Do you find that your baby is fussy throughout the day? Have you tried everything to comfort them but you can’t alleviate them? If this is the case, your infant may be experiencing discomfort due to colic.
Colic is a quite common experience that many parents have to go through with their little ones. Roughly one in five babies will develop colic (usually by the second and fourth week after birth). Some symptoms include; crying uncontrollably, lifting their legs up, passing gas and their stomachs can often become bloated. Many parents have a heightened sense of stress when their infants go through colic episodes because they particularly happen between the hours of 6pm and 12am, when parents are undoubtedly exhausted from either work or taking care of their other children. The fussy periods most often don’t surpass three hours a day by six weeks and then should decline to one-two hours a day by three to four months old. It is important to note that as long as your baby is not fussy or crying for the entire day and has an adequate amount of rest, there is no reason for concern. If the crying does not stop or intensifies, please consult your child’s pediatrician.
Unfortunately, there are no concrete answers as to why some babies experience colic. Usually, it simply means that they may be sensitive to the milk supply they are receiving whether that be formula or breast milk. If a baby is colicky on breast milk, it is important to note that it could have something to do with the mothers’ diet. Colic in babies that are fed formula can arise from a sensitivity in protein of the formula. Luckily, colic usually only lasts no longer than six months and as your baby grows, they will become stronger and more resistant to colic episodes. Be attentive to your child and aware that symptoms of colic can also be attributed to other medical issues like hernias or other types of illnesses.
If you feel like you are overwhelmed with stress from not being able to alleviate your babies’ colic episodes, talk to a family member or friend and ask them to watch your baby- even if it is to get out of the house for a few minutes. No matter how frustrated you become, please be patient with your baby and never shake them. Shaking an infant can cause their fragile bodies an extreme amount of stress and can result in; blindness, brain damage or even death. Talk to your doctor if you feel like you are having symptoms of depression and let them know that you are having trouble dealing with your emotions so you can receive the help you need.