We’ve all heard of babies crying at irregular hours but that usually has a reason behind it. Does your baby cry incessantly despite them being fed, cleaned up and not be suffering from any obvious pain or illness? We must tell you, your baby could be Colic. 

Why Colic occurs or the reasons behind your baby being colic have still not been studied properly. But we have tried to discuss the phenomena and answer your questions in this blog as comprehensively as possible.

What Are The Causes of Colic?

Although there are no obvious causes of the situation, here are the most researched pointers to be causing this matter:

• An extra-sensitive baby.
• Some babies tend to become overwhelmed with the plethora of sights, sounds, and overall sensations around them; hence most colic cries begin during the evening after a full day of absorbing all these sensations. 
• Sometimes, experts believe, that the new mom’s stress and anxiety rub off on the little one and hence the intense crying sessions.
• Immature nervous system
• Acid reflux
• Mothers who smoke during pregnancy have a higher chance of giving birth to a colic baby.
• Breastfed babies may not like their mother’s diet patterns and formula-fed babies may not be liking/absorbing some of the ingredients.

Has your baby had their first stroll in the park yet? Buy all your Stroller Accessories by clicking on the link provided.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms of Colic?

Although once they begin, the symptoms will become too obvious not to notice but just for your information and if you’re missing out on some important piece of knowledge, we’ve narrowed the symptoms down for you:

•  Hard, almost angry, crying without any sign of calming down for hours. It gets harder during the evening; the baby’s face may end up turning red due to the pressure they’re putting into crying.
• The baby pulls their leg up as if in pain; this could be due to their abdominal area full of gases which now he either passes or which cause him pain
• Babies can be extra sensitive and agitated and hard to soothe or quiet down.
• Colic babies are usually gassy. This isn’t a cause of colic but rather an effect as the baby may be absorbing too much air during their loud crying periods.

If the following symptoms occur, you need to contact the doctor instead of ruling it out as Colic because they’re NOT symptoms of colic:

• Mucus/Bloody Stools
• Vomiting
• Decrease in Appetite
• Fever
• Pale Skin

Does Colic Continue Into Adulthood?

The answer is simple, no. Colic babies start showing the symptoms 2-4 weeks after being born. It refers to 3 or more hours of crying for more than 3 days a week. It gets more intense during the 3-4 month period and lowers down and disappears by the 6th month after birth.  

Studies show that colic babies grow up to become motivated high-achievers who become successful due to their persistent nature. So, there actually might be some great advantages to being colic.

Difference Between Colic and Normal Crying

Only because your baby cries doesn’t mean you get to label them as colic. Maybe they really have issues they’re trying to inform you of. The following are a few points of comparison that distinguish between normal and colic babies. 

Normal Babies:

• No specific time to cry.
• Cries to get a particular need fulfilled (e.g. feeding, diaper change, sleeping, etc)
• Can be soothed with cuddles and swaddling
• Might seem too serious at times but calms down with ease.

Colic Babies

•  Inconsolable and painful cries
• Peek in the evenings
• Cries are mostly untriggered
• Calms down in very specific circumstances

Is your baby colic or is he just ill? Have you checked? Make sure you have all the necessary Health Care items you need to check-up on your baby.

Colic Treatment: What Can You Do To Soothe The Baby?

Some parents tend to become irritable or have breakdowns when their baby doesn’t seem to be quieting down – this is especially possible in the middle of attending an event when other babies seem calm and happy while yours can’t stop crying.  It can be an extremely nerve-racking experience. Try out a few of the soothing techniques given to calm the baby down:

Recreate The Womb

Sometimes, babies like to be taken back to the time they were in your womb because it’s more familiar and hence, soothing. Try to create an environment where the baby feels like they’re back in there; play hummed, white noises, put him in a baby carrier while you move around as he’s used to the prior movements of you doing yoga, exercise, and any other tasks and being rocked in such patterns can soothe his nerves.

One of the best ways to be closer to the baby and calm them down is by using Baby Carriers

Provide a Massage

As discussed, the baby can become gassy due to all the air they’ve been swallowing so lay them upside down on your lap and massage their back so as to get rid of all the pent-up gas that’s collected in his stomach.

Reduce Noise

Try to lessen noise and other sense stimulations. Darken the room, close the doors and windows so the baby doesn’t hear any external noises, speak with the baby in soft voices and hum poems and songs to him.

Swaddle

Sometimes, babies like being wrapped tightly so do that and make sure you’re rocking him all the while to make him feel more at ease.

Provide Warmth

Give the baby a warm, but not hot, bath and put a warm towel or wash-cloth on his tummy to make him feel more at ease.

Buy high-quality Hats and Gloves for the little one to feel the warmth they need.

Provide Space to Cry-It-Out

If nothing else works, give the baby time and space to cry it out. If you did your best, there is no need to feel guilty. Give your own self some space too in the meantime. 

When To Contact The Doctor?

Sometimes, the intense and painful cries mean your baby has an underlying issue you haven’t had a check-up for. This will be a good time to schedule a checkup with your baby’s pediatrician to rule out risks for any diseases. This also helps you to discuss coping strategies with a professional. These problems can include intestinal blockage, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), hernia, etc. 

Important Note: Stay Calm

It can be extremely difficult to take care of a colicky baby – some parents even report to have gone to therapy because of it. But remember, it’s a temporary period. Do not at any cost blame yourself or your baby for the situation. You didn’t cause this, and the little one doesn’t exactly know what they’re feeling let alone express it in front of you. Be gentle with the baby, don’t shake him or scream at him. These responses can cause harm to the baby, physically as well as psychologically. Shaking the baby can imply force on the brain’s nerves and cause internal bleeding which can even result in death. Just try to be as patient as possible. Don’t express your irritation or frustration in front of the baby or by punishing him in any way. 

Make up a schedule with your partner for which one of you will take care of the baby and when so that the responsibility falls on both of you and only one of you doesn’t have to deal with the stress and pressure.

Taking care of a baby is not an easy job, but you don’t have to make it harder either. For more information on maternity and to buy all your necessary baby products, visit Little Angel Baby Clothes.