The frequent, intense, prolonged fussiness and crying of a young child associated with colic can occur for no reason and be inconsolable. While colic can be a disruptive and stressful condition that peaks around the six-week mark, the symptoms tend to steeply decline after 3 to 4 months of age. Let’s take a closer look at colic and how you and your pediatrician can alleviate its effects.
While the cause of colic is unknown, there are several contributing factors that can lead to its development. These factors include:
These are only a few factors that can contribute to colic in infants. The characteristics of colic developing late in the first month of life and its inconsistencies among infants, the time of day that it occurs, and the frequency and duration make it difficult for researchers to account for specific causes.
While babies can be fussy by nature, excessive crying and distressed behavior be can be a sign of colic. If your infant cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three consecutive weeks, colic is the likely culprit. During these episodes it is common for your baby to experience:
The primary approach to treating colic is based on soothing the infant. Through different interventions and applications, you can relieve the stress that is causing the baby’s fussiness. Some effective soothing methods include:
Inconsolable crying can also be a sign of other illnesses or conditions that need to be addressed. If you believe your newborn is experiencing colic, or any other health concern, the expert staff of pediatricians and nurses at Lane Pediatrics can help.