its left side in your arms. This can help make digestion a bit easier. Or, have your baby’s stomach facing down in your arms, and gently rub their back. Always lay babies down on their back when they are asleep in their crib or other surface.
- Maintain your own health. Parents of colicky babies are often sleep-deprived and frustrated. Leave your baby with other caregivers periodically so you can rest and recharge your batteries.