Baby Colic

Almost every baby suffers from colic. Colic is a sort of cramps that start with two or three weeks of age and cease by the end of the fourth month. The real cure does not exist, but some advice can help to alleviate these cramps. All babies cry, but babies that cry over three hours, more than five days a week are suffering from infantile colic, or abdominal cramps. Abdominal cramps are manifested by uncontrolled prolonged crying of otherwise healthy and well nourished babies. They are equally common in boys and girls, with
babies who are breastfed and fed with a bottle. These are slightly more common in firstborn children born earlier.

Baby Colic Causes

The real cause of colic is not completely explained or understood. One of the certain causes may be immaturity of the digestive tract, and the accumulated air in it can cause pain and discomfort. With maturing of digestive functions, your baby becomes more tolerant. Another possible cause is the immaturity of the baby’s nervous system and which results in their  hypersensitivity and and the baby can react violently to ordinary stimuli such as sound, light or change of position. At the end of the day babies are even more disturbed due to long- period of crying. Worried parents caneven  make things worse, because they feel their baby’s stress,  which makes them very restless.

Baby Colic Symptoms

The main symptom is constant crying for no apparent reason for a longer period, pervasive than normal, especially pronounced in the evening. Babies with colic raise their heads, bend their knees to the stomach, flush in the face, make faces and emit gases. Baby colic sometimes worsens after eating. Sometimes the cramping occurs during feeding and it interrupts baby’s feeding. Cramps even cause problems with baby’s falling asleep and sleep length. Between these episodes, the baby is well, eats well, are progresses well and the baby does not show any sign of illness.

Regardless hoe dramatic it may seem, baby colic is not a serious condition. The main problem is parents’ stress and worries. It is difficult for them to cope with constant crying and it is important to show support if you are around them.

Baby Colic Treatment

Baby colic do not require doctor’s assitance, but a pediatric examination should eliminate other medical problemsand confirm The baby’s health. However, an isolated or proven cure for colic  does not exist, but some extra resources can be helpful and and some of them may help to relieve gas. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating food that can exacerbate colic, they should primarily avoid the food that causes bloating such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, parsnip, beans, onions, citrus fruits, spicy foods, caffeine and naturally alcohol. Children that are breastfed should be nourished with this natural diet as long as possible because the refusal of breastfeeding can worsen cramps.

There are also body positions and actions that act comforting to the baby with cramps – the baby is held upright or on its abdomen, he or she can be carried in kangaroo carrier, long baths can be helpful because  hot water can act relieving for the baby and gently massage his or her  tummy. But almost alwaysthe best way to console your baby is to take him or her into your arms, thus achieving very important effect because in this way you showyour baby that it is loved and that you are there for him of her.