Infants Colics

Colic in Infants

Though extremely distressing not just for the mother but for the entire family colic in infant is a very common syndrome, from which nearly 25% of all new born babies in the world suffer. Crying is common for babies – but when that crying is not just being fussy and fidgety but turns into long wails and extends for a long period of time, it is indeed a matter of great concern. Interestingly, colic in infant appears during the first few weeks after birth and disappears as magically as it came, when the baby is about 3 or 4 months old. Because the baby can not express himself at this stage and seems otherwise healthy, the parents are often thrown in a quandary, as to how to handle colic in infant.

But are all crying babies colicky? Not really. Pediatricians follow a "Rule of Three" to diagnose colic: "A baby that cries for three or more hours per day, at least three times per week, within a three month period". Wess, et al., "Paroxysmas fussing in infancy." Pediatrics 1984:74:998. You could also watch out for these typical signs of colic in your baby. In fact, one of the biggest differences between the crying of a colicky and a normal baby is that the crying is prolonged, happens more or less at the same time during day or night, the crying would usually follow a feed and colic in infant would make him restless and sleepless.

There is no universally accepted cause for colic in infant. Theories range from gas trapped in the baby’s intestinal tract, to inadequate quantities of good intestinal flora, called Lactobacillus acidophilus, trauma during birth, mother’s smoking during the third trimester, etc. There are is another school of thought who blames the baby’s immature nervous system and poor digestive system which are responsible for colic in infants. But the most commonly accepted cause for colic in infant is gas, bloating and flatulence. This apparently causes the baby to cry incessantly despite all your efforts to calm the infant. Research at the Colic Clinic at Brown University has shown that nearly 50% of all babies with colic have mild gastro-esophageal reflux as well. Other cases could be due to the baby’s intolerance or sensitivity to lactose as well. Interestingly, these causes of colic in infant which are related to pre-natal stress, trauma during birth etc. which result in the baby’s crying, are often thought to be a healthy stress-relieving formula which requires support rather than suppression or even cure.

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