Is Colic A Disease Of The Newborn

Colic is a disease of the newborn. Between 10 to 15% of all newborn children get colic. It is not known exactly what triggers colic, but there are several theories. However, the most important thing a parent can do for a newborn that has colic is not to panic. Colic is not a disease; it is a pattern of extended crying with no apparent reason.

All babies cry, but when newborns suffer from colic, the crying lasts longer than three hours a day and has no real medical condition causing it. Colic occurs in almost all newborns, the only difference is the degree of severity. So if your newborn cries about the same time every day, and there seems to be nothing you do seems to comfort him/her, your baby may have colic. Colic usually starts a few weeks after birth in most babies, climaxes around 6 weeks and usually improves by the third to fifth month.

Although not a serious life threatening condition, Colic can be extremely frustrating and distressing for parents of a newborn. However, what needs to be remembered is that it is a temporary condition and parents need to stay calm. Within a few weeks colic usually disappears by itself.

Symptoms

The following are common symptoms of colic found in newborns;

• Predictable, recurring crying episodes. Most newborns with colic cry around the same time each day, usually in the late afternoon or evening. A colic episode may last anywhere from between a few minutes to three hours or more. The crying begins suddenly and for no clear reason. Your baby may have a stool or pass gas near the end of a colic episode.
• Newborns with colic tend to draw their legs onto their abdomens, clench their fists, tense their stomachs, and appear to be in pain during a colic episode.
• In newborns who suffer from colic, the crying is very intense. It is likely that the baby’s face will become red and flushed and he/she will be very hard to comfort.

If your newborn is premature and develops colic, the crying will start about six to eight weeks after your original due date. As premature infants tend to be quiet and sleepy, do not worry if your baby develops colic, it is not serious. However, when colic is still going strong at 12 weeks, it is important to consult your doctor and consider another diagnosis.

Causes

Newborns with colic tend to be unusually sensitive especially to stimulation. Some newborns experience discomfort from intestinal gas, some cry from hunger, others from overfeeding. However, no one really understands what causes colic. A number of possibilities have been put out there by researchers, some of which include;

• Cow's milk allergies or lactose intolerance ‘
• An immature digestive system
• Food backing up into the esophagus
• Increased intestinal gas
• Hormonal changes in your baby
• A breast-feeding mother’s diet
• A newborns temperament
• Maternal anxiety
• Postpartum depression
• Differences in the way your baby is fed or comforted

It is unclear why some babies have colic and others don't, but if your newborn does have colic, it is important to remember that it is not the parents fault.

Remember, colic might not be the only cause of a newborn’s discomfort. If a baby cries loudly all the time and cannot be comforted, a doctor should be consulted before it is decided that the newborn has colic.

There are many theories about what makes one newborn more susceptible to colic than others, but there is no real pattern. Colic does not occur more frequently among first-borns or bottle-fed babies. And both newborn baby girls and boys experience colic in equal numbers. Colic is not caused by whether a child is born first or last, nor is it more frequent in babies who are fed earlier or later in the day.

Treatment

No medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, can relieve colic effectively. In fact some medications can have serious side effects. Always consult your doctor before giving your baby any medication to treat colic.

Here are some helpful tips you can try to help ease your newborn crying.

• Offer food.
• Offer a pacifier. Even if you are breast-feeding, it is okay to try a pacifier. Some babies like to suck as it can be a self-soothing activity.
• Try plain water or electrolyte water such as Pedialyte, as for some newborns plain liquids can be soothing.
• Hold and comfort your baby. Cuddling sometimes helps some babies.
• Gently rock your baby in your arms or in a swing. Also try to take a walk with your baby, or go for a drive.
• Sing to your baby, as a lullaby can help keep both you and your newborn calm.
• Try helping your newborn pass a stool or gas.
• You can try giving your baby a warm bath.
• Also try gently massaging your baby, especially around the stomach area.
• Change diets. A change in diet has been known to be helpful.

If you are breast-feeding, try to eliminate certain foods from your diet such as cow's milk, caffeinated drinks and vegetables in the cabbage family. Nursing on one breast may also help. If you feed your baby formula, find out from your doctor about using a different formula. Feed your baby often, in smaller amounts. And you can also adjust your baby's feeding routine and position. Hold your newborn more upright can also help.

If you feel that you cannot handle your newborns colic, consider asking your county health department or visiting-nurse association to recommend parenting support resources. In addition, ask friends and family to help. Remember; do not shake a baby roughly ever, as it can cause serious, life-threatening brain damage. Colic is a temporary condition. Do not worry it will pass.