Colic is often defined by the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks in an infant who is well-fed and otherwise healthy.
Colic babies typically experience the "Rule of 3s" - crying episodes that last at least 3 hours a day, occur more than 3 times a week for more than 3 weeks.
By far the most common such definition is called Wessel's “rule of threes.” This rule states that if your infant cries more than three hours a day for more than three days a week for more than three weeks, than your infant has “colic.” Although it is widely used, it is an unfortunate rule because (1) it does not tell ...
The rule of threes
One way to compare normal and excessive crying uses an informal “rule of threes.” If your baby cries for three hours at a time, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks, then their crying is colicky, in the absence of other conditions that account for the behavior.
They're not going to feel as secure in their world,” he says. Knowing this, parents should brush aside any advice from outsiders about responding too much to their little one's cries. “A good rule of thumb is under 6 months you can't spoil them, so that's the best thing to keep in mind,” he says.
With so many believing it, it must be true, right? According to research, no, you can't spoil your baby by picking them up, cuddling, or meeting their needs as soon as they cry. In fact, not only will you not spoil them, research has found many benefits to picking up your child whenever they cry.
It is a normal part of a baby's development. Provided you have ruled out any medical conditions with your doctor, it's good to know the crying will stop at some point. Although it can be frustrating and even anger-provoking, be assured your baby is not doing it on purpose.
There is something called 'the period of PURPLE crying' which refers to a time period when some babies begin crying more and may be hard to settle. This usually starts at about 2 weeks of age and peaks at 8 weeks. It usually ends by 12 weeks of age. Parents may feel guilty and angry if they can't soothe their baby.
The controlled crying method involves taking the following steps. Step 1: Put them in their cot, sleepy but still awake. Step 2: Say goodnight and leave the room. Step 3: If your baby cries, leave them for two minutes before going back to let them know they're ok.
The rule of three is a writing principle that suggests that a trio of entities such as events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.
Since three is the smallest number of points required to create a pattern, information presented in threes forms a pattern which can be more easily remembered. As a result, information presented in a group of three is more memorable than that presented in groups of say, two or five.
If your child wakes up in the middle of the night, repeat this process to help them go back to sleep. On the second day, allow your baby to cry for five minutes initially, then 10 minutes, and then 12 minutes. On the third day, begin at 10 minutes, then 12 minutes, and then 15 minutes.
First, you may want to start with a simple deep breathing exercise called the 5-5-5 method. To do this, you breathe in for 5 seconds, hold your breath for 5 seconds, and then breathe out for 5 seconds. You can continue this process until your thoughts slow down or you notice some relief.
The strategy involves caregivers holding and walking with the baby for five minutes without abrupt movements, followed by 5-8 minutes of holding while sitting, before laying them down for sleep.
It's OK to let your baby cry if the baby doesn't seem sick and you've tried everything to soothe your baby. You can try to leave your baby alone in a safe place, such as a crib, for about 10 to 15 minutes. Many babies need to cry before they can fall asleep. And they'll nod off faster if you leave them to cry.
When the baby is given medication to treat symptoms of colic, it reinforces the idea that there is something wrong with the baby, when in fact, the baby is going through a very normal developmental phase. That is why we prefer to refer to this time as the Period of PURPLE Crying.
The witching hour is when your baby starts to get fussy and upset for no apparent reason at about the same time every day. This period of increased fussiness usually occurs in the late afternoon and early evening for most babies. The witching hour is also often called the period of purple crying.
Most newborns reach a crying peak at about 6 weeks. Then their crying starts to decrease. By 3 months, they usually only cry for about an hour a day. This is what is considered a “normal” crying pattern.
Origins of the PURPLE Crying Program
In fact, you might be surprised to learn that this stage is perfectly normal and even expected during the development of your infant. This stage, according to experts, can begin around two weeks of age and generally continue until your baby is about three to four months old.
Researchers have also found that babies who are regularly left to cry for long periods are likely to experience overactive adrenaline systems, which can lead to aggressive and impulsive behaviour.
Babies love to be held, touched and reassured that you're there, so settling in a cot on their own can often be difficult for them. Your baby's missing your touch and attention, and they're letting you know about it . From their very first hours of life, babies will cry when separated from their mothers.
Making a custody schedule for a toddler
Your custody schedule should give your toddler frequent contact with both parents and provide both parents opportunities to feed, bathe, play with, read to, arrange playdates for, and put the toddler to sleep. Toddlers can be away from either parent for 2 or 3 days.