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What is colic? -

Colic is a relatively common condition that can affect one in four infants. Usually, colic involves incessant crying and gastrointestinal irritation.

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Who is most affected? -

Studies show that colic is equally likely across regions and demographics, and shows no correlation with class, ethnicity, or gender. Colic can also affect adults, but colic in adulthood is far rarer.

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Colic and adulthood -

Adults, who are naturally far more able to control their emotions and hence their crying, experience colic differently than infants do. Adulthood colic is characterized by inexplicable abdominal pain that can be severe in some cases, but naturally goes away on its own in a matter of weeks.

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The rule of threes -

Colic in infants is usually recognized through what is known as the rule of threes. The "three" in question are: crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, during a period more than three weeks long.

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What causes colic? -

Experts have yet to agree on what exactly causes babies to develop colic, but there are a number of theories that are generally accepted.

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Sensitive babies in a sensory world -

As anyone can imagine, being a baby is hard. Experiencing the world for the first time, with all of its smells, sounds, and sights can feel like sensory overload. Some doctors believe that the incessant crying that is the main symptom of colic is the sign of an anxious baby who is having trouble acclimating to their new world.

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Unable to self-soothe -

A similar theory involves a baby's ability to soothe itself in times of stress. Babies without colic often forget about whatever it is they're unhappy about in a matter of minutes and can return to happily bobbling about with ease. Some believe that colic babies aren't any more stressed than other babies, but simply aren't able to control their nervous system well enough to soothe themselves in a timely manner.

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Infant intolerance -

Babies can also be far more susceptible to food intolerances than children or adults, and their caretakers are rarely aware of these allergies so early on. Some doctors think that painful dairy intolerance in particular can lead to irritated and colicky infants.

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Excessive crying -

Crying is the primary symptom of colic in infants, and certainly the most noticeable. Colic babies frequently suffer from extended fits of crying that can last from three to six hours.

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Hitting a new note -

Colic crying is also different from an infant's normal cries in a number of ways. A colic baby's cries are frequently much louder and reach a much higher pitch than those of other babies, and can sound far more urgent.

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Gassy babies -

Regardless of the assumed cause of an infant's colic, frequent burping and flatulence almost always occurs. This is most often caused by a child swallowing excessive amounts of air during their heavy bouts of sobbing.

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Tense and tight -

Crying, as most people know, can be exhausting, and can cause a lot of abdominal stress. A mixture of incessant flexing of the abdominal muscles and swallowing too much air can lead to a baby's stomach becoming tight and twisted.

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Diagnosing colic -

A diagnosis of colic is mostly based on how well the rule of threes applies to a child. Physicians may also take a blood sample to look for any allergies or intolerances that might be causing the baby discomfort.

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How to help a colic baby -

Caring for a colic baby can be sad and distressing; no one enjoys seeing a baby in pain. Thankfully, symptoms of colic go away on their own after a few months, and there are many ways to help in the meantime.

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Soothing strategies -

Adults are far better equipped to soothe an unhappy child than the child themself is. There are many practices that parents and caretakers can try out to not only ease an infant's discomfort, but also to help foster a deeper bond with the child.

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Warmth and swaddling -

Swaddling infants is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Wrapping a baby up tight in soft fabric and holding them close works wonders.

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Limiting stimulation -

Since overstimulation is a common cause of colic, it can help to keep sensory stimulation down to a minimum. Keeping an infant in warm, quiet environments with low light can help put an infant at ease.

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Soothing sounds -

White noise and other therapeutic sounds can also help make a baby more comfortable. Playing heartbeats or calm nature sounds can be essential in building a more comfortable environment for a colic baby.

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Movement -

Taking the baby out of the house for some fresh air and change of scenery can be just what an uncomfortable infant needs. Doctors may recommend taking colic babies out for strolls around the block or even for car rides.

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Upright feeding -

Parents and caretakers can help ease a baby's digestion by holding the baby upright during feeding instead of on their backs. Curved bottles are a great tool to help with upright feeding.

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Changing the baby's diet -

Food intolerances or not, a baby's stomach can be soothed by dietary changes. Using special baby formulas that provide proteins that are broken down into small parts can help make digestion easier for the baby.

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Changes in maternal diet -

For babies who breastfeed, changes in the maternal diet can also help with digestion. Avoiding foods with common allergens such as wheat and lactose can aid in providing an easier milk for infants.

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Alternative treatments -

Alternative treatments are also available for colic babies, but should only be sought out with the recommendation of a medical professional. Massage therapy and chiropractic therapy are sometimes used to treat the symptoms of colic.

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Future treatments -

Colic has likely been a condition since the dawn of humans, and treatment procedures have remained relatively stagnant, but experts are still looking for more effective avenues. One possible treatment that is being looked into involves administering probiotics to colic babies in order to help their digestion.

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Staying sane as a parent -

It's no secret that the incessant cries of a colic baby can be grating on the nerves of any parent or caretaker, regardless of how much love is in their heart. It is essential that caretakers take care of their own health and emotions so that they can provide the patient the loving support that every child needs.

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Give yourself a break -

No one should have to bear the brunt of caring for a colic baby's discomfort and the loud, sleepless nights that come with it. If you're taking care of a baby with colic, it's important that you have your own support system of loved ones who can step in when you need a break.

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Talk with friends and family -

Expressing yourself and talking about your feelings is always important, especially when you're navigating the complicated path of parenthood. Don't be afraid to lean on your friends and family for emotional support.

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Colic isn't your fault -

Even with all of the information about colic that's available, some parents and caretakers can't help but think that there's something they could have done differently to spare their child from the pain of colic. Be careful with these thoughts; they can lead to unfounded feelings of guilt and despair that aren't helpful to anyone.

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Put it into perspective -

Caring for a baby in the throes of colic can seem like an endless, insurmountable hardship. Even though the condition usually only ever lasts for a few months, exhaustion and frustration can make it feel much longer. It's important that parents and caretakers remind themselves that colic is, in fact, a short-lived condition, and there is still an entire lifetime of joy and happiness waiting ahead.

Sources: (Mayo Clinic) (Johns Hopkins Medicine) (American Academy of Family Physicians)

See also: Baby's first year—How to prepare for and prevent illnesses

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