Baby Colic

Baby colic or infant colic is a situation wherein the baby screams and cries continuously and frequently without any visible reason. Usually, this condition appears within the first month of the baby’s birth and continues till the baby is three to four months old. It occurs in both breast fed and bottle fed babies, and more often than not, the baby starts crying in the evening.

This is one of the few things, which has not been totally unraveled by modern science. If all the known causes of a baby crying are ruled out and baby cries for more than three hours a day for more than three days a week and more than three weeks in a month the baby is considered to be colicky.

Causes

There is no universally accepted cause for baby colic but most experts agree that it is due to trapped gases in the digestive tract, which cause severe abdominal pain. A number of useful bacteria are present in all our stomachs’ and these help us in a variety of bodily functions like digestion.

Certain babies may not have enough lactobacillus acidophilus and hence needs to be given probotics, which help digestion and provide relief. Other experts disagree and claim that the baby cries because of a combination of immature nervous system, the environment and sensitive temperament.

Treatment

The treatment of baby colic quickly and effectively is extremely important as it causes a lot of stress both to the baby and parents. As the causes are not sufficiently understood, the treatment also varies from one doctor to another.

Some babies feel better by a gentle rocking, which produces endorphin and calms the babies. Others need to be given simethicone to treat the trapped gas in the digestive track.

The parents who have raised colic free babies feel that the baby is not being taken care of properly. On the other hand, the parents whose babies were cured by a particular method do not believe that it is not working for your baby.

The bottom line is that there is no full proof cure available for baby colic. Most scientists’ advice not to recommend specific cures, as they might end up doing more harm than good. It is best to let the condition run its course and try and calm the baby by a combination of rocking, holding the baby upright and using pacifiers and nature will find a way.