Colic

All babies cry it's one of the main ways they manifest. It is believed to affect nearly 25% of babies who exhibit uncontrollable crying over three hours a day and at least three days a week. If your baby cries about the same time each day and nothing you do seems to assuage him or her, your baby may have colic. Occassionally they stretch out their arms and legs and stiffen, then draw up again. With about 4 million babies born every year in the United States, this means that about a million babies, and everyone around them, are affected negatively by what appears to be disconsolate crying. However, health professionals generally diagnose colic when a baby is differently healthy but for more than 3 weeks cries more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, and with greater intensity than is typical for the age.

Colic may become worse when the baby is lying down, thence, symptoms will often improve if it is walked around. It may also help to lay the baby over your lap on its potbelly and rub its back. Be sure to belch the baby properly after feedings. Though colic can be mighty distressing for both you and your child, you can take comfort in the fact that it's not permanent. In fact, in a concern of weeks, when your baby is happier and sleeping better, you'll have weathered one of the first major challenges of parenthood.

The generic tag of colic is defined by it's symptoms rather than a particular cause. Colic generally starts a few weeks after birth, peaks at about 6 weeks of age and frequently improves labelled by your baby's third to fifth month. The fact that it is so common is little solace for parents faced with a baby who is crying, fussing, irritable for no apparent reason, and who cannot be settled. Colic is perfectly normal, and does not mean there is anything erroneous with either baby or parents. A baby having colic may cry in bouts or may cry almost all of the time.

When your baby cries, he or she may swallow air. Even though it is a comaparatively short time period in your baby's life, that three or four months will seem like years to the parents who have to "deal" with their baby screaming. By viewing your baby as "hurting" instead of "crying," you're more pronly to be empathetic, like you would a baby who was hurting because of an ear infection, rather than viewing crying as an annoying tool babies use to manipulate their parents into holding them a lot, which tops the list of colic myths.

Causes of Colic

The common Causes of Colic :

• An immature digestive system which causes unhabitually strong intestinal contractions.
• Increased intestinal gas.
• Maternal anxiety.
• Babies can swallow air bubbles when they feed, that can become trapped in the intestines and cause pain.
• Differences in the way your baby is fed or comforted.
• The diet of mothers who breast-feed.
• It is not caused by a milk allergy.
• The digestive system of babies is immature and some research confirms that stomach cramps can develop while milk passes through the intestines.

Symptoms of Colic

Some Symptoms of Colic :

• Though the crying can happen at any time, mainly colicky babies cry more in the late afternoon or evening.  
• Difficulty falling and staying asleep.
• Some babies refuse to eat or become fussy soon after eating.  
• A sick baby will have a poor appetite and will probably drink less milk.
• Feet may be cold .
• Baby's face gets red.
• A colicky baby is usually fine when held.
• Belch or spit up excessively after feeding, which may relieve symptoms
• A baby who vomits is sick and does not have colic.
• If your baby will not stop crying, look for symptoms of illness, hunger, and wetness.

Treatment of Colic

• Your pharmacist can prescribe you on medicines which may help colic, such as lactase (a food supplement), and simeticone (an anti-flatulent)
• Make sure your baby doesn't swallow air when feeding by sitting them upright
• If you are breastfeeding, avoid drinking too much coffee, tea or soft drinks that are high in caffeine, and also avoid too much alcohol or spicy food
• Lay him across your lap and rub or pat his back.
• If he is still crying after 15 minutes in his crib, pick him up and try soothing him again (see ideas above).
• If your baby has colic, picking him up to comfort him will not spoil him.
• Anti-gas drops are not usually helpful. One that is commonly used and can be bought at the store is simethicone (Mylicon). It can be given by mouth every 4 hours, not more than 4 times in 24 hours. Maximum dose is 0.6 cc. Use the dropper that comes with the bottle.
• Put him in a front pack or pouch close to your body.
• Betimes, a pacifier will help. Do not rely only on the pacifier, although. Your baby requires your comfort and personal touch the most.