Colic is the term used to describe prolonged periods of crying by a newborn on a regular basis. Some fussiness is normal for babies; colic is defined by the Mayo Clinic as crying for more than three hours per day at least three times a week. Although colic causes no long-term medical complications, you might experience some short-term problems.
Stomach Upset
According to the Colic Calm website, a baby with the disorder might show signs of bloating or gas. Although the exact cause of colic is unknown, it might be caused by an immature digestive system, and the muscles that support the digestive process are not fully developed. As the infant suffers from colic, gas and bloating symptoms worsen from swallowing air while crying. If you expect stomach upset is causing the crying fits, try changing the baby's formula with the approval from her pediatrician. If you are breastfeeding, try to eliminate caffeine, spicy foods and dairy products to see if her symptoms improve.
Sleep Deprivation
You and your colicky infant might be deprived of sleep by his frequent bouts of crying. It is not easy to ignore the screams of a colicky infant; the Mayo Clinic describes cries from a colicky infant as intense with a high pitch. The good news is that by 3 months old, colic symptoms have improved in most newborns. If you have a newborn with colic, try to sleep when the baby sleeps if possible to avoid sleep deprivation.
Relationship Strain
You and your partner might feel some strain in your relationship as you try to manage a colicky infant. Although there are medications available, such as simethicone gas drops, these products have not been proven effective. You might have to wait for the baby to outgrow the colic, which can cause irritability in the meantime between you and your partner. It is important to stay positive and know that the colic phase is temporary.
