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10/3/2008 - by Anne Marie Nielson
  
Colic

To quote Dr. William Sears on the topic of colic: "If you wonder whether or not you have a colicky baby - you don't." If your baby has colic, your life as a new parent could be driving you crazy as you try to figure out what is making your baby cry for hours without cease. The fact is that babies who suffer from colic are in pain. The trick is to work with your doctor to find out what is triggering your baby's pain.

No one really understands why some babies get colic and others don't. Colic, at its most basic, is pain in the belly. This causes the baby so much distress that he becomes inconsolable. If your doctor addresses your baby's colic as "well, babies cry," find yourself another doctor. There are ways for doctors to help you pinpoint what your baby's problem is that is causing the colic.

DOES YOUR BABY HAVE COLIC? 

Your baby has colic if the behavior fits the "Rule of Threes":
• Inconsolable crying begins within the first three weeks after birth
• The crying lasts at least three hours each time
• Your baby cries like this at least three days per week
• These sessions continue for at least three weeks
• Don't usually last longer than three months of age

Keep a colic diary to record when colic occurs and what seems to trigger them. What makes them stop? Do they happen the same time every day? Does it seem related to eating? Does your baby gulp air? Is he gassy? How frequently does your baby have bowel movements? What seems to work for soothing your child? What doesn't work?

This diary may help your pediatrician figure out how to relieve your baby's distress. When you see your doctor, make sure you get a long appointment time. Colic isn't something you can squeeze into a few minutes. Record a colic session for your doctor to listen to beforehand. Sometimes they can tell a lot by hearing the tone to the crying. Don't accept defeat. Keep looking for an answer.

If colic hasn't gone away by four months of age, there may be a medical reason for the colic. Gastro esophageal reflux (GER) can cause colic because stomach acid can splash up into the lower esophagus, causing pain similar to heartburn. A baby with GER may cry or shriek with pain. He may spit up after eating, wake in the night with pain, cry harder after eating, and draw his legs and knees up to his chest while arching his back.

Another cause may be food sensitivities. Nursing babies can react to foods the mother eats. Common food problems are caused by dairy products, caffeine, vegetables in the broccoli and cabbage family, spicy foods, corn or wheat. If it turns out to be a food reaction, you can eliminate foods one by one until you find the one that is causing the problem.

SOOTHING COLIC

Some methods of soothing your baby is to feed them slower and more frequently. Hold baby differently. The football hold seems to be a favorite of babies. Nestle baby so his head rests beneath your chin and sing a slow repetitive tune. Dance around… include side to side, up and down and forward and back. You may be surprised that one or another may work.

At From Pregnancy To Baby, we try to provide you with all of the latest information about going through your pregnancy from your first trimester to the first years of your new babies life. We also provide the highest quality books and products to help you through that time.

Source: http://www.frompregnancytobaby.com/Articles/Colic.html