Babies are usually fussy. The only language they know, infants cry when hungry. They do not like wet nappies, so crying they go just to tell mommy time to change. And they just seem to break loose when it is time to sleep, it just isn't possible to sleep on her own, just doesn't happen. When they get satisfied, home is at peace at last. But there seems to be a specific time of day that baby starts to cry uncontrollably, sometimes awfully fierce, in just a few minutes or it could even last for 3 hours. It seems that they are in so much misery, it pains moms too.
What Causes Colic?
Colic is one of the most common stomachaches in babies but there has never been a scientific explanation about the condition as per BabyCenter. Usually after a crying bout, the baby burps and is finally comforted. No cure has been proven effective and it happens in breast fed and bottle fed babies. A tentative study was done on probiotics but it has not been finalized. So when parents know that baby is only having Colic, it is also helpful to know when warning signs come up, of a more serious problem with baby. Mayoclinic.Com enumerates what are the things to watch out from: when baby's lips or skin turns bluish during the crying bout, or when the infant's eating, sleeping or behavior suddenly switching patterns. This is the best time to ask the help of the family doctor, and when this happens, it is always necessary to have a journal for baby's daily developments or milestones.
Soothing Colicky Babies
Parents.Com suggests some soothing things that baby likes. Wrapping baby with some warm and soft blanket, cradling or rocking infants slowly and making shhh sounds, will usually comfort angry babies. Soft lullabies are always a hit. Babylogy mentioned that Infants are sometimes rather easy to find relief, even with just a simple soft caress, it quiets them. Newborn babies until 5-6 months miss mommy's warm and noisy tummy so they are soothed when they hear or feel something similar to their experience in her tummy.
Lifestyle changes may help manage babies' Colic. It could help if babies are fed in small but frequent portions to help their tummies. When feeding, an upright posture would also let burping easier and faster. Be mindful of allergens that might cause more discomfort. It might also be useful if parents know that smoking is hazardous to infants. There have been suggestions that colicky babies were exposed to smoking moms while still in the womb.
So, when everything else seem to fail, and when all the hysterical cries that baby makes seem too much, parents need to relax and take a break. This is a great time to examine feelings. Rest and sleep usually are good for health.
