QA Colic

The birth of a baby is a beautiful thing. Many people prepare their entire lives for having children. They read all the baby books possible and carefully monitor their pregnancy. They watch their blood pressure and do not eat raw fish. They avoid caffeine and always wear their seat belt in the proper manner. The baby's room is completely outfitted and stocked with every thing imaginable. Diapers, wipes, ointments, bottles and medicines are lined up on all the shelves just waiting for the baby to come home from the hospital. The big day arrives and the precious bundle of joy comes how with the tired but happily exhausted parents. Everything seems to be going according to plan until one night the baby will not stop crying. The crying just goes on and on without cessation. Is it colic? Is it gas? Should the baby be rushed to the hospital? Being a new parent is tough without having a fussy infant that does not feel well. But if you add in colic you have a recipe for disaster. In this article you will learn the basics of colic and hopefully get a little piece of mind should your child come down with a case of colic and you feel as if you are at your wits end.

What is colic?

No one is exactly sure what colic is and how babies get it. Colic is diagnosed when the baby screams and cries for a lengthy amount of time frequently and without any discernable reason. He or she is not running a fever, not hungry nor wet. It is a situation that can be extremely frustrating for parents, baby and doctor alike because there is no set definition. In the past doctor's would diagnose colic as a symptom of built up gas in the stomach. Research has not proven anything definitively yet.

Are there any risk factors?

No one knows for sure what causes colic. If doctor's could absolutely prove that it was the digestive system and the specific type of formula used on nursing babies, they would be able to warn bottle feeding mothers about the possible risk factors and help promote wider use of breast feeding. Or if a baby seems to be suffering from breast feeding, the doctor's may advocate a switch to a soy based formula.

How is colic treated?

There are a couple methods that doctors and homeopathic specialists recommend to try to help calm a baby. Remember: the diagnosis of colic is very general and no one knows exactly what is making your infant cry so uncontrollably. Research has not proven that these methods actually work or are simply something that soothes the child temporarily until the parent has some peace.

Doctors my prescribe simethicone to help control gas that is built up in the stomach. You can also try herbal teas, gripe water, cuddling, pacifiers, rocking or white noise to help calm the baby and help soothe him or her to sleep.

Are there ways I can help my baby avoid colic?

Since doctors are not sure what exactly colic is and what causes colic, they cannot give any solid advice when it comes to avoiding colic. Some babies never have a case of colic and some cry almost non-stop for three months. If your baby is colicky you may have to try a variety of remedies and methods until either something works for you or the baby grows past that phase.

Is colic dangerous?

If colic were caused by gastrointestinal distress it could be dangerous. This is especially true if the child developed GERD which is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. The constant presence of acid in the throat could case the delicate tissues to become inflamed and begin to erode. This leads to further gastroesophageal problems.