Differentiating colic and simple bouts of crying in a baby can be difficult and confusing. Crying is a fact of life for babies and something that sometimes seem incessant and completely random.
So how can you tell if your baby is suffering from colic or he/she is simply crying? Unfortunately there is no single definitive answer to this but there are certain symptoms that you can use to identify colic.
Generally, colic in baby starts three to six weeks of age and continues until it generally stops around four months of age. It is reported around 20 to 25 percent of all babies suffer colic so it is a common problem. Most telling sign of colic is uncontrollable and excessive crying that prolongs for a few hours at a time for at least two to three days a week. If your baby cries in higher volume than normal and for unusually long period of time, it could be a sign that he/she has colic.
These are some of the common symptoms related to baby suffering with colic. Baby's face may turn completely red. Baby's body becomes tense, with legs either pulled up to the torso or stretched out straight. Hands and toes become clenched hard. Sometimes baby will start crying immediately followed by a meal. You notice passing of gas while your baby is crying.
It is important to keep a journal when dealing with baby colic. Babies suffering from colic often show their symptoms generally around the same times of the day. You should be recording when the symptoms starts, its duration and your baby's behavior during the bouts. Keeping a record of such activities will not only help you determine whether your baby has a colic but also help you plan and prepare for it in advance.
It can be disheartening to learn that colic is mysterious even to your doctors and has no known definitive cure. However, keep in mind that baby colic is completely benign and something your baby will grow out of eventually. |
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