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Newborn Issues
: Colic and the Newborn
Bouts of persistent crying occur in all newborns from time to
time, and for a variety of reasons. Babies who have regular bouts
of intense crying, however, may be diagnosed with colic. Colic
is defined as continual or persistent crying without any apparent
reason, typically lasting between 2 and 4 hours a day for at least
5 days a week. It usually begins at around 2 or 3 weeks of age,
and subsides on its own by 12 weeks. Colic is not uncommon - it's
estimated that as many as 1 in 5 babies have this condition.
What are the symptoms of colic?
Babies with colic have prolonged bouts of intense, high-pitched
crying. Some infants draw their legs up and clench their fists,
as if in pain. Spells of crying tend to occur at around the same
time each day, often in the early evening. Babies with colic may
be inconsolable; nothing their parents do seems to soothe them.
In spite of persistent crying, these babies do not have any apparent
symptoms of illness.
If bouts of crying are accompanied by vomiting, abdominal bloating,
fever, or other signs of unwellness, it should be reported to
a doctor immediately.
Is colic a serious condition?
Parents of a colicky baby may be relieved to find out that, however
alarming the bouts of crying are, colic itself is not a serious
condition. Though they may appear to be in distress, babies with
colic are usually in good health. Their growth and development
tends to thrive much the same as other healthy babies. It should
be certain, however, that the child does not suffer from any other
medical conditions which could be producing colic-like symptoms.
A baby who has regular bouts of persistent crying should be examined
by a pediatrician to rule out any possible medical problems, and
to confirm that the baby's health and development are normal.
Although colic is not a serious medical problem, it can cause
a great deal of stress and anxiety within the family. Excessive
crying can wear on everybody's nerves, and can lead to feelings
of parental inadequacy and constant worrying about the child's
health. This kind of anxiety isn't good for either the parents
or the baby. Colic is neither the parents' nor the baby's fault.
Parents who are feeling stressed or burned out should seek relief
for themselves whenever possible. They should leave the baby in
the hands of a competent babysitter, and take time out for a movie,
a dinner out, or just a few hours of quiet relaxation. Taking
frequent breaks can go a long way towards helping parents cope
with their baby's colic with patience, perseverance, and a sense
of humour.
Is there a cure for colic?
There is no cure for colic at the present. Fortunately colic disappears
on its own, usually by about 3 months of age. However, there are
ways in which you may be able to minimize bouts of colic - for
tips on how to comfort and calm a crying baby, please see Coping
With Crying.
What causes colic?
The exact underlying cause of colic is not fully understood. One
theory is that colicky babies cry because of discomfort caused
by abdominal gas. Burping your baby during and after feedings
may help relieve gas, and minimize bouts of colic. As well, using
baby bottles designed to reduce air intake may be helpful for
bottle-fed babies. Breastfeeding mothers may find it helps to
avoid foods such as broccoli and cauliflower if they seem to cause
gas in their babies. Any change in a breastfeeding mother's diet
should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.
Another theory is that colic is caused by an immature central
nervous system. Because their nervous systems aren't fully developed,
some babies may be hypersensitive to stimuli (such as noise, light,
etc.) that older children and adults are able to tune out. At
the end of the day, these babies may be more prone to feeling
wound up and stressed out, which results in long periods of crying.
Keeping a calm environment may help minimize colic in some babies.
Parental anxiety may also contribute to colic. Babies can sense
a parent's stress and may become anxious themselves, resulting
in crying jags. It's important for both the parents' and the baby's
sake that stress is kept to a minimum, as much as possible.
In rare instances, colic in bottle-fed babies may be caused by
an allergy to cow's milk protein which is found in formulas. Though
most colicky babies are not allergic to cow's milk protein, sometimes
symptoms improve or even disappear when milk-based formulas are
removed from a baby's diet. If your doctor decides that your colicky
child may benefit by switching formulas, you can be confident
that your baby will be properly nourished from alternative non-milk-based
commercial formulas. Be sure to always consult your doctor before
making any changes to your baby's diet.
Other Newborn Issues
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The information provided in this site is
designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to
replace the advice and care of your child's physician, nor is
it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If
you suspect that your child has a medical condition, always
consult a physician.
© Autograph Communications Inc.,
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