Colic

Colic is very common in newborn babies and the condition usually starts within a few weeks of birth, a newborn could have colic for four or five months. Although your baby may seem upset or distressed, colic is not harmful. Your baby will continue to feed and gain weight as any child would without this condition. There's no evidence that colic causes any long-term effects. So don't panic everything will turn out fine.

Battle Plan For Tired Moms With A collicky Baby - Stop Baby's Colic Pains

The condition is more common to occur in bottle fed babies but does still occur in breastfed baby’s too.

Colic can be an upsetting time for both parent and baby. You may feel like you're letting your baby down or that you're doing wrong. However, although colic can be a very distressing time, it is a phase which will pass in a few weeks or so.

Baby’s sometimes cry for no obvious reason even they have had a good feed and are clean, warm and cared for. If your baby has repeated episodes of excessive or inconsolable crying but still appear to be thriving and healthy, then baby could have colic (always seek your GP's advice for any problem concerning baby in which you are not sure about).

We all know and I think agree too, that babies cry some a lot more than others. It is an effective way for them to communicate to people, it is your baby's way of letting you know they're hungry, tired, need a nappy change or unwell, even something simple like they want your attention or a cuddle.

Some colic symptoms include:

1. An uncontrollable cry so much so, baby’s face goes flushed red and there is little or nothing you can do to console them     
2. Your babies’ posture changes dramatically with drawn knees into stomach with back arched and fists clenched      
3. Disrupted feeding pattern due to crying with pain        
4. Difficulty sleeping     
5. Excess wind passed     
6. Restless at bedtimes     

 What causes colic?

1. The causes for colic are unknown     
2. Smoking in pregnancy gives your baby more chance of having colic     

 How you can help your baby:

1. Stay very calm, and try not to feel anxious as baby will pick it up from you     
2. If breastfeeding try and test different foods you consume in case that is a factor     
3. Bottle fed babies try a change of formula in case of an intolerance to ingredients     
4. Always try winding often     
5. Don’t overfeed baby     
6. If baby is not sleeping well try not to over-stimulate before bedtime    
7. Try rubbing babies stomach whilst rocking     
8. Feed up right when possible     
9. Go for a stroll or a drive in the car     

There are lots of parents who have gone through the colicky period with their child, always try to talk to other parents and listen to what they found a help because it will be a struggle and seem like you cant do anything to calm baby.

But you can do it, have faith in yourself and remember a mother’s instinct knows best.