Colic - what you need to know

Colic is experienced by 1 in 5 babies. Colic isn’t an illness and won’t harm your baby’s health or have any long-term effects, but it’s a tough thing to go through for all involved – babies and parents. It can break your heart and test your patience all at the same time.

The most common sign of colic is that your baby cries uncontrollably for several hours at a time. Your little one is considered colicky if they have tick all of the following for 1 full week:

• A baby who is <5 months of age when the symptoms start and stop
• A baby who is experiencing recurrent and prolonged periods of crying, fussing, or irritability without an obvious cause and cannot be prevented or resolved
• A baby that is NOT experiencing failure to thrive, fever, or illness

While it’s not harmful to them, it’s still very distressing. No parent likes to see their little angel upset and in discomfort. Unfortunately, no one knows for sure what causes colic in babies, but it has been linked to excess air being swallowed during feeding, trapped wind, sensitivities to milk or the fact their little digestive system is still developing.

• Babies cry. That’s not new news! When they’re wet, hungry, frightened, or even tired. But if you’ve tried all the above and they are still crying, inconsolably, it’s most likely colic
• Bringing their little legs up to their chest
• Clenching their tiny fists
• Becoming flushed in the face

If your little one suffers from Colic, don’t worry as there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Colic usually disappears by the time your baby is 3months.

In the meantime, comfort them as best you can and ask for help when you need it. Caring for a colicky baby can be very stressful, and you need to take regular breaks to keep yourself sane. Tag in your partner, a relative or a friend while you go for a walk, have a nice long hot bath or even have a good cry yourself (you’ll feel much better after it).