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First time moms and dads, may think that a baby who is crying inconsolably for hours at a time may have something seriously wrong. Why is your baby crying all the time and you are not able to soothe him or her? One possibility, common among babies, is colic. The cause of colic is still unknown. Colic is when an otherwise healthy baby cries for extended periods of time. Babies cry often, it’s their only form of communication to let parents know that he or she needs something. To be considered colic, crying periods should last at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for more than 3 weeks. Yuk! Some babies have more severe cases of colic than others. Breast fed babies are as likely to get colic as bottle fed babies. Boys and girls are just as likely to have colic as the other, as are first born or subsequent born babies. Colic usually begins when baby is around 2 weeks old and can last up to a year, but more often than not ends around the third month. Colic is not a sign of baby’s overall health; however, when unexplained crying first starts a visit to the pediatrician to rule other physical conditions out is advised. There are some things that may help soothe a colicky baby: hold baby, keep baby in motion, take baby outside if weather permits, sing to baby, rub baby or offer a pacifier. While few of these acts are likely to stop crying in a colicky baby, they will often soften the discomfort and cries. Babies with colic can take a toll on the family. As a practical matter, babies don’t die from crying so at times when you are at your wits end, put baby in a safe place like a baby swing, his or her crib or a bouncy seat and leave the room. A few minutes of silence will go a long way toward a parent’s ability to calmly deal with a screaming baby. Learn more about baby journal at our baby health care website.
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