Women playing with a colic baby that is crying in the living room

 

All babies cry, more so during their first few weeks. As a new parent, this is one of the things you need to get used to, as tough as it may be. Crying is a natural and instinctive behaviour signal for babies, a normal part of their development, and a primary way of communicating their needs to caregivers. Babies cry to express a variety of needs and emotions, as they are unable to communicate through words. Some common reasons why babies cry include hunger, discomfort (such as a wet diaper or feeling too hot or cold), tiredness, physical discomfort (such as gas, colic or teething pain), seeking attention or affection, or simply being overstimulated. 

But sometimes the crying goes on longer. Your child may be a colic baby. Read on to learn more and how to deal with:

  • what is colic and its common characteristics

  • various factors that can contribute to colic

  • essential tips for managing colic in your baby

1. Overview
2. What is colic?
3. How to tell if it’s colic
4. How to help a colic baby
5. Feeding tips
6. Use sounds and motion
7. Decrease stimulation
8. Frequently Asked Questions

Mother playing with a ball to distract her colic baby

 

What is colic? 

Colic is neither a disease nor a disorder. It is a catch-all term used to describe the frequent, prolonged crying of an otherwise healthy child. Episodes of colic can go on for more than three hours a day, at least three times a week, for three or more weeks1. It can be frustrating for parents to see their child in distress for no reason at all. Add to the fact that this excessive crying usually happens at night.

Colic in a baby is common. According to studies, infantile colic affects five to 19% of babies11. In most cases, they outgrow it by the time they reach six months of age. Meanwhile, being alert and having a lot of patience will help you get through these difficult moments. There are steps you can take to minimise the severity and occurrence of colic episodes.

 

How to tell if it’s colic

At this point, even experts can’t exactly pinpoint what’s truly causing colic. However, there are several theories that can explain this condition2.

  • Overstimulated senses

  • Food allergies or intolerances

  • Developing digestive system (pain from gas)

  • Early forms of paediatric migraine12

 

One of the most common colic symptoms is recurring, prolonged crying, which is usually the first tell-tale sign of colic. Moreover, colicky crying is typically louder, more high-pitched, and more urgent than that of a normal one3.

Your child may have colic if he or she shows the following symptoms:

  • Having a bright, red face

  • Clenched fists while crying

  • Curling up their legs towards their belly

  • Crying is intense and inconsolable

  • Arched back and tense abdomen

  • Burps a lot or passes gas more frequently

It’s important to note that these symptoms may also point to other medical conditions. Make sure to take your child to a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen to rule out other possible illnesses causing tummy pain and discomfort.

 

How to help a colic baby

Dealing with infant colic requires more management than treatment. There’s no real “cure” for it. It’s hard to see your child cry, but it’s a normal part of their development and goes away over time. Learning how to understand your baby’s cry is a good step4. This helps establish a better parent-child connection. Don’t panic if he or she doesn’t calm down right away. There are more ways to soothe your baby.

 

Feeding tips

Most of the time, babies cry because they’re hungry. Try to establish a pattern for feeding so your child can develop some ways of self-regulating5. But don’t force-feed the child either; they’ll just end up crying some more. Remember to burp your child in between feedings as well. Too much air swallowed can cause pain due to gas.

If food sensitivity is what’s causing the discomfort leading to colic, ask your paediatrician what diet modifications you can make for the baby’s nutrition. One way to soothe sensitive tummies is to include partially hydrolyzed proteins (PHP) in your baby’s diet. PHP are smaller protein molecules derived from the protein hydrolysation process; the protein is partially broken down into smaller molecules, which are easier to digest and less allergenic as compared to regular cow’s milk10.

 

Use sounds and motion

Sometimes, your child just wants to be held or touched. Gently stroke your baby’s head or pat his back or chest. You can also rock him to sleep, either on a swing or in your arms as you sway from side to side. If that doesn’t work, try a change of scenery. A colic baby may respond well to a stroll or short car rides7. The sights outside can help your child relax.

During a colic episode, you may want to try to distract your child with gentle white noise like the radio or TV in the background. Play classical music or hum softly to him, too. Your child might just want to hear your voice.

