As a new parent, there are countless challenges that you will face in bringing up your baby. One of such challenges is knowing whether your baby is crying because they are hungry, tired, or simply cranky. However, when their cries seem endless and inconsolable long after feeding and changing them and everything else seems right on track - it could mean that you have a colicky baby at hand.
But what exactly does "colic" mean? How can one tell if their little bundle of joy has it? And what can be done about it?
In this informative article, we're here with answers!
First things first: What exactly is colic?
When parents hear the word 'colic', their eyes roll back as if to suggest the onset of doom-something about unending wailing fits feels akin to Mordor. But contrary to popular belief, colic isn't actually an illness or a disease. Instead, it's just another term for excessive crying in babies under 3 months old without any discernible cause (like hunger or dirty nappies).
Although its exact origins remain unknown, research suggests that digestive system discomfort might be responsible for most cases of colicky behaviour in babies-which sometimes requires more intense measures like dietary exclusions.
Determining Whether Your Baby Has Colic
Determining whether your baby has colic usually involves visiting the pediatrician, who'll examine the child carefully but perhaps not exhaustively from top-to-bottom (unless something appears critically wrong). That said; here are some signs which may require further investigation by your doctor:
Intense bouts of screaming
If you think you understand what loud means then clearly-no-you don't/because being around high-decibel shrieking coming from junior takes noise pollution to unparalleled heights/ resulting in ringing ears and headaches galore. So if your baby starts howling like a banshee for hours, days or weeks on end without any reasonable justification (like dirty diapers or hunger), then they might just have colic.
Stomach pain & diarrhoea
Let's be honest; both are unpleasant in their own distinctive ways/nobody wants to talk about it, but I'm afraid that when you're tending to an infant with these symptoms-you gotta face the music. If your little one shows signs of stomach discomfort such as excessive gas, frequent spitting-up or forceful vomiting- this could indicate trouble brewing in their digestive system
Refusal To Feed
Every child loves to eat, right? Not necessarily/any baby having issues feeding/ whether through breastmilk or formula/would leave anyone astonished / But more so when the problem is inexplicable/-when junior begins resisting food repeatedly even several hours after being offered sustenance- because it doesn't bode well.
Though none of these indicators conclusively points towards Colic/necessarily/ doctors often take note if a baby presents three out of three-plus any other consistent crying patterns
Tips for Managing Colicky Babies
When dealing with colicky babies-there can be surprisingly positive results from some basic tricks-and-tricks which may work across many different personalities:
Try Swaddling Or Motioning Them Repeatedly
Yes-Swaddle those toddlers like burritos! They've had enough of floating around fluid-now thy need to feel cosy. Plus-the motion-whilst soothing-can help soothe stomach troubles too/who knew!
Hold Your Baby And Walk Around While Holding Him/Her Firmly
They:Do not expect me to get all touchy-feely here!
Me: You have no choice pal.
Sometimes jigging them back and forth while standing also helps-a tried and tested method.
Watch Your Own Diet
As hard as it might be to imagine/ the food that one eats can impact a baby. Indeed studies have shown what mothers and pregnant women consume, (as well as later through breastfeeding) has a significant effect on baby/ so restrict some types of foods if necessary.
Pro Tip: No matter how tempting it gets-avoid giving junk-food to little tykes
The Final Takeaway:
Colic is but just another phase in every baby's life-cycle/and they eventually outgrow it otherwise we would have not been able to survive into adulthood Though there isn't an assured fix per se for those sobbing nights at mere weeks-old, experts have found certain behaviors calming for infants who are going through colicky spells. Remember also; parents too need patience (lots of it), encouragement and support from loved ones when living with-and taking care-of colicky children.
Relax, you're doing your best /nobody expected perfection/), parent-readers you got this!