If your baby has unexplained crying jags, he may have a condition called colic. The Mayo Clinic defines colic as crying for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or more. It usually starts at about three weeks of age, and continues until the baby is about three months old, at which time it usually tapers off and ends. While there is no cure for colic, you can take steps to relieve your baby's discomfort and crying.
Feeding
In some cases, something in your baby's diet, or in your diet if you are breastfeeding, may be causing her colic. If you are nursing, feed your baby on demand, whenever she starts to fuss in hunger. For most young babies, this is every two to three hours. Cut potentially irritating foods, such as citrus fruits, caffeine, gas-producing vegetables and spicy foods, from your own diet. If you bottle-feed your baby, ask her pediatrician whether you should switch baby formulas. A formula based on cows' milk might be causing her symptoms. Do not switch your baby's formula without talking to her doctor first.
Relieving Gas
Your baby's discomfort may stem from painful gas bubbles. Hold him upright after a feeding and burp him often during the feeding to help release air. Carrying him around can encourage him to pass gas, and has the added benefit of calming him down. Lay him across your lap on his tummy and gently rub his back. Do not put him to bed on his tummy, because this may raise his risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. Bicycling your baby's legs while he lies on his back can also help release gas pressure.
Other Soothing Techniques
Your baby may simply need to be soothed and calmed. While she cries and gasps, she may be swallowing air, which contributes to gas pains. She may enjoy a ride in the car or an outing in the stroller. Try carrying her in a sling to keep her close to your body. A warm bath may help her calm down, or she might prefer to suck on a pacifier. She may also respond to a white noise machine or the hum of a fan or vacuum cleaner.
Considerations
Ask your baby's doctor whether you should give him simethicone drops. These are over-the-counter infant drops that pass through the intestines and break up gas bubbles. Do not give your baby any medications, including herbal or homeopathic remedies, without talking to his doctor first. If you are concerned about your baby's crying, take him in for a physical evaluation to rule out any serious illnesses. If his crying is frustrating you to the point where you feel you might lose control of yourself, leave the baby in a safe place, such as his crib, and immediately call someone for help. Never shake your baby.
