What is colic in babies?
Colic is a word that is used to describe a condition in which a healthy baby cries for more than three hours per day, and for more than three days per week for a period of three or more weeks, and it is hard to console or comfort the baby. It is most common during the first six weeks of life. Colic usually goes away on its own when the baby reaches 3 to 4 months. Colic often begins suddenly and is associated with loud and mostly nonstop crying. Babies with colic are often fussy and do not sleep well which can be very stressful and draining for parents.
What causes colic in babies?
The cause of colic is not well understood. Some experts suggest that it happens because of neurological immaturity or acclimation to the world outside the womb which makes babies irritable for a short period of time. Other experts suggest that it may be caused by digestive problems, sensitivity to formula, or the diet of the nursing mother.
What are symptoms of colic in babies?
Crying and fussing is normal in babies, however babies with colic cry more than most babies. These babies are usually healthy and there is no obvious cause for the fussiness and crying such as a wet diaper, hunger and other common causes of pain and irritation in babies. In fact, babies with colic are otherwise healthy.
Features that are common in children with colic are:
Inconsolable crying without reason
Crying at the same time each day (most commonly at night)
Clenching their fists and curling their legs
Crying like they are in pain
Extreme fussiness/ irritability even after the crying has stopped
Large and distended stomach relieved by passing gas (this is due to the air they swallow from the prolonged crying).
How is colic diagnosed?
Most parents may visit the doctor to try and establish the cause of the fussiness and crying. The doctor may make the diagnosis of colic based on the symptoms of the baby and after excluding other possible medical conditions. However, there are no special tests that can confirm the diagnosis of colic. Colic is not a serious medical condition and will not need any medical intervention.
How is colic treated?
Although there is no medical cure for colic, the following can be done to assist:
make sure that the baby is not hungry and that the nappy is not wet
walk or rock the baby (motion often helps to soothe and calm)
reduce sensory stimulation (noise and bright light may increase irritability)
use a pacifier
swaddle the baby.
The most important way to manage colic is to soothe and calm the baby.
When to seek medical attention
Although colic is a common condition that is not life threatening, it is important to look out for some symptoms that may point to a more serious condition. Also, if most of the remedies do not seem to help, you can visit a doctor for a second opinion in order to rule out other serious medical conditions.
Immediately seek medical attention if you see the following symptoms in your baby:
high temperature/ fever
not feeding well
diarrhea and vomiting
weight loss or stagnant weight (not gaining weight)
crying for more than two hours
seems lethargy and floppy
Tips for parents on coping with colic
Dealing with a baby that has colic can be frustrating, heartbreaking, anxiety-provoking and physically and mentally exhausting. It may seem like nothing you do is helping and you may begin to question your ability to take care of your baby.
Try the following tips to help you cope:
Get emotional and other support from friends and family. This ensures that you do not burn out.
Get as much sleep and rest as possible when the baby is sleeping to ensure that you are able to handle the periods when the baby gets fussy.
Tune out. Once you have done everything possible and have ensured that the baby is not hungry or that the nappy is not soiled, allow yourself to tune out of the crying.
Seek medical attention if the fussiness affects your mental health significantly and leads to ideas about harming yourself or the child. Postpartum depression may be triggered by the crying.
Be kind to yourself. It may seem like you are not a good enough parent if you cannot seem to console your baby, but remember this is not in any way a reflection of your parenting capabilities and most parents struggle with dealing with a bay with colic.
Important: no matter how frustrated you get, avoid shaking your baby as this can lead to shaken baby syndrome ( a serious brain injury that results from forcefully shaking a baby).
Take home message
Colic is a normal condition in babies that does not need medical attention. However, look out for the danger signs and seek medical attention if in doubt. Remember to take care of yourself too because nursing a baby with colic can take a huge strain on the parent.
This article is written by Dr Itumeleng Buti MBChB ( Pret)
References
1. Pampers. Colic in Babies: Symptoms and Remedies. [Internet]. Pampers staff. [Updated 2020 October 22; Cited 2022 February 09] Available from: https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/newborn/article/what-is-colic-symptoms-and-remedies.
2. John Hopkins Medicine. Conditions and Diseases: Colic.[Internet] John Hopkins university. [Cited 2022 February 2022] Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/colic.
3. HeathlineMedia. Parenthood: Colic and crying. [Internet] Euna Chi; [ Update 2020 February 27; Cited 2022 February 09] Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/colic-and-crying.
4. Nemours Kids Health. For Parents: Colic. [Internet] Michelle M Karten; [Updated 2019 November; Cited 2022 February 09] Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/colic.html
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