Frequently Asked Questions About Colic In Newborns
Your baby is screaming and crying again and you are a nervous wreck. You just don’t know what to do! Everyone says it’s just a case of infant colic and it will go away in a few weeks. But the baby is hurting and you need to find something that will help stop the pain and let you and the baby get some sleep.
Like most parents with colicky babies, you have lots of questions. But you may be unsure as to who to ask or too embarrassed to talk about certain things. This article will seek to answer the most common of these questions in order to help you and your family cope with this troubling condition.
Causes of Colic in Infants
No one is really sure as to what is the primary cause of colic in newborns. The most common theory is that an infant has an immature digestive system that may have issues adjusting to life outside the womb.
It doesn’t matter if a colic infant is breast-fed or uses a bottle, the symptoms of this distressing but harmless condition can occur in 20-50% of all newborns. Signs of colic in newborns can appear as early as 2 weeks and last as long as 3 to 4 months.
Colic Infant Questions and Answers
Q: What are some of the symptoms of colic in newborns?
A: A colic infant is diagnosed by having uncontrollable and excessive crying episodes that last at long as 2-3 hours for 3 or 4 days a week. Other signals can be a red or flushed face, clenched hands, drawn up legs and a gassy or bloated belly.
Q: What is the difference between colic in an infant and infant reflux?
A: A colic infant has some of the same symptoms as a baby suffering from the more serious problem of acid reflux. Infant acid reflux occurs when foods or liquids (mixed with stomach acid) travel backwards up the esophagus and throat, irritating the lining. This can cause a baby to vomit frequently, have difficulty in swallowing and suffer respiratory problems.
Colic in newborns on the other hand, while distressing to both baby and parent is basically benign, and is most often linked to trapped gas or digestive upsets. A colicky episode ends once a child passes gas or a stool or becomes fatigue while infant reflux symptoms can worsen over time.
Q: What can I do to help my colic infant?
A: The best thing you can do is remain calm and rational. Babies get colic and cry; that’s their job. Your job as a parent is to learn how to cope with colic in your newborn without over stressing and panicking. Next you can try rubbing and massaging your baby’s tummy several times a day.
By gently rubbing their belly in a clockwise motion, you help break down trapped gas bubbles and relieve any painful bloating. Another tip you could try is to change the formula from a cow’s milk base to something else, if your child seems lactose intolerant. Or hold the baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding (let gravity help them hold down their food).
Now that you know a bit more about your colic infant, you can take the steps you need to handle this worrying condition without losing any more sleep than necessary.
