As a new parent, you expect to be up most nights to either feed or change your baby during their first few months of life. But what do you do when your baby seems to cry for no reason? And why does this behavior occur roughly at the same time each day? You tried everything but nothing seems to help calm your baby.
Is This Colic?
Dr. Morris Wessel, an American pediatrician, conducted a breakthrough study on excessively fussy children, also known as the “Rule of 3’s”. Wessel’s criteria define a colicky infant as a baby who cried for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, and more than three weeks.
The baby might develop a crying pattern and will either cry during late afternoon or early evening, each day for several days a week. If you notice that your baby is crying for no apparent reason and their crying lasts for a prolonged period, then your baby might have colic.
What Are the Visible Symptoms of Colic?
An important note for parents is to remember that colic occurs as a combination of baffling behaviors in addition to crying. Some of the visible symptoms can be:
- Legs pulled up to the stomach
- Flushed face
- Clenched hands
- Wrinkled brow
When Does Colic End?
Colic can start a few weeks after birth and phase out by 10 to 12 weeks of age. Your baby can experience colic at its peak between four and six weeks of age. There can be cases where colic can last up to four or even six months but this is not very common.
Tips for Coping With Colic
There is no clear reason as to the cause of colic; however, the intensity can be quite disturbing for parents. It might seem like your baby is experiencing considerable pain, but that is not the case. Your little one is just going through a new phase where they are experiencing a different kind of feeling, which is most likely caused by some level of pain or discomfort.
Here are a few tips you can use to relieve your baby’s crying:
- Physical contact: Holding your baby is one of the most effective remedies. Providing extra skin to skin contact gives your baby the feeling of security and the pleasure of physical contact as a result of being close to you. Your baby might not realize it at first, but gradually they find themselves in their favorite place: in a cuddle between their mother’s arms.
- Calming sounds: Quiet calming sounds like a lullaby or soft classical music might help calm the baby down. Some infants like white noise like that of a fan, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, hair dryer, or dishwasher. Repeating “shh” or “ahh” to your little one can also help. You can experiment with different sounds to find the one (if any) that has a positive effect on your baby.
- Burp it out: Hold the baby upright and rub the back and stomach area to help them release excessive air. Ensure you burp your newborn after each feeding by holding them close to your chest with their head at shoulder-height and gently tapping their back. You can also do mini bounces that also help with the burping action.
- Tiny Buddha: Hold your baby and try to bring your baby’s legs closer to their abdomen, like a sitting Buddha, while gently rocking them up and down.
- Change of scenery: Change in environment might help relieve your baby’s crying. You can take your baby outside for a walk or go for a drive. Even going back and forth from one room to another might do the trick. That will divert their focus away from the discomfort they feel as they get busy looking at the new surroundings during the car ride.
- Warm belly: Place a warm baby towel or a lukewarm water bottle on your baby’s belly which will provide a soothing effect to your baby and the warmth will help your baby calm down.
- Tummy massage: Gently rub your baby’s stomach in a clockwise motion to help move gas along the intestinal tract. Continue this process for at least two minutes or until your baby shows signs of improvement.
- Baby on your lap: Lay your baby’s tummy-down on your thighs (just above the knees) and gently raise your legs repeatedly to massage your baby’s abdominal area.
Colic can be a difficult and exhausting time for parents, but keep in mind that colic is not a disease. It will phase out as your baby matures and develops their senses.
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