The most commonly accepted definition of colic, which originated in 1954,4 describes using the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for more than three weeks in an infant that is well-fed and otherwise healthy.
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 ...
Parenting a young child can be tough. The 3-3-3 rule is a mindfulness technique that's simple enough for young children and it asks them to name three things they can see, identify three sounds they can hear, and move three different parts of their bodies.
Colic — Colic is more than excessive "normal" crying, at least in some infants. Colic differs from "normal" in the following ways: The crying episodes generally last a total of more than three hours per day.
Symptoms of colic in babies
The crying spells can occur around the clock, although they often become worse in the early evening.
Change your baby's position: Sit them up if they have been lying down, or hold them face-out if they have been facing your chest. Hold your baby near low, rhythmic noises, like the sound of the washing machine or a recording of a heartbeat. The steady hum of a fan or a white noise machine can also be soothing.
Colic usually starts when babies are about 3 weeks old. It gets worse when they are between 4 and 6 weeks old. Most of the time, colicky babies get better after they are 6 weeks old, and are completely fine by the time they are 12 weeks old.
Colic will go away. Most babies outgrow it by the time they are 3 to 4 months old. Just because your baby has colic doesn't mean they're unhealthy.
Colic goes away on its own, sometimes by age 3 months. In most cases it is gone by age 6 months.
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.
Based on their findings, the authors propose a method for soothing and promoting sleep in crying infants. They recommend that parents hold crying infants and walk with them for 5 min, followed by sitting and holding infants for another 5-8 min before putting them to bed.
First described in 1954, the original "Wessel's Rule of 3s" diagnostic criteria (symptoms lasting for 3 hours per day, 3 or more days per week, for 3 or more weeks, starting around 3 weeks of age), has undergone a transition in recent years.
Wessels rule on all events, if you miss an attempt, you're done with that event.
Let your baby cry—for a little while. If walking, rocking, singing, massaging, and the like don't seem to make a difference, put the baby in the crib for 10 to 15 minutes and see if he or she quiets alone. Sometimes a baby needs a little time alone—and you may need it, too.
One reason colicky babies can fuss more at night, he explains, is that serotonin levels peak in the evening. This imbalance, the theory goes, naturally resolves when babies start making melatonin, which relaxes intestinal muscles.
Colic symptoms
Crying often occurs at around the same time every day (usually in the late afternoon or early evening, but it can vary). Your baby seems to be crying for no reason (not because he has a dirty diaper or is hungry or tired).
Colic can stop gradually or suddenly, or flare up and down until it eventually disappears. Symptoms will usually pass within a few weeks (or months, in some cases)!
What Causes Colic? Doctors aren't sure what causes colic. It may be due to digestion problems or a sensitivity to something in the baby's formula or that a nursing mom is eating. Or it might be from a baby trying to get used to the sights and sounds of being out in the world.
These bouts of crying may last for three hours or more and occur mostly in the afternoons and evenings. The baby seems to be suffering from abdominal pain. Colic affects around one in three babies. Usually, cuddling or trying to soothe the baby's cries does not work.
The children with reported colic were significantly more likely (22%) to sleep less than recommended for their age (6 months to 5 years) and significantly more likely (14%) to have more frequent night awakenings than usual for their age (6 months to 5 years).
Though it can be tempting to place your baby on their stomach or side while sleeping in the crib, remember the only true safe sleeping position is flat on the back with no loose covers, pillows, or toys around. It's also always a good idea to talk to your baby's pediatrician regarding their colic symptoms.
Also, babies with colic may burp frequently or pass a significant amount of gas, but this is thought to be due to swallowing air while crying, and is not a cause of colic. The face may be flushed. The abdomen may be tense with legs drawn toward it.
You do not need to stop nursing. 1 Breastfeeding is not a cause of colic, and babies who take infant formula get colic, too. Switching to formula may not help and may even make the situation worse.