What Is Colic? What Causes Colic?What are the symptoms of colic?What causes colic?

What Is Colic? What Causes Colic?

olic is an attack of crying and what appears to be abdominal pain in early infancy (babies). Colic is a common condition and is estimated to affect at least 20% of babies during their first few months.

All babies cry for various reasons; hunger, cold, tiredness, heat, or because the diaper (nappy) needs changing. However, a baby may cry even after being well fed, cleaned, nicely wrapped up and well cared for. If a baby has repeated episodes of inconsolable crying, but appears to be healthy and well, he/she may have colic.

Colic usually appears a few weeks after birth and carries on until the baby is about three to four months old. Even though the baby may scream for all he/she is worth, colic is not dangerous or harmful. Experts say colic has no long-term effects and a baby with colic will gain weight and feed normally.

For parents, seeing a baby cry inconsolably can be distressing and upsetting, making them feel that they are either doing things wrongly or letting their child down. It is important to remember that, if it is colic, it is a common phase which will eventually go away and has nothing to do with bad parenting. Colic is relatively short-lived - in a matter of weeks or months one of the first major challenges of parenthood will be over.

What are the symptoms of colic?

The following symptoms will appear in an otherwise healthy and well fed baby:

• Intense crying - the baby cries intensely and furiously, and there is not much the parents can do to comfort him/her. The baby's face will become red and flushed. Crying episodes tend to occur at the same time every day - generally during the late afternoon or evening. Episodes may last from a few minutes to much longer periods. Crying usually starts suddenly and for no apparent reason.


• Baby's posture - fists may be clenched, tensed abdominal muscles, knees drawn up, and the back arched.


• Sleeping - sleep may be irregular and interrupted with episodes of crying.


• Feeding - feeding may also be interrupted and irregular with episodes of intense crying. However, the amount the baby eats each day is not reduced.


• Wind - during episodes of intense crying the baby may pass wind.


• Varying intensities - with some babies symptoms are mild and the baby may only experience periods of restlessness.

If you think the baby's crying may be the result of an injury or fall seek medical attention. If you notice any change in the baby's general behavior, eating habits or sleeping patterns that concern you, ask your doctor or nurse for advice.

What causes colic?

Experts suggest wind or indigestion may be involved - but nobody really knows what the causes of colic are. Some wonder whether the baby's gut is immature and sensitive to some of the substances in breast or formula milk. Milk allergies and lactose intolerance have similar symptoms to those of colic. These theories are not supported by evidence.