 

Decrease stimulation

Newborns have a built-in mechanism that allows them to tune out environmental stimuli8. However, it gradually disappears as they age. Experiencing different sensations all at once can overwhelm them. And to release that stress, they cry. To avoid this, make sure they’re always in a comfortable setting. For example, your child’s nursery should be devoid of harsh, bright lights and unnecessary sounds. Use a gentle, calming voice whenever you’re around your child. Swaddling, or wrapping the child in a snug blanket, can help him or her tune out the environment.

As you bear all this in mind, don’t forget to look after yourself. Most times, moms may feel annoyed and helpless. When reacting to your colic child’s wails, begin with a quick investigation of what the possible causes may be. Warm her up if she’s cold, change her if she’s wet, and feed her if she seems hungry. Check on her to see if her clothing, the light, or the noise around her may be upsetting her. No matter how distressed you may feel, don’t shake your baby. It can cause irreparable damage to her health9. Seek help and advice from your doctor instead. It also helps if you surround yourself with good emotional support in the form of family and friends. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!

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Here are some common asked questions on colic baby:

  1. What causes colic in babies? 
    Sometimes an immature digestive system, gastrointestinal discomfort, sensitivity to external stimuli, and the possible influence of parental stress or breastfeeding patterns can cause colic. While the exact cause of colic remains unclear, addressing these factors may help manage the symptoms.

  2. What are the common signs and symptoms of colic? 
    Most babies with colic have excessive and inconsolable crying episodes, particularly in the late afternoon or evening. This may include clenched fists, tense abdominal muscles, and difficulty soothing the baby despite attempts to address their needs.

  3. What can I do to soothe a colicky baby?
    Using gentle rocking or motion, swaddling, offering a pacifier, creating a calm and quiet environment, trying different feeding techniques, and seeking support from healthcare professionals. 

 

Related articles:

  1. Every Mum’s Guide to Baby Fever
  2. 3 Ways MFGM Improves Early Childhood Development
  3. Different Types of Baby Cries
  4. 6 Things to Know about Baby Digestion
  5. How to Deal with Reflux in Babies

 

Expert Resource:
Dr. Raymond Choy Wai Mun
(MCR 18097A)
MBChB (UK), Aviation Medicine (Singapore)

References:

  1. Colic: Symptoms & Causes (n.d). July 30, 2020 © 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colic/symptoms-causes/syc-20371074.

  2. Conditions and Diseases: Colic (n.d). Copyright © 2023 The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System retrieved from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/colic.

  3. When Your Baby Won't Stop Crying (n.d). By Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and Melinda Smith, M.A. July 31, 2020 retrieved from: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/when-your-baby-wont-stop-crying.htm.

  4. What is Colic? (n.d). ©2023 University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, NY. July 30, 2020 retrieved from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=90&contentid=P01985.

  5. Colic. Last Updated July 2023 | This article was created by familydoctor.org editorial staff and reviewed by Robert "Chuck" Rich, Jr., MD, FAAFP retrieved from: https://familydoctor.org/condition/colic/.

  6. A perspective on partially hydrolyzed protein infant formula in non-exclusively breastfed infants 2019 May; 62(5): 149-154. Published online 2019 Jan 14. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528056/.

  7. What to do when babies cry (n.d). Reviewed by: Michelle M. Karten, MD. Date reviewed: November 2019 retrieved from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/babies-cry.html.

  8. Physical Assessment of the Newborn: A Comprehensive Approach to the Art of Physical Examination (2015). Retrieved July 31, 2020 from: http://academyofneonatalnursing.org/NNT/Nervous_PANBehavioralAssessment.pdf.

  9. Colic: Management and Treatment (n.d). July 31, 2020 © 2023 Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10823-colic/management-and-treatment.

  10. Formula Protein Type. Retrieved September 11, 2020 from: https://babyformulaexpert.com/baby-formula-protein-type/.

  11. Infant Colic (n.d). Amy A Gelfand. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 Feb 1. Published in final edited form as: Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2016 Feb; 23(1): 79-82. Published online 2015 Aug 17. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4809021/.

  12. Treatment of Paediatric Migraine: A Review (n.d). Retrieved October 19, 2020 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5394581/.