Colic is the term for excessive crying by a baby aged 2 weeks to 4 months old. Doctors generally diagnose colic when the baby has been crying three or more hours each day, three or more days each week for at least three weeks. It usually occurs in the late afternoon or evening. Symptoms include reddened face, legs pulled up toward stomach, closed fists and loud screams, along with inconsolable crying. While many theories have been proposed, no clear cause exists. Most babies grow out of their colic by 4 months old.
Holding
MedlinePlus explains that holding the baby is one of the best ways to relieve colic. This can involve singing, gentle rocking and walking around with the baby. A sling works well if the parent's arms become tired. Holding the baby early in the day may help reduce evening colic. Some babies like to be swaddled as they are held. Gentle rocking of a baby can also help him get rid of gas due to swallowed air while crying; this can help reduce further crying due to gas distress.
Massaging
A warm bath followed by a light massage may soothe the baby. It may be helpful to massage the tummy as well as the back, arms and legs.
Pacifer
MayoClinic.com explains that many babies are soothed by sucking on a pacifier. This can be helpful whether the baby bottle-feeds or breast-feeds.
Motion
Some colicky babies are soothed by motion. An infant old enough to be placed in a swing may enjoy swinging for a short period of time. Some parents have success from placing the child in a car seat and driving around for a little while.
Background Noise
Some babies are soothed by repetitive background noise. This can be produced by a sound machine or CD designed for that purpose but a household apparatus, such as an exhaust fan, may work just as well.
Feeding Changes
Many parents feel that their children's colic is related to the digestive tract. This is often not the case and changing a child from breast-feeding to bottle-feeding due to colic is generally not recommended. It may be helpful for a breastfeeding mother to empty one breast before offering the other one, giving the baby a richer milk. A breastfeeding mother may want to try eliminating caffeine from her diet in case it is overstimulating the baby. Nuts can also be eliminated for a trial period in case the baby is developing an allergy to them. Occasionally, a pediatrician may change a bottle-feeding baby's formula in at attempt to reduce colic. If a baby drinks her bottle in less than 20 minutes, the nipple may be too large--a situation that may trigger colic, reports MedlinePlus.
