You have probably heard of colic before and pray that your baby will never suffer from it. However, up to 25% of all babies do so you should be aware that it is a possibility. As a new mother you might not be an expert on babies or what symptoms of colic might be, but it helps to educate yourself so that you are aware what is happening with your baby in case he does develop colic. Remember as well that most families have as difficult a time dealing with colic as the baby does so try and identify the symptoms as early as possible in order to help find your baby some peace.
Many times doctors won't tell you that your baby has colic because it is difficult to diagnose simply because it is frequently a mixture of symptoms rather than one condition. In fact, some doctors don't even have the term "colic" in their vocabulary, but if your baby is suffering from it you will know it. There are a variety of symptoms that might represent colic that include red faces and clenched fists, reflux, grunting, hiccups, moaning, pushing and grunting, spasms, contractions, and lots and lots of crying. If your baby presents some of these symptoms or even others accompanied by inconsolable crying then your baby just might have colic.
Another sign of colic is these symptoms are frequent after a feeding and can last until the next feeding seeming like a never ending period of suffering and crying for your baby. Most doctors don' use the word colic, but do acknowledge that after eating many babies experience digestive problems due to kinked intestines that have not straightened out enough for easy digestion. Most parents that have babies with colic are sick with worry because their babies are obviously miserable and they can do nothing to soothe them or take the pain away. However, babies with colic are simply miserable with gas and do not have a fever, diarrhea, weight loss, or other symptoms at all. Because of this your baby is not really sick, but has a problem with digestion that makes them feel awful. Knowing this is important even if it doesn't make you feel much better as a parent of a colicky baby.
If your baby is one of the up to 25% of babies that develops colic you probably will become aware of the condition around six weeks of age. Then at three months the problem usually resolves itself. Of course, this seems like an impossible length of time for you and baby to go without any good sleep or comfort, but many babies and families have survived and yours will too if colic happens.
You will hate that your baby has colic and neither you nor your doctor has a miracle cure. However, knowing that your baby is not really sick and should be better in a few months will help you deal with the situation even if you feel awful about not being able to help your new bundle of joy. So, do everything you can to bond with your child and let them feel your support and do your best to make it to the three month mark when hopefully your baby is cured. If not, visit your doctor for additional tests of other potential digestive problems.
Anti Colic Baby Bottles
No one knows exactly what causes colic, though many old wives tales abound. Lots of older women will tell you that it is caused by parental inexperience, but colic does not occur more often in first children than in subsequent children, so they One thing that seems clear is that most babies who are experiencing colic have a stomach ache. Many are gassy, though a baby won't cry so inconsolably every time he has gas, so it is clearly gas plus something, though just what is not clear.
Though we don't know what colic really is, it is hard to miss when your child is experiencing it. The inconsolable crying usually begins in the late afternoon or early evening and often lasts until the baby finally falls asleep for the night, exhausted. Colic typically begins between two and three weeks of age, and is over its worst by twelve to sixteen weeks, though there are babies who start later and end later. My daughter started at twelve weeks, but thankfully her bout of colic was over in two weeks. A colicky baby will typically draw his knees up to his chest, clench his fists and scream. He may act like he wants the breast or bottle, but reject it as soon as you it's in his mouth. You will get the sense that your child is frantic, and needs something very badly, but doesn't know what.
If you believe your baby has colic, it is still wise to take him to a doctor. There is no cure for colic, but you should rule out other causes, such as an allergy to formula or some other gastric disorder. Once your doctor has proclaimed the baby healthy, you can chalk it up to colic.
Once you know that your baby has colic, though there is no cure, there are some remedies you can try. Simethicone drops, which are available over the counter as a gas medication for babies, helps in some cases. In addition, there are numerous tricks you can try such as taking a drive in the car or running the vacuum cleaner that will work for some babies some of the time. But, overall, colic is just a waiting game. Keep the baby (and yourself) as calm as possible and look forward to the day when it will be over.
Both Vickie Barnes & Sarah Veda are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Vickie Barnes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Babies, Infidelity and Babies. Vickie Barnes is a colic veteran of two colicky babies. Please visit her website , for more support and resources for dealing with. Vickie Barnes's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Sarah Veda has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Home Management and Air Purifier Cleaners. Sarah is a 41 year old wife and mother of two boys and one girl. She spent many years as a manager in the corporate world, and gave it up to be a stay at home mom. and get her incredible baby mi. Sarah Veda's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
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