It's 7:00 pm one night and your 2 week old newborn baby starts crying - and crying and crying. You try everything you can but nothing seems to calm your baby down. Your baby's cries intensify as your frustration increases. Your feelings of helplessness escalates as you can't figure out the cause of the crying and therefore cannot alleviate your baby's pain. You both are in tears. The next night it happens again; and the night after that. Could this be colic?
Could your baby have colic?. Unfortunately no one completely understand what colic is so it is hard to diagnose and alleviate. There are a few standard assumptions though. One, assume that your baby's tummy hurts. Second, assume that your baby as a whole is upset as a result of the tummy pain. Colic is often the term used for crying for an undetermined reason in babies who are otherwise healthy and thriving.
If you want to know whether your baby is colicky, there are some symptoms that pediatricians agree could be colic. They are called the "Rule of Threes" and consist of the following. The crying episodes begin within the first 3 weeks of life. The crying episodes last for a least 3 hours a day. The crying episodes occur at least 3 times each week. The crying episodes continue for at least 3 weeks. The crying episodes don't typically last longer than 3 months.
How to cope with colic. If you have a colicky baby, there are some things you can try to console your baby and alleviate his or her pain (and yours!) Try giving your baby probiotics. Probiotics may help reduce colic symptoms, as babies with colic have different intestinal microflora than those babies who do not have colic. Fill a hot water bottle with warm water and wrap it in a towel. Place the hot water bottle on your tummy and place your baby on top of you. Some babies like the feeling of warm water on their tummy. Give your baby a gentle massage. Many babies enjoy hearing similar sounds as they did in the womb so your baby might be comforted by hearing a heartbeat or whooshing noises. Play a soothing waterfall CD or place the baby next to a clothes dryer that is running. Try soothing your babies using a gentle motion. You can use a stroller, a baby swing or a rocker. Go for a drive with your baby. Sometimes the noise, vibration and movement can be one of the best remedies for colic. It gives you a change of scenery as well. Trying changing the atmosphere by going outside. Take your baby to the park or out to the mall. The new smells, sounds and sights surrounding your baby may be enough to distract him or her. Or if you've been out for a few hours, come home and have some quite time with your baby.
Swaddle your baby. Your baby was very snug before birth and it might to make him or her feel safe when cuddled snuggly in a blanket. Try swaddling before your baby's usual colicky time. Try holding and cuddling your baby in different positions, such as upright or across your lap on his or her tummy. Give your baby a warm bath during a crying episode. Some babies even like the feel of a spray on his or her back or tummy. The sound of running water may even soothe your colicky baby. Offer your baby a pacifier, even if you are against it. During a colic episode, you are trying to do anything to console your baby. Colicky babies tend to suffer from gassiness because of all the air they swallow during crying. Do what you can to ease your baby's gassy tummy.