How to Tell if Your Baby has Colic
Since there are so many different theories on colic, and because there is no clear cause for colic, it is more helpful to describe what we do know and what colic refers to. Here is a guideline to show you how to tell if your baby has colic.
Doctors diagnose a baby as ‘colicky’ when the baby cries for hours at a time, and there is no clear reason for it. The definition of colic is crying for at least three hours a day, at least three times a week, and for at least three weeks straight.
Babies who have colic are between three weeks and three months old, and it is usually at its worst point when the baby is between 8 and 14 weeks old.
Babies with colic are otherwise healthy and doctors cannot find a medical reason for the crying. The baby is not in pain or hungry, and colic does not cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or blood in the stool.
TIP: This means that if you suspect your baby has colic, but he or she is showing these symptoms, you should check with a doctor immediately because there could be other reasons for the crying.
Colicky babies do show some typical behaviors when they cry: some will arch their back and tighten their stomach. They also clench their fists and pull up their legs or stiffen their legs.
If your baby is crying a lot, and you cannot find a reason for it, you might want to keep track of the times and duration of the crying to discuss it with your doctor. The doctor will do a physical exam, and ask you some questions to rule out any other causes for the crying.
Once you know it is colic, there are different approaches you can try that might help you.
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Although the medical community is still grappling with this issue – they still don’t know what causes colic in babies – we know a great deal about relieving colic pain and so doing, getting the crying to stop.. There are many relief techniques, the trick is in finding those that work and soothe your baby!!!.
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Click here to understand the difference between Acid Reflux and Infant Colic
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4 Responses to “How to Tell if Your Baby has Colic”
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We had a couple of babies whose incessant crying was often ceased simply by standing and rocking them in front of some white noise. Our kitchen fan, with its rhythmic, loud swishing noise, which I’ve been told simulates the sounds of the womb, often calmed our fussiest bundle of joy relatively quickly. It is one tip I share often with many new parents. And the other tip? Don’t dispair, this too will end.
Javamom,
thanks for your comment. I have a question for you: did you find that swaddling your colicky/crying baby was a help?
Hi, I always find it very interesting that the age at which the colics are worst is the same time that Babys learn to “accept” that they have to use their nappy.
I have one baby who always peed and pooped as soon as the nappy came off. He did show all the symptoms of a colic. I have one who didn’t mind whether there was a nappy or not, who didn’t have colics. And I have one who shows the same bahaviour as no1 if he does have a nappy ( he doesn’t like using it). This one has never had any signs of a colic, and he nearly never wears a nappy. He certainly never has to use it, I usually use it as a backup, when my concentration is elsewhere.
Has anybody experienced similar behaviours in relation to colics?
1000Sunny,
you are asking some interesting questions!
I have been fascinated with the “diaper free” movement (no pun intended) for a few years now, unfortunately *after* my 5 children passed through this stage of developement.
The question being: is there a possible connection between colic and diaper-wearing?
On one hand, I would tend to say no because of the sheer number of children in the industrial countries who wear diapers and do NOT have colic. But as you know, this is not an adequate answer for me!
I wonder if colic is a phenomena known in traditional family settings where diapers are unheard of? In India, for example? You have given me something to think about and search answers for.
Thanks for stopping by. Perhaps another reader has some insights for us here?