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WHAT IS COLIC?

 

Doctors have classified colic as persistent and vigorous crying for at least three hours a day, on more than three days of the week, over a period of three weeks or more.

 

Colic is a common cause of crying in babies. It affects breast-fed and bottle-fed babies equally, and seems to be more common in first-born children. Babies tend to suffer from it only in their first three months of life, so it is often referred to as three month colic.

 

The crying usually starts once the baby is around three weeks old. All babies cry from time to time, but crying caused by colic can be particularly distressing for the parents. Most babies with colic are happy and content when they are not crying and are otherwise well.

  

Colic has no lasting effect on the baby. Most babies will have grown out of it by the time they are four months old, and the crying usually stops as suddenly as it began. During the night, the baby stops screaming and only cries for the usual reasons, such as hunger or thirst.

 

 

Causes

 

It is not fully understood what causes colic. The main theory is that colic is a problem with the baby's digestive system, possibly caused by an allergy to milk, painful spasms of the baby's gut, or trapped wind caused by an intake of air. It could also be due to the immaturity of the baby's gut, which is still developing and finding it difficult to cope with food.

 

Feeding problems may also be a trigger (for example, not latching on to the mother's breast properly, rushed feeds or a poor milk supply from the mother). Colic has also been linked to tension between the parents, anxiety of the mother or agitated handling of the baby

 

Symptoms and signs

 

Colic attacks are usually worse in the late afternoon or evening and can be a very distressing time for a parent. If your baby is suffering from one or more of the following symptoms, he may have colic:

 

·        Cries incessantly in a high pitched tone for long periods of time (a bout of crying can last for several hours).

·        Is not willing to settle.

·        Goes red in the face during a crying episode.

·        Wakes from a short sleep with a startled cry.

·        Pulls his knees up to his stomach, as if in pain.

·        Has a tense and swollen stomach, clenched fists or arched back.

·        Fails to respond to the usual means of comforting, such as cuddling, feeding and nappy changing.

 

When to call the doctors.

 

Persistent crying should always be checked by your doctor, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms. The many possible causes include discomfort or pain, and the crying may be a sign of an illness that needs to be treated. In particular, you should ring the doctor if your baby shows any of the following symptoms:

·        Brings up an excessive amount of wind

·        Is fretful throughout the day

·        Vomits or possets a lot

·        Has diarrhoea or constipation

·        Refuses feeds

·        Has a fever or a rash

·        Stops gaining weight

·        Starts to cry a great deal

·        Is still experiencing colic after the age of five months

 

Easing colic

 

There is no cure for colic but there are ways to make your baby more comfortable.

 

·        Keep your baby in an environment without loud noises or bright lights and make sure he follows a regular feeding and sleeping routine

·        Hold him in a position that puts gentle pressure and warmth on his stomach, such as lying face down across your lap or against your shoulder. Rub and stroke your baby's back and tummy regularly.

·        If you are bottle feeding, talk to your health visitor or doctor, as your baby could be allergic to infant milk. Try switching to a different formula, possibly one free of cow's milk proteins. You could also try giving your baby small amounts of milk more frequently or feeding him more slowly, to stop him swallowing large amounts of air.

·         If you are breast­feeding, the crying could be triggered by something in your diet. Perhaps noting down everything you've eaten or drunk in the last 24 hours could produce a link. Common culprits include dairy products, caffeine, citrus fruits and gas-forming foods.

·        When breast-feeding, keep your baby in an upright position and let him finish one side first, so that he receives enough hindmilk to aid his digestion.

 

Easing the symptoms

 

Your baby should have been diagnosed with colic before you give him any over-the-counter preparations that are available from pharmacies.

 

Colic drops  contain drugs that help break down the tiny air bubbles in the baby's stomach. This allows swallowed air to be brought up more easily, easing any stomach pains and getting rid of trapped wind. The medicines can be given with your baby's feed or by syringe or spoon.

 

Gripe mixtures can help to settle your baby's stomach by getting rid of wind. Colic doesn't usually need medical treatment, but your doctor can prescribe medicines that stop gut spasms, such as dicyclomine. However, these shouldn't be given to babies under six months because of possible side-effects

 

When it gets too much

 

Coping with a colicky baby can be very stressful and may reduce parents to a state of despair, particularly as they often lose a lot of sleep during this trying time.

 

It is important to remember that the crying is only temporary and the bouts of colic will eventually cease Make sure you give yourself regular breaks and share the crying times with someone else. Above all, never punish a crying baby. If you are losing patience, put your baby in a cot or pram and close the door, to allow yourself time to calm down. If you are finding it hard to cope, ask your doctor   or health visitor for advice.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.