A new baby with colic is one of the most difficult problems a new parent has to cope with. Most new parents are under pressure trying to deal with a new routine and lack of sleep, the added burden of a crying infant you seem powerless to help can be overwhelming. The only comfort that can be offered is, with 1 in 5 babies developing colic, many other parents are suffering too and that by the time the baby is four months old the problem normally disappears.

The normal symptoms of colic are continuous loud crying, flexing and extending the legs, clenching fists and often a distended tummy. Very often this occurs in the late afternoon or early evening, although it can happen at any time.

So what is colic and is there a remedy for it? There are many possible causes, but initially the most important thing that a parent must do is establish that the child is actually suffering from colic and there is not another reason for the crying. Colic, however distressed the baby seems, is not life threatening, but it is essential not to assume a crying baby has colic, check with your doctor immediately.

Once colic has been diagnosed you should try to identify the cause. If you are breastfeeding avoid foods that are likely to cause gas. Make a note of what you are eating, baby may be intolerant to something in your diet, including dairy products. If the baby is bottle fed your doctor may suggest a change of formula. Don’t overfeed the baby, we all know that bloated feeling when we have overeaten, so why shouldn’t baby feel the same. Try hard not to get stressed, I know this isn’t easy but many experts believe that babies are sensitive to stress around them and react. It’s a catch 22 situation, the more crying the greater the stress. Try to take turns in dealing with the crying baby, even rope in grandparents or a close friend so that you can walk away for 30minutes.

A continuous soothing sound such as a washing machine or tumbledryer often works. There are CD’s available that can help and I found that a tape of sea waves worked well, particularly when gently rocking the child.

Seek your doctor’s advice on medicines, he may recommend some colic relief. If colic has been diagnosed but there is any change in the baby’s behaviour, go straight back to your doctor, it’s better to err on the safe side.

Finally remember that it will pass, in a few months that screaming bundle will be toddling about getting into more mischief than you can possibly imagine!

This article is for information only. You should always consult your doctor before commencing any treatment and no liability is accepted.

About the Author:
Margaret Tye runs the FromTots2Teens website that offers information on supplies for children of all ages as well as advice on health and other child and teenage related problems.

A common problem many times facing parents is Colic. Estimates say that between 15-25% of infants are born with Colic. Although it is not believed to effect a baby’s development it is still a struggle for parents to cope with. Babies with colic most often cry for several hours at a time with diaper changes and feedings having no effect.

Some of the symptoms that your little one may have colic are (but not limited to) as follows:

1. A high pitched cry that does not let up in intensity, sometimes for hours at a time
2. Pulls their legs towards their chest or holds them straight out
3. Face becoming flush and warm while legs feel cooler
4. Held breathes
5. Painful facial expressions

Unlike many other childhood ailments, there is no one specific reason a baby may have colic. There are several factors however that may exasperate colic.

They include:

1. Lack of Burping
2. Food Allergies
3. Swallowing Air
4. Overfeeding or Eating too fast
5. A tense home environment

The good news is that the symptoms usually disappear at about the 4 month mark. In the meantime here are some tips on minimizing those symptoms.

1. After each ounce or few minutes of formula, burp them.
2. Do not feed them while they are lying down
3. Go for a ride in the car or try a gentle rocking while walking.
4. Play white noise for them. There are many options in white noise now including lullabies playing in the forefront. Constant noise like Vacuum Cleaners and Fans are also very helpful in some cases and can be purchased on CD to avoid drafts or other issues. These can be purchased from the author of this article at www.yourfavouriteshop.com
5. A warm bath with a few drops of chamomile essential oil to the water to help them to relax further.
6. Change to a low-allergy formula or switch to a soy based one.
7. If you are breast feeding, avoid tea and coffee

Above all you should always consult your physician to discuss the different symptoms. You should always be aware that the symptoms listed above may also be indications of ear infections, allergies, etc. so it is important to discuss everything candidly with your pediatrician.

About The Author
Jason Rickard is the owner of www.yourfavouriteshop.com – European Reseller of White Noise and Relaxation CDs *Article may be reprinted provided it is not altered and links are live.* sales@yourfavouriteshop.com

10-20% of all infants are bitten by the nasty colic bug. Colic can start during the first few months of life and can last up to six months of age. Colic is described as unexplainable crying that occurs at least 3 days a week and lasts more than 3 hours at a time. It normally begins in the evening, but some babies will show signs of colic in the early hours as well.

If your baby has colic it will seem as if it is impossible to console him. He won’t want to eat, won’t sleep, his diaper will be dry and clean, and yet he will be crying. Often times your baby will show signs of abdominal pain by arching his back, or will have a hard tight belly that you can tell is full of gas.

While gas in babies is thought to be a possible cause of colic, doctors have not determined and definitive cause or found a cure to help your baby feel better. Some researchers believe colic is caused by a baby swallowing too much air while sucking, while others believe that it starts in babies’ intestines. Some people think it is related to cow’s milk in formula or the dairy that comes through the breast milk.

Everyone agrees that breast milk is best for your baby for the baby’s first year of life. If you are breastfeeding and your baby has colic you can try to change your diet to help him. Some pediatricians will recommend that you simply cut out foods that are known to cause gas like garlic, onion, caffeine and broccoli. Others will tell you to cut out wheat products. Some will recommend going on an elimination diet which cuts out most food except white meat protein and a small handful of plain veggies. This might be hard for you to do, especially if you have other small kids and a partner at home with whom you sit and eat meals together regularly. It is also not guaranteed to work, however if it does it is worth the inconvenience to be able to continue nursing your baby for the entire first year of life.

For the moms who can not breastfeed or choose to place their babies on formula, there are special formulas created and designed to try and help ease the crying for your baby. These include gentler formulas for gassy bellies, soy formulas and colic specific formulas like the Enfamil Lipil family of products.

If your baby has colic and you can not console him, try to remain patient. The endless nights of crying are bound to get to any parent. Remember it is ok to switch off parenting duty with your partner, call grandma to give you a break, or just leave your baby in his bed while you take a bath to relax for a few minutes. Also remember that colic does not last forever and that by the time your baby is six months old you will probably have that happy smiling baby you dreamed about during your pregnancy.