Baby Colic 101 | Baby Colic Education | Colic Calm

Baby Colic 101 | Baby Colic Education | Colic Calm

Colic 101

What is Colic?

Baby colic is often defined by inconsolable crying for an unknown reason. Colic typically starts around two weeks of age and resolves before four months of age.

  • TimeMore than 3 hours a day...

  • Week  at least 3 days a week...

  • Date for at least 3 weeks

Between 10% to 40% of Babies
Worldwide Meet the Rule of 3’s
Guideline

Guideline Map

How Long Does Colic Last?

Colic Chart

What Are The
Symptoms Of Colic?

  • 100%

    Excessive, Inconsolable & Unexplained Crying

  • 92%

    Symptoms Begin & End Abruptly

  • 90%

    Grimaced Face

  • 90%

    High-Pitched Piercing Sound

  • 90%

    Clenched Fists

  • 90%

    Knees Drawn To Chest

  • 90%

    Arched Back

  • 90%

    Red Face

  • 83%

    Disrupted Sleep Patterns

  • 74%

    Gas With Abdominal Bloating & Hard Distended Stomach

  • 70%

    Symptoms Begin After Mealtimes

  • 62%

    Symptoms Cease After Bowel Movement Or Passing Gas

  • 46%

    Spits Up Frequently

What Causes Colic

There are many theories as to what causes colic, but there is no single consistent cause that all experts agree on.

  • Trapped Intestinal Gas
  • Food Sensitivities
  • Gastro Oesophageal Reflux
  • Gastro Intestinal Immaturity
  • Milk Protein Allergy
  • Bacterial Imbalance
  • Transient Lactase Deficiency
  • External Environment
  • Food Sensitivities

Factors that
increase likelihood

  •  
    Smoking
  •  
    Emotional Problems
  •  
    Anxiety
  •  
    Migranes
  •  
    Distress
  •  
    Depression

Foods That May
Cause Colic

There have been a few studies that suggest a mother’s diet may affect her baby. The basis of these studies suggest that specific foods contain trace elements that can be passed through the breast milk creating reactions in the baby’s stomach leading to colic.

The foods linked to this include:

  •  
    Cow’s Milk or Dairy
  •  
    Peas
  •  
    Coffee
  •  
    Beans
  •  
    Soy
  •  
    Strawberries
  •  
    Peanuts
  •  
    Acidic Foods

Complications

While most doctors will rightly reassure you that a colicky baby does not predict any future temperament, there are a few studies now associating colicky symptoms with later behavioral problems. It remains unclear if colic if the cause or if a genetic predisposition makes colic more likely in these kids.

  • Gastro
    Intestinal

     

  • Sleep
    Disorders

     

  • Maternal
    Disorders

     

  • Hyperactivity
    Disorders

     

  • Never shake
    a baby

     

Preparing For Your Doctor Visit

Ask your doctor to confirm if your baby has colic or to determine if there is another medical cause of your baby’s excessive crying. Here is information you can prepare for your doctor.

Sketch
  • Periods of Fussing & Crying
  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Sleep Pattern
  • Feeding
  • Foods You Note Make Baby's Symptom Worse
  • Your Social Support
  • Anything Else You Find Helpful Write in Notes

Colic is a Diagnosis of Exclusion

If no physical problem is found, then colic will often be the diagnosis. Typically, tests like x-rays are not needed unless other conditions are found during the doctor’s exam.

Recently, an over diagnosis of reflux in children has led to an overuse of medication.

  • Food Allergies or Sensitivities
     
  • Abdominal Infection
     
  • Reflux
     
  • Hernia
     
  • Ear Infection
     
  • Bladder Infection
     
  • Intestinal Blockage
     
  • AReflux
     
  • colic
     

Treatment Overview

There is no known cure for colic. In fact its unknown what exactly causes colic. Many doctors, pediatricians, midwives, and lactation consultants have come up with theories on the cause of colic, and out of these some colic treatment options have been tried. To put these treatments to the test a poll was conducted and the results are provided in the chart you see.

  • %

    HOW MANY MOM’S FOUND IT EFFECTIVE

  • %

    HOW MANY MOM’S TRIED

SOOTHING

  • 91%
    68%
    Sound
  • 57%
    88%
    Music
  • 40%
    76%
    PACIFIERS

DIGESETIBLE REMEDIES

  • 92%
    73%
    INCREASE FREQUENCY OF FEEDINGS
  • 98%
    76%
    BURPED DURING & AFTER FEEDINGS
  • 85%
    55%
    CHANGE POSITION IF NURSING
  • 47%
    23%
    CHANGE NIPPLE, BOTTLE OR FORMULA

FEEDING TECHNIQUES

  • 62%
    37%
    GRIPE WATER
  • 36%
    18%
    HERBAL TEAS
  • 50%
    37%
    PROBIOTICS
  • 33%
    17%
    SIMETHICONE

PHYSICAL THERAPIES

  • 62%
    37%
    THE COLIC HOLD
  • 36%
    18%
    MOTION
  • 50%
    37%
    SWINGING, CUDDLING, HOLDING
  • 84%
    55%
    A WARM BATH
  • 91%
    31%
    TUMMY TIME
  • 93%
    55%
    SWADDLING
  • 86%
    57%
    MASSAGE

Treatment Evaluation

We have taken the data polled and broke it into four sections. These sections are based upon family secrets, known trusted colic remedies, superstitions and commonly known placebos. Each section includes whether it was tried or untried by parents, and whether it worked or not.

Treatment Evalution

How To Get Colic Support

Often times parents with a colicky baby can feel helpless. Feelings of worthlessness or of being a bad mother or father can rise up as parents feel there is nothing they can do to help their screaming baby.

If you are feeling this way, try utilizing some of these colic support suggestions.

  • Stay Calm!
    You’re Doing the
    Best You Can

    Being a new parent can be stressful especially when your baby is screaming for hours on end. This can leave doubts that your a bad parent or don’t know how to soothe your baby. Know that these feelings are completely normal.

  • Ask For Help
    From Family or
    Friends

    It’s stressful to listen to your baby cry for long periods, so plan times when you can take a break. Arrange ahead of time for someone to help you with the baby so that you can have a few moments to yourself.

  • Reach Out To
    Moms With
    Colicky Babies

    Another avenue when dealing with colic is to reach out to moms with colicky babies. This is great for moral support, sharing ideas, and techniques on what works and what doesn’t work in the treatment of colic.

  • Join A Colic
    Support Group

    Having a good support system is vital. Thanks to sites such as babycenter.com and colic support group you can find vital information in the support of colic.

Colic Resources

There are many websites and forums available for support from doctors and moms who have experienced colic first hand. Here is a list of some that we recommend.

  • babycenter.com

  • medicalnewstoday.com

  • medicinenet.com

  • mothering.com

  • healthychildren.org

  • nhs.uk

  • mayoclinic.org

  • patient.info

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