Symptoms of Infant Colic

Colic is one of the most common infant conditions. Around ¼ of all babies 2 to 6 weeks of age develop this condition. It is, to some extent, a medical mystery in that there is no defined cause for the condition. Gastrointestinal problems and milk allergies were originally believed to be the source of colic, but medical data suggests that they are not related.

Crying

• Prolonged periods of crying, especially in the evening, are the most common symptoms of infant colic. The crying sounds that a colicky baby makes are usually powerful and shrill. If the crying is accompanied by fever and/or diarrhea, it could indicate a more serious problem and the baby should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Gas and Position Changes

• Colicky babies may have gas or a swollen stomach after eating. They often clench their fists and pull their legs up to their stomach or stiffen and expand them when they cry.

Testing for Colic

• Doctors will perform a physical exam on the infant to see if she is healthy. If no other health problems are found to be the cause of the crying, the baby is diagnosed with colic.

Treatment for Colic

• Some doctors prescribe a drug called Mylicon for colic; however this drug has been shown to be ineffective and can cause severe side effects. Probiotics are sometimes used to sustain the balance of good bacteria in the baby's system. Most of these treatments need further research to determine their safety and effectiveness. The best thing is to just wait it out, and your baby will eventually recover from the colic (usually by 3 months of age).

What Can You Do for Your Baby?

• If you are a mother who is nursing, avoid sugar, spicy foods, tobacco and alcohol, as these may aggravate your baby's symptoms. Other things that help relieve your baby's symptoms include burping the baby often, making sure the baby is eating enough, placing the baby on its stomach over your knees or using movement (i.e., walking, rocking, strolling, etc.) to soothe the baby.