Understanding the Colic Symptoms

What is colic? Colic condition is a medical term used to describe the uncontrollable crying seen in healthy babies. It is natural for babies to cry, the obvious reasons being hunger, wetness, fear, etc. However, when a baby cries excessively, with its shrieks becoming higher than usual, with sudden starts and stops of crying episodes, it may indicate colic symptoms. So how do you determine if a baby has a colic condition and ensure treatment at the earliest stages? Continue reading to know more about the common symptoms, causes, and other preventive measures for colic conditions in babies. 

Colic Symptoms

Here are a few common symptoms discussed that can help you gauge whether your baby is undergoing colic conditions. 

• Crying around the same time each day
• Turning a bright red face when they are crying
• Crying without any reason. For example, if they don’t need a diaper change, or are not hungry 
• A tight belly
• Stiff arms and clenched fists when crying
• Being loud and high if they are in pain
• Abnormal burping or passing of gas
• Swollen or hard abdomen
• Leg curled up over the tummy

What Causes Colic Conditions in Babies?

Colic babies are very stressful to handle, and it is usually said to be at its peak when a baby is around 6 weeks old. Some of the common colic causes are listed below:

• A lot of stimulation
• Excitement, frustration, or fear
• Milk allergy
• Gas
• A developing nervous system
• Food allergies
• Inflammation in the brain or nervous system
• Overfeeding or underfeeding
• An early form of migraine
• Underdeveloped digestive system
• Injury to muscles, fingers, or bones
• Uneven heartbeat

How Common Is Colic?

Colitis is a primary condition that affects 20% of babies worldwide. This can be frustrating for parents and they are often tired. These episodes usually happen in the evening. Colic affects all babies regardless of ethnicity, gender, feeding preference, birth order, and socioeconomic status. 

How Long Does Colic Last? 

Colic can be frightening to watch for first-time parents. This is not harmful to your baby’s health. Mostly, colic lasts in your baby until around 3 to 4 months old. 

Colic vs Reflux

Colic	Reflux
Occurs in babies at around two weeks old	Occurs before your little one is eight weeks old
It gets worse in the evening	It gets worse when lying back or after feeding
Normal growth and weight gain	Difficulty in gaining weight
Crying without any cause for more than three hours a day	Crying due to a specific reason
Uncomfortable lying down	Digestive discomfort
Crying for prolonged periods	Frequent vomiting
Swollen abdomen, curled legs, red face, and passing gas	Sore throat, nausea, asthma, and burning feeling

 

How to Ease Colic in Newborns?

Listening to a baby cry is very distressing, more so for a colic baby, whose shrieks last for long periods and are high-pitched. There are no particular theories, but numerous ones about why babies have colic tendencies. However, as long as your baby grows normally and any other chances of infection and health problems are eliminated, you can stop worrying too much about your colic baby. Some of the preventive measures are listed below:

1. Modify the Diet 

Some food ingredients, such as alcohol, spices, and caffeine, may cause colic in the infant. You can cut off these beverages and foods from their diet to prevent colic symptoms. Avoiding all dairy products from the diet also works well. Consult a doctor to decide on the right healthy dairy-free diet. Removing chocolate is another key measure advised. 

2. Deal with Allergy

You can try a hypoallergenic formula if your baby is sensitive to cow’s milk and soy. When your baby is facing lactose intolerance, lactase drops may help them with colic. 

3. Feeding Measures 

Holding the baby in the correct position when feeding may help to reduce the swallowed air. Burping is another recommendation for the prevention of colic. You can hold the baby against the shoulder and gently pat on the back to expel the swallowed gas. Keep an absorbent cloth over the shoulder because some milk may be ejected with gas. 

4. Comforting Your Baby 

There are several ways to comfort your baby. Some of the best ways are listed below:

• Singing or talking
• Skin-to-skin contact
• Walking while they are in your arms or stroller
• Rhythmic vibration and noise
• Wrapping them in a cozy blanket
• Warm baths
• Patting your baby’s chest or back

Colic Relief Tips for Parents

Look at these colic relief tips that are helpful for parents: 

• Never overfeed your baby, which makes them more uncomfortable. 
• Introduce a pacifier for your baby. 
• Avoid milk products, onions, caffeine, and other irritating foods from your diet when you are nursing.
• Provide a steady rhythmic motion for your baby to fall asleep. 
• Make sure your baby has a clean diaper. 
• Hold your baby close to your body and rub their back. 
• Wrap them in a thin or large blanket for better secureness.

Colic Myths & Facts

There are several myths regarding colic babies. A few of them are listed below:

• Myth: It is easy to spoil a baby by comforting or holding them. 
• Fact: Holding or comforting a baby during a colic condition does not spoil them. It only eases or consoles them during continuous crying.
• Myth: Colic improves by using rice cereal.
• Fact:  No, colic conditions in babies do not improve by using rice cereal.
• Myth: Babies cry to manipulate you. 
• Fact:  Babies cry to communicate, not manipulate you. 

What if a Baby Doesn’t Stop Crying?

Caring for a colicky baby can be hard in various situations. Follow these things if your baby doesn’t stop crying:

• Gently rub your baby’s arm, back, and legs. 
• Closely hold your baby and comfort them. 
• Call your family member or friend for support. 
• Never shake a baby too much. 

Listening to a baby cry is very distressing and might last for long periods. There are no particular theories but numerous ones about why babies have colic tendencies. However, as long as your baby grows normally and any other chances of infection and health problems are eliminated, you can stop worrying too much about your colic baby. Consulting a pediatrician and handling your baby with extra care is all you can do, along with prescribed anti-gas medicines, which doctors usually prescribe in such cases. Once a baby reaches about 3-4 months of age, it becomes fine and the colic symptoms recede.

FAQs About Colic in Babies

1. How long does colic usually last?

Colic typically lasts until around 3 to 4 months old. In many babies, symptoms ease as the digestive system matures. 

2. Is colic harmful to my baby?

No — colic is not harmful. Though distressing, healthy weight gain and normal growth usually continue despite crying episodes. 

3. What triggers colic symptoms?

Possible triggers include gas, overstimulation, food sensitivities (e.g. dairy), digestive immaturity, or even bright lights and loud noises. 

4. What’s the difference between colic and reflux?

Colic is intense, unexplained crying, often in the evening, with gas or tummy discomfort. Reflux usually includes spitting up or symptoms similar to heartburn.

5. Can changing mom’s diet help colic in breastfed babies?

Yes—some mothers eliminate dairy, caffeine, spicy foods, or gas-producing foods to see if symptoms improve. Always consult a pediatrician first.

6. Are there safe remedies to relieve colic?

Yes — gentle motion (rocking), white noise, swaddling, feeding in upright positions, and burping frequently can help ease colic.

7. When should I see a doctor for colic?

Seek medical help if baby has poor weight gain, fever, blood in stool, vomiting, or if crying is unusually painful or prolonged beyond colic patterns.

8. Can colic return after it improves?

Usually colic resolves permanently. Recurrence is uncommon. But if crying starts again, it may indicate a different issue that needs evaluation.