Colic

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By Vicki Thrasher Cronin
Licensed Parent Educator, Pre-K Teacher

Colicky Baby is a label that jumps into parent consciousness -- newborns fuss – a lot.  Babies do fuss a lot; it’s how they let you know that they need you.  When all is well in baby’s world, they sleep or coo a smile to let you know how wonderful it is in their world. Crying and fussing is the other side of the coin; “something is not right with my world, and you need to fix it!”

What is the difference between colic and fussing?  For the first several weeks after your baby’s arrival, expect him to sleep 18 to 20 hours a day with short spells of wakefulness injected every three to four hours to take care of business (eating, pooping and falling in love with you).  Over the next several months you can expect that your newborn will gradually settle into his unique schedule with sleep periods stretching from four to six hours at a time.  It is during this period, after the first several weeks, that fussy baby and colicky baby labels begin to differentiate.

Colicky babies scream and screech to let you know that they are in pain.  Colic comes from Greek, meaning “suffering in the colon.”  The diagnosis of colic is an effort to describe the hurt, pain and suffering experienced by the newborn during the first three months of life.  Fussy babies, in contrast, may be fussy, a lot, but can be soothed.  A fussy baby may be “high needs” and prefer to be held and require a lot of your attention to stay comforted, but they can be comforted.  Babies with colic may clinch their fists, flinch, and pull up their legs prior or during the scream that is designed to tell you in no uncertain terms that “I am in pain.”

Knowing the definition of colic, however, may well not relieve your distress about your baby’s crying.  It is always a good idea to check out your concerns with your doctor to eliminate any other medical condition.  Here are a few tips to remember about colic from familydoctor.org:

• You didn’t cause the colic, so try not to feel guilty.
• Colic almost always goes away by three months of age.It should go away by the time your baby is six months old.
• You can try many things to soothe your baby.
• Giving your baby extra attention won’t “spoil” him or her.
• Just because your baby has colic doesn’t mean he or she is unhealthy.

 Familydoctor.org also provides these tips on soothing your baby:

• Feed your baby in an upright position.
• Burp your baby often.
• If you are breastfeeding, try making small changes in your own diet.Try to limit spicy foods, citrus fruits or caffeine.
• Rock your baby in a rocking chair or cradle.
• Put your baby in a wind-up swing (make sure your baby can support his or her head).
• Give your baby a warm bath.
• Give your baby a pacifier.
• Gently rub your baby’s stomach.
• Wrap or swaddle your baby in a soft blanket.
• Put your baby in a stroller and go for a walk.
• Go for a drive with your baby in the car seat.

Keeping a journal of your baby’s day will help you learn to predict this difficult period of the day.  When you can predict, you can prepare yourself and have a plan for comforting your baby through this daily spell.  Parents need to have someone to call on for support or as a “sub” so that you can take the time necessary to emotionally refuel.  Your baby needs your love and patience, and it may take several adults to keep you up to par during this taxing time!  Call in all the troops.

One day, sooner than you think, this colic will have passed and you will be looking into the starry eyes of your infant wondering what that was all about!

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