When a baby is colicky it can sometimes make their parents feel as if they are powerless, unable to help their newborn child from the discomfort that they are feeling in any way. Although most parents may feel like this time period is the torturous beginning to a long and powerless journey filled with their child’s screams and cries, there are specific techniques that parents can use to help their colicky baby and techniques to help them cope with this stressful period. The baby experts here at Poopie FunTv are here to assist you in creating a better understanding of what your colicky newborn is going through, assisting you in learning how you can make the most out of this somewhat stressful experience!
What Exactly is Colic?
Colic is when a baby is experiencing fits of intensive, exhaustive, and extensive crying. These fits will most likely last for more than 3 hours each day that they occur and can occur for more than 3 days each week. These exhausting crying and screaming fit usually happen to babies that are between the ages of 3 weeks and 3 months old. Intense episodes of colic usually occur during the evenings and will begin to come to a head at around 6 weeks of age. Professionals are not really sure what causes babies to become colicky, but they think that it has to do with the undeveloped and unformed digestive system of the colicky baby. Other ideas as to what can lead to colic episodes in babies include differential reactions to family or environmental stressors, specific food intolerances, or maybe it is just a developmental stage that some babies, and their exhausted parents, need to go through. Whatever the true cause may be, episodes of colic leave babies appearing as though they are incredibly uncomfortable and make new parents extremely miserable, wishing they could snap their fingers and stop their baby’s cries. However, there can be a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to dealing with colicky babies. Let’s take a closer look at the specific symptoms you should look out for if you are suspicious of your baby having colic.
The Symptoms of Colic:
It is entirely normal for babies to sometimes be fussy, crying off and on fir differential time periods. However, babies who have colic will cry and scream out more than most babies, even though they are exhibiting signs of complete health normalcy. Other symptoms that will point towards colic are:
- Crying for no apparent reason. A reason that a baby may be crying when they are hungry or if they need their diaper changed. However, if your baby is experiencing an episode of colic, then they will be crying without any true evident reason, such as the ones that were listed above.
- Crying at about the same time every day. When a baby has colic, they will usually endure a crying episode at the same time each day, usually towards the late afternoon or nighttime. If your baby isn’t experiencing crying episodes at the same time during the day or night, that doesn’t mean that your baby doesn’t have colic. Colic crying episodes can occur at any point within the day.
- Clenching their fists. Babies who have colic tend to clench their fists while they are crying, or they will curl their legs up in the air.
- Turning bright red. A baby who has colic will most likely begin to turn bright red while they’re crying. This is due to the strenuous force that they are exhibiting while crying, which can cause some parents to stress out or worry for the health of their baby. This is entirely normal for a colicky baby to experience.
- Excessive gas. When a baby cries for extended periods of time, they will swallow large amounts of air. This can potentially cause your baby to become extremely gassy. The excessive gas can even make their stomach look as though it is swollen or extended, and they might show some relief after passing gas or pooping.
How Exactly is Colic Diagnosed?
Usually, your baby’s doctor will be able to diagnose whether or not he or she has colic after performing a number of differential and extensive tests. They will usually perform a physical exam and perform an extensive review of the symptoms that your baby has exhibited and will look over your child’s health history.
Can The formation or Diagnosis of Colic Be Prevented?
No, the diagnosis of colic cannot be prevented. However, there are a number of treatments that you can incorporate into your baby’s everyday routine and lifestyle in order to decrease their colic symptoms.
- Consistently Feed Your Baby: When your baby has colic you need to keep track of everything they are eating and drinking. If you are breastfeeding your child, then you must avoid caffeine, chocolate, dairy products, and nuts as these products can act as stimulants and your baby can potentially be allergic to them, leading to more colicky episodes. If you are not breastfeeding your baby and are only relying on baby formula, you may want to think about switching to a different formula. Your baby could be experiencing colic because they are sensitive to certain proteins within the formula that they are consuming.
- Hold Your Baby As Much As Possible: Babies who experience colic may respond well if you hold your baby across your arm or across your lap while you are massaging their back. You can even rock your baby or place them in a swing to provide them with comfort.
Poopie FunTv has all the expertise that you need to deal with your colicky baby. We have the ability to provide you with a number of different techniques that can calm both you and your baby down. Having a colicky baby is definitely stressful, but when you utilize these techniques you and your baby will be able to return to a relaxing lifestyle.
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