Every mum I’ve known who has had a colicky baby (including one who has had four!), says it’s absolutely devastating listening to their little one cry nonstop for hours every day. And because often there’s no apparent reason for the colic, it can be very difficult to know what to do to stop the wailing.
There are lots of theories about what causes colic. They include:
Tummy trouble, possibly caused by difficulty processing lactose in formula
Reflux
Wind
Spasms in their growing digestive system
Overfeeding
Swallowing air while feeding.
The good news is that babies usually grow out of colic by 16 weeks, and it is not dangerous to their health.
See a doctor if your baby cries constantly, as there may be another cause for their colic-like symptoms.
However, if your baby does cry constantly, you should have them seen by a doctor as there may be another cause for their colic-like symptoms – which include drawing up their legs and clenching their fists, as well as persistent crying for several hours every day.
There are several things you can try that might help:
If you’re breastfeeding, avoid certain foods, such as caffeine, milk products, onions, cabbage, beans and broccoli
Change their formula to a different brand to see if that makes a difference
Burp your baby frequently during feeding
Don’t overfeed
Swaddle the baby firmly in a blanket
Walk around with the baby upright in a front carrier
Having a colicky baby can be very stressful and take a toll on you, so try to:
Be prepared for the time of day when the baby is likely to cry nonstop. Get dinner ready in advance, and bathe other children early
Accept any offers of help
Handle the baby gently and speak to them quietly to avoid stressing them further. Being in a room with soft music playing and dimmed lights may help
Keep in touch with your GP or Plunket nurse and let them know if you are struggling
If you have any concerns about your crying baby, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Images: Will Horner/ bauersyndication.com.au
