What
are signs of Colic? When babies with colic cry, they may draw their arms
and legs in tight toward their bodies and appear to be in pain. Or other
times they stretch out their arms and legs and stiffen, then draw up tight
again. You may notice that baby's face turns bright red from excessive
crying.
Babies are diagnosed with colic when their crying lasts for more than
three hours a day. You may find that colicky babies get fussier toward the
end of the day, but colic can happen at any time.
A baby with colic may cry for long periods or may cry almost all of the
time. When your baby cries, they may swallow air. This swallowing is
likely to give your baby uncomfortable gas. Having an extra amount of gas
in your baby's tummy will make it look swollen and feel tight, which can
of course make your baby more uncomfortable. What Causes Colic? This has
long been a question without a definite answer. Still no one is quite sure
what actually causes colic. Babies with colic are healthy, so it does not
appear to be caused by a medical problem. And colic is not caused by the
way a baby is cared for. Without a doubt it is not any fault of the
parent.
It was once believed by doctors that babies may have an allergy to milk.
This has since been resolved as often breastfed babies may suffer from
colic too. Many believe that colic is caused by excessive gas in the tummy
which is the result of baby swallowing too much air while crying. How long
will Colic last? Colic usually starts when baby is three to six weeks old.
And will typically go away when they are around three months old. You may
wish to visit your baby's physician for guidance if your baby is still
showing signs of colic after three months of age. How can I help soothe my
colicky baby? There is no one treatment which has been proven to make
colic go away, but there are some simple things you can try to soothe your
colicky baby. For example many babies calm when they are gently rocked,
bounced or held closely to their parent's body. By being held close, your
baby may feel more warm and secure, and your body movements may help to
calm. Try also swaddling. Being swaddled for many babies helps them to
organize. You may also try singing or humming a calming tune to your
little one. This soothing sound may also calm you too!
And without a doubt, try massaging your baby's tummy. In some cases,
gently massaging baby's tummy has helped to move uncomfortable gasses out
of the intestinal tract relieving tightness and discomfort. Using your
full soft hand, massage should be given to your baby in a clockwise
circular motion. This massage specifically pinpoints the digestive tract
and should help to ease your baby's pain by helping them to pass painful
gas. How to cope when your baby has colic? If your baby has colic, surely
your family life has been turned upside down. You may find it extremely
stressful and upsetting when your baby is crying for hours and cannot be
easily comforted. Of course like many parents, you may feel guilty even
though you are not the cause of your little one's colic. No one wants to
see their baby in pain.
Caring for a baby with colic can be extremely frustrating, so be sure to
take care of yourself, too.
Don't blame yourself or your baby for the constant crying - colic is
nobody's fault. Try to relax, and remember that your baby will eventually
outgrow this phase. It is absolutely okay if you need a break. It may be
necessary for you to call on friends or family as reinforcement.
If you're unsure whether your baby's crying is colic or a symptom of
another illness, call your doctor.
Author:
Tina Allen Liddle Kidz
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