Colic – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Many tools can help parents manage a baby’s colic symptoms. Popular options include:

• Soothing Devices: White noise machines, gentle vibrating seats, and swings that mimic movement.
• Special Bottles: Anti-gas bottles with angled designs or unique venting systems.
• Pacifiers: Different shapes and sizes to comfort fussy babies.
• Infant Probiotics: Some may help reduce crying time in colicky babies.
• Swaddling Blankets: Help babies feel secure and may reduce crying episodes.
• Herbal Teas: Some parents try chamomile or fennel tea (with doctor’s approval).

No single product works for all babies with colic. What helps one infant might not help another. Parents often need to try several approaches before finding what works for their child.

Always talk with your pediatrician before trying new remedies, especially supplements or herbal products.

Signs of Colic

Colic typically shows itself when babies cry for three or more hours daily, at least three days weekly, for three weeks or longer.

Babies with colic tend to cry more intensely, resembling screaming or signs of pain rather than usual fussing.

Infants with colic cry without clear reasons. Unlike crying from hunger or needing a diaper change, these episodes happen without an obvious cause. Even after the crying stops, babies may remain extremely fussy and irritable.

Many parents notice patterns with colic episodes, which commonly occur during evening hours. Physical signs often include:

• Facial color changes (flushing or reddening)
• Body tension signs:
  • Pulled up or stiff legs
  • Rigid arms
  • Tight fists
  • Arched back
  • Tense stomach area

Sometimes babies show relief after passing gas or having a bowel movement. The gas often happens because babies swallow air during long crying episodes. This doesn’t cause colic, but results from the extended crying.

When to See a Doctor

If your baby cries excessively and cannot be comforted, it might be colic or a sign of an illness causing pain. Contact your child’s doctor for a complete examination when you notice:

• Intense crying that doesn’t stop with normal soothing
• Crying that seems painful rather than fussy
• Any other worrying symptoms alongside the crying

Getting professional medical advice helps determine whether your baby’s crying is normal or needs treatment.

Causes

Colic’s exact cause remains unknown. Several factors may contribute to this condition.

Scientists find it challenging to explain key aspects of colic. These include its typical onset after the first month of life, its variation between babies, its specific timing during the day, and its eventual natural resolution.

Research has identified several possible contributing factors:

• Underdeveloped digestive system
• Imbalance of gut bacteria
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Feeding issues (too much, too little, or insufficient burping)
• Possible early manifestation of migraines
• Family tension or anxiety

These factors may work alone or together to cause colic symptoms in infants. Each baby’s experience may differ based on their unique circumstances and development.

Risk Factors

The causes of colic remain unclear. Studies show no difference in colic rates based on:

• Baby’s gender
• Whether birth was premature or full-term
• Feeding method (breast or formula)

However, babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or after birth have higher chances of developing colic. This is one of the few identified risk factors for this condition.

Complications

Shaken Baby Syndrome

When babies cry a lot, it can be very hard on parents. The stress of dealing with a constantly crying infant can sometimes push caregivers to their breaking point.

In extreme cases, frustrated adults might shake a baby to try to stop the crying. This is extremely dangerous.

Shaking a baby can cause serious brain damage or even death. The baby’s head is heavy compared to their weak neck muscles, and their brain can move inside the skull during shaking.

This can tear blood vessels and damage brain tissue. Parents who lack information about how to calm crying babies or who don’t understand that extended crying can be normal are at higher risk for harmful reactions.

Without proper support and education about infant crying patterns, caregivers may become overwhelmed.

If you feel yourself getting frustrated with a crying baby:

• Put the baby in a safe place, like a crib
• Take a short break in another room
• Ask someone for help
• Call a parent helpline if needed