What is colic?
Colic is repeated, uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy, normally developing baby. The crying seems unrelated to hunger and tends to start during a child's first month and continue until they are around three or four months old.
Colic is very common in newborn babies, with about 20 per cent affected. In China it is known as 'the hundred days crying'.
What are the symptoms?
These include:
- Baby is unable to be comforted
- High-pitched intense screaming
- Baby sucks a lot but does not want to feed
- Crying is usually worse in the evening after feeding
- Baby may clench their fists, arch their back or draw up their knees as if in pain, and pass wind
- Difficulty sleeping and feeding disrupted by crying.
What are the causes?
Unfortunately, the causes of colic are not known, but there are many theories about them, including painful trapped wind and an immature digestive system or gut. Researchers have also suggested that some babies are simply more sensitive than others. Smoking during pregnancy is thought to double the chances of a baby getting colic.
How is colic diagnosed?
It is important that worried parents or carers speak to a GP or health visitor. They will be able to help to rule out other possible problems or causes and give support.
How can it be treated?
There is no proven cure for colic and it does improve on its own after a few months. Meanwhile, various techniques may help:
- Swaddling and close contact with the carer can help a baby to sleep.
- Colicky babies also like rocking and movement, such as being pushed in a pram or driven around.
- A warm bath may be soothing.
- 'White noise' such as that made by a washing machine or vacuum cleaner can calm colicky babies.
- Dietary changes may help, such as changing brand of formula milk, or in breastfeeding mothers, eliminating dairy products, spicy food and caffeine from the diet. Health visitors should be able to advise parents about diet and whether any particular foods will make the baby's colic worse.
- Try anti-colic teats if bottle feeding.
- Prevent baby from swallowing air by sitting them upright while feeding.
- Always 'burp' baby after a feed.
- Sucking on a dummy, bottle or breast can prove comforting.
- Colic drops or gripe water, which are available without prescription can relieve symptoms.
- Aromatherapy and massaging the baby's stomach with lavender oil may help.
- Cranial osteopathy and chiropractic spinal manipulation are complementary therapies that claim to relieve symptoms, but there is limited evidence for them.
What advice can childcare practitioners give to parents?
Coping with a colicky baby can be incredibly exhausting and distressing for parents, especially if it's a first child. Not being able to calm their child can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety or depression and affect bonding.
It's important to emphasise to parents that it is not their fault and that they are doing a good job of caring for their child. Tell them that it is all right to leave the baby in a safe place, such as a cot, for a few minutes to give themselves a chance to calm down if the crying is getting on their nerves. Asking for help is not a sign of being a bad parent, so encourage them to get a partner, family member or friend to give them a break if at all possible.
Meeting other parents of young babies is often invaluable, so signpost parent groups and sessions that they can attend in their local area.
Further information
CRY-SIS is a national charity providing help and advice to families whose babies cry excessively. Visit www.cry-sis.org.uk
