Colic is when a healthy baby cries for a very long time, for no obvious reason. It is most common during the first 6 weeks of life. It usually goes away on its own by age 3 to 4 months. Up to 1 in 4 new-born babies may have it.
We have the anti-colic range of Philips Avent products that you can use. For instance, the Anti-colic bottle is designed to keep air away from your baby’s tummy to reduce colic and discomfort, while also minimizing feeding interruptions. With its integrated anti-colic valve, air is vented away from the baby’s tummy. Clinically proven to reduce colic and discomfort that are linked to feeding issues. So babies get the nutrients needed for healthy development.
Colic is defined as when a baby’s crying:
- Lasts for more than 3 hours a day
- Happens more than 3 days a week
- Occurs for more than 3 weeks
Colic often begins suddenly, with loud and mostly nonstop crying. This constant, extreme crying can be very stressful and difficult for parents.
Babies with colic are often fussy, gassy, and don’t sleep well. But in most cases they grow and gain weight normally.
Colic will go away on its own. This often happens by age 3 months, and in most cases by age 6 months.
What causes colic?
Experts don’t know for sure what causes colic. There are a few theories about why it happens. Colic may occur when babies:
- Are sensitive and have trouble adjusting to the world. After birth, newborns must get used to lights, loud noises, and other new things around them. But babies have different personalities (temperaments). Some infants can handle these things well. Other babies don’t adapt as easily. Crying may be one way for a baby to show his or her feelings while getting used to the world.
- Are unable to calm themselves. Some babies seem very sensitive to stimulation. They can’t calm themselves (self-soothe). Their nervous system is still developing (is immature). As babies get a little older, they are better able to control their nervous system. As this happens, colic goes away.
Which children are at risk for colic?
All families are at risk for having a baby with colic. Any baby can become colicky.
What are the symptoms of colic?
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.
Babies who have colic may show symptoms such as:
- Burping often or passing a lot of gas. This is likely because of swallowing air while crying. It doesn’t cause colic.
- Having a bright red (flushed) face
- Having a tight belly
- Curling up their legs toward their belly when crying
- Clenching their fists when crying
- The symptoms of colic can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?
Before assuming your child has colic, look for other signs of illness. These may include:
- Not sucking or drinking a bottle well
- Drinking less milk than usual
- Vomiting
- Having loose stool (diarrhea)
- Becoming more irritable when held or touched
- Having a strange-sounding cry
- Having a change in breathing rate or using extra effort to breathe
- Being more sleepy or sluggish than normal
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your child’s healthcare provider
Call your child’s healthcare provider if you see any of these symptoms. Also call if your baby is crying too much. Your child’s provider will give your baby an exam. This is to make sure that there are no other health problems causing your baby’s symptoms.
Who we are: Harley’s Limited is one of East Africa’s most respected Pharmaceutical, Medical, OTC products, and healthcare service providers.
Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine (2022). Retrieved 16 March 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/colic
