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. Some colicky babies also have gas because they swallow so much air while crying.
Digestive system that isn't fully developed. Imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. Food allergies or intolerances. Overfeeding, underfeeding or infrequent burping.
Colic is thought to be due to swallowed air, so holding the baby in an upright position when feeding may help to reduce the amount of air swallowed. If the baby is bottle-fed, a fast-flow teat will help to reduce the amount of swallowed air by allowing milk to flow freely when the baby sucks the teat.
Even though they may cry a great deal, colic is neither dangerous nor harmful. Experts say that colic has no long-term effects and an infant with colic will gain weight and feed normally. Colic is relatively short-lived.
A healthy baby may have colic if he or she cries or is fussy for several hours a day, for no obvious reason. Colicky babies often cry from 6 p.m. to midnight. Colicky crying is louder, more high-pitched, and more urgent sounding than regular crying. Colicky babies can be very hard to calm down.
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 is a very common condition affecting 1 in 5 babies, regardless of whether they're breast or formula-fed.
Give Them a Burp
A crying baby can gulp down a lot of air. That can make them gassy and bloated -- and make their crying worse. Burp them with gentle thumps on their back. The classic position -- with the baby's head over your shoulder -- works, but can leave a trail of spit-up down your back.
Who Gets Colic? Colic most often starts when a baby is about 2–5 weeks old and gets better by the time the baby is 3–4 months old. Any baby can have colic.
Colic may be painful with the pain lasting up to five hours, and even after the pain subsides, some patients may feel residual aches for up to 24 hours. These painful episodes may occur regularly if the patient does not get any treatment.
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. Take a stress break.
As mentioned above, overfeeding, underfeeding, and feeding inappropriate foods can cause colic.
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.
Some studies have shown that when the mothers of infants who were being breastfed abstained from milk and other dairy products, the incidence of colic in their babies dropped sharply.
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. There are many ways to soothe your baby.
Colic is a potentially life-threatening disease. If a horse displays moderate or severe symptoms they will need urgent veterinary attention and possibly referral to us, if this is an option.
Some colicky babies seem to want to eat all the time — and that might be because sucking is soothing, not because they're hungry. So if your child seems ravenous frequently and adequate feedings don't seem to satisfy him, a pacifier might help.
Excessive crying usually occurs at the same time every day: Although colic can happen at any time, day or night, most babies experience it later in the afternoon or at night, and it will usually happen at the same time on most days. Parents often refer to this as the “witching hour.”
Sucking is a great way to let your baby soothe their colic symptoms by themselves. Sucking is more than just a survival instinct, it provides comfort and it helps reduce cortisol in the brain, which is the stress hormone. It relaxes a baby and helps them find some balance.
When babies cry without being hungry, overheated, or in pain, we call it "colic." About 10% of babies have colic. Although no one is certain what causes colic, these babies seem to want to be cuddled or to go to sleep.
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.