Colic in babies is a condition when a newborn baby starts crying uncontrollably for no specific reason. 

You may wonder, what's new if your newborn is crying? We know it is one of the most common ways for babies to communicate with their parents and express their hunger or any other requirement. However, when your baby cries continuously for three or more hours a day, it could be a matter of concern, and you should look for the signs of colic in babies.

You know, one out of four newborns is affected by colic! New parents may be unaware of colic symptoms, which could adversely affect the infant’s health. Read through the blog as we have all the important details you wish to know about colic in babies. 

Is Colic A Disease?  

Colic in babies is a clinical condition that cannot be defined as a specific disease. However, when a baby with no health complications starts crying for more than three hours a day or more than three days a week, a child specialist may share that the baby is colic. Mostly the reason behind colic in babies is not yet specific. The reason behind the continuous cry of an infant may be continuously due to hunger, pain, digestive issues or if the child was born prematurely. 

Being colic does not indicate that the infant has any major health complications. However, ignoring the cries is inadvisable, and you should consult a Paediatrician or Child Care Specialist as soon as possible. 

Symptoms Of Colic In Babies

The colic symptoms are likely to develop in babies around two weeks of birth, and the condition mostly fades away within three to four months. Colic babies grow to be normal kids, and you may notice no specific signs in the child after a year or two. However, there could be consequences for the crying baby if they are suffering from any health issues. The reason behind taking a colic child to a paediatrician is mostly to cross-check if there are any lingering health conditions that may require medical attention. 

Babies may be more colicky (when they are constantly crying) in the evenings if compared to the mornings and afternoons. The symptoms of the colic condition may start suddenly, and your baby goes from giggling to crying hysterically within minutes. Some unusual crying symptoms are signs of colic in babies: 

• Constantly crying for hours without any reason
• Toys, food or any distraction would not ease the child. 
• Crying along with clenched fists & stiff arms 
• Having an arched back 
• Turning red during the cry 
• Swollen or red-coloured eyes
• Tight or swollen belly 
• The child starts kicking their legs in the air  

Causes Of Colic in Babies

Though doctors are still finding a specific reason behind the fussiness of an infant, there are a number of reasons that could be denoted as a cause of constant crying in babies. 

• Issues in the digestive system
• Painful growth of muscles and bones 
• Gas or acid reflux 
• Hormonal imbalance could cause pain 
• Crankiness in babies
• Baby is sensitive to light & noise 
• Early start of childhood migraine
• Anger, fear or frustration 
• Underdeveloped nervous system
• Rashes or wet diapers 

These are some reasons that could affect the child and make them cry for hours until the problem is not solved. In most cases, when the child is finally silent, some triggers could also affect their peace, and you may notice increased symptoms of colic in babies.  

Related Triggers Of Colic In Babies: 

• Lactose intolerance 
• Poor burping 
• Overfeeding the baby 
• Premature birth 
• Smoking during pregnancy or near the infant 
• Problem in excretion 
• Unnoticed injury 

If you are a parent, it is important to check the causes and triggers that could make your baby colicky. Also, getting your baby tested for any allergies like lactose intolerance, gluten, rubber bottles etc., is very important as it would help in keeping the baby calm. 

When Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Help? 

In most cases, colic is not a serious concern, and you can try different methods, like playing or going for a walk, to calm the baby. However, immediately rush to a paediatrician if you notice any such issue: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Fever above 99.9˚F 
• Blood or mucus in stools 
• Loss of appetite 
  
  

How To Diagnose Colic?  

Doctors do not run any specific tests to diagnose colic children. However, they rely upon physical examination and focus on things like: 

• Checking the energy level of kids 
• Matching the skin tone, as skin must not look pale
• Shallow breathing or if the infant has any breathing trouble 
• Measuring the weight of the child and comparing it with the last one. 
• Checking the body temperature in case there is a fever. 

Once doctors have examined the child properly, it is easy to diagnose whether it is a colic condition or if there are any underlying diseases impacting the baby's health. Thus, this helps in proceeding toward the further treatment required. 

Possible Remedies And Treatments For Colic 

The best way to keep your child calm is to hold the baby as often as possible. Holding the newborn would make them less fussy and reduce the chance of crying. You can also stroll or swing the baby while they are hysterically crying. In case of bloating, you can gently rub the abdomen area as this would soothe the intestinal flow. Apart from this, feeding the child, removing any food that could have a gastric reaction, helping your child burp and using moisturisers if the baby's skin is rough or itchy would help. Following such methods would reduce the chance of crying in colic babies. 

Colic can be treated with simple remedies until your paediatrician does not detect any other disease. We suggest using gentle and organic products for babies that are delicate on your child's body. At O’ Mumsie, we offer an array of natural products for moms and babies that includes skin care products, soaps, headache soother for moms, sore muscle rub etc. With our authentic products, you can be assured your baby's skin is in proper care.