Infant Colic

Colic is unexplained excessive crying in young infants. There is a great deal of rumbling in the stomach and belching. In between the crying spells, the baby acts fine. Crying begins at 2 to 4 weeks and lasts through 3 to 4 months.

Symptoms of Infant Colic include:

• Excessive crying in young infants
• Rumbling in the stomach and belching
• The attacks range from fussiness to agonising screams and usually occur late in the afternoons or in the evening.

See a doctor if:

• Your baby seems to be in pain or is sick
• Your baby has been crying constantly for more than 3 hours
• Your baby develops a temperature over 37ºC if he/she is less than 6 months old

When trying to comfort a crying baby, use soothing gentle motions such as rocking in a rocking chair or cradle, putting the baby in a wind-up swing, or carrying the baby in a front-pack.

Other care tips include:

• Burp your baby after each ounce of formula. If you are breastfeeding, burp your baby every 5 minutes. Always hold your baby while feeding and allow at least 20 minutes for feeding.
• Do not feed your baby every time he or she cries. Wait at least 2 hours between feedings. Check to see if the baby was in a cramped position, is too hot or cold, has a soiled diaper or an open diaper pin, or needs to be cuddled.
• When trying to comfort a crying baby, use soothing gentle motions such as rocking in a rocking chair or cradle, putting the baby in a wind-up swing, or carrying the baby in a front-pack.
• When your baby is having an attack of gas, hold him or her securely and gently massage the lower part of the stomach. You may also apply a heating pad that is set on low or a warm water bottle to the stomach. Be very careful not to burn the baby. Do not lay the baby on the heating pad.
• Try not to let your baby sleep more than 3 hours at a time during the day.
• If your baby is still crying after more than 20 minutes of gentle motion, let the baby cry himself or herself to sleep.
• Ask your spouse, a friend, or a relative for help with child care and household chores. Ask someone to care for the baby or hire a babysitter so that you have a chance to get out of the house, even if it is only for an hour or two to relieve the stress cumulated by the unexplained excessive crying by the baby.