Bringing home a new baby can be a stressful time for parents, especially if the baby cries for unknown reasons. Baby colic is defined as a condition in which an infant under the age of four months frequently cries for more than three hours a day. Nobody knows why colic occurs, and it is not life threatening. However, it can be a terrifying feeling if you do not know what the problem is. Feel like your child may have colic? Take a look at these five signs of baby colic that every mom should recognize:
Excessive Crying
All babies cry. Whether it is from hunger, boredom, a dirty diaper, or a stimulant, most babies cry for a very specific reason. Once a baby's needs are met, she will generally cease crying. However, for a baby who suffers from colic, no amount of comforting will calm the child. Colicky babies are inconsolable. This can frighten and frustrate parents who must consistently comfort their screaming infants, with no clue as to why the child is crying.
Age
Baby colic is limited to those children who are usually between the ages of two weeks to four months. For most children who suffer from this, their symptoms will ease once they reach the age of three months. However, some children will continue to cry into their fourth month. If a child continues to cry excessively after five months, most doctors agree something more serious may be occurring.
Predictable Crying
Another telltale sign of baby colic includes not only inconsolable crying but also crying that occurs regularly and predictably. Most babies who suffer from colic have set times of fussiness. They usually begin in the late afternoon or early evenings and continue well into the morning hours. Colic is sometimes described as an episode of uncontrollable crying that lasts more than three hours and begins at relatively the same time each day.
High-Pitched Crying
Colicky crying, as you have probably noted, can be a very stressful situation. Often, the crying is very intense and high-pitched. Many babies scream for long periods of time, and their faces turn red. It is nearly impossible to comfort these infants who suffer from baby colic. However high-pitched the tone, true cases of colic are non-life threatening. Seek help if you are uncertain as to the cause of your child's fussiness, or if you feel you need help coping with the situation. If you are unsure as to what is causing your baby's fussiness, it is best to seek the advice of your pediatrician.
Arched Posture
While no one sign is an indication of baby colic, multiple symptoms together may be a basis for a colic diagnosis. Babies who experience colic generally tend to arch their back, tense their abdominal muscles, and clench their fists. Often times, a baby will pass a significant amount of gas or have a large bowel movement at the end of the episode. Experts generally do not agree gas causes colic in babies, but it can be an indicator.
Baby colic can be a very tense and nerve-racking condition to experience, both as an infant and as a parent. If you are still unsure or would like further information regarding baby colic, contact a reliable physician today.
Author,
Kaitlyn LaPenn
Excessive Crying
All babies cry. Whether it is from hunger, boredom, a dirty diaper, or a stimulant, most babies cry for a very specific reason. Once a baby's needs are met, she will generally cease crying. However, for a baby who suffers from colic, no amount of comforting will calm the child. Colicky babies are inconsolable. This can frighten and frustrate parents who must consistently comfort their screaming infants, with no clue as to why the child is crying.
Age
Baby colic is limited to those children who are usually between the ages of two weeks to four months. For most children who suffer from this, their symptoms will ease once they reach the age of three months. However, some children will continue to cry into their fourth month. If a child continues to cry excessively after five months, most doctors agree something more serious may be occurring.
Predictable Crying
Another telltale sign of baby colic includes not only inconsolable crying but also crying that occurs regularly and predictably. Most babies who suffer from colic have set times of fussiness. They usually begin in the late afternoon or early evenings and continue well into the morning hours. Colic is sometimes described as an episode of uncontrollable crying that lasts more than three hours and begins at relatively the same time each day.
High-Pitched Crying
Colicky crying, as you have probably noted, can be a very stressful situation. Often, the crying is very intense and high-pitched. Many babies scream for long periods of time, and their faces turn red. It is nearly impossible to comfort these infants who suffer from baby colic. However high-pitched the tone, true cases of colic are non-life threatening. Seek help if you are uncertain as to the cause of your child's fussiness, or if you feel you need help coping with the situation. If you are unsure as to what is causing your baby's fussiness, it is best to seek the advice of your pediatrician.
Arched Posture
While no one sign is an indication of baby colic, multiple symptoms together may be a basis for a colic diagnosis. Babies who experience colic generally tend to arch their back, tense their abdominal muscles, and clench their fists. Often times, a baby will pass a significant amount of gas or have a large bowel movement at the end of the episode. Experts generally do not agree gas causes colic in babies, but it can be an indicator.
Baby colic can be a very tense and nerve-racking condition to experience, both as an infant and as a parent. If you are still unsure or would like further information regarding baby colic, contact a reliable physician today.
Author,
Kaitlyn LaPenn
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