When you have a newborn, an occasional crying spell is par for the course. Since crying is a baby’s sole method of communication, it can mean any number of things. But what about when you’ve fed, diapered, burped, and done everything else you can think of – and your baby is still bawling inconsolably? It’s frustrating when you can’t figure out what’s wrong. If you’ve spent more than your share of sleepless nights, your eardrums echoing with screams, you probably have a colicky baby on your hands.

First, a bit of consolation …

Since you’re reading this article, chances are it applies to you. And if it applies to you, chances are you’re at the end of your rope. You’re probably tired of pacing the floor when you should be snoozing, and of trying – to no avail – to comfort your baby. You may be experiencing a whole range of emotions from guilty to angry to resentful to sad. If you’re one of the parents crying right along with your baby, take heart: colic isn’t permanent. It peaks during the sixth week or so, and fizzles out between three and five months of age. Even though it may seem never-ending, there is an end in sight. It will get better … so just grit your teeth and make that your mantra for the weeks ahead.

What is colic, and what causes it?

Colic is defined as excessive, uncontrollable crying (more than three hours per day for at least three days a week). It isn’t a disease, but rather a pattern of behavior. It affects approximately twenty percent of babies, and doesn’t discriminate: boys and girls, breast- and bottle-fed babies, and babies from any birth order are equally afflicted. It normally begins at two to four weeks of age. If your baby was premature, look for colic to begin anywhere from six to eight weeks after your original due date.

Unfortunately, there is no definite cause for colic, although there are many different theories. It has long been believed that colic is the result of gastrointestinal pain; colicky babies tend to scrunch up their legs, squirm around, and pass gas, suggesting to the observer some sort of digestive problem. This can be a contributor, and definitely a reason to cry, but there simply isn’t sufficient evidence to prove that it’s a cause. Your baby’s temperament and immature nervous system can also be contributors to colic. Simply put, the baby may be very sensitive to environmental changes and will respond to such changes by crying; then, once the crying starts, his nervous system – still developing – is unable to regulate it.

What are the symptoms?

A colicky baby will begin his crying spells around the same time each day, usually in the evening. The episodes are likely to come on suddenly, with no apparent cause, and last for two to three hours. Your baby may appear to be in pain, thrashing around, clenching his fists, and drawing his legs up to his abdomen (all that squirming can make him hard to hold on to). His cries won’t be low-pitched, intermittent, or weak sounding; instead, they’ll often be constant, full-blown screams that leave your ears ringing, and he’ll be virtually impossible to console.

How can I help my colicky baby?

Discovering what methods soothe your baby best is going to be trial-and-error, and the technique that works like a charm one night may be useless the next. A few tricks to put up your sleeve:

• Cuddle your baby. Picking your baby up when he cries isn’t going to spoil him at this age; you’re just responding to his needs. Some babies find comfort in being tightly swaddled and held close to your body. But if your baby doesn’t seem to want to be held, don’t take it personally!

• Sing to your baby. So what if you’re no Pavarotti? Your baby knows the sound of your voice, and the rhythmic ups and downs of your singing may be just what she needs to hear. Singing a soft, soothing lullaby just might help – even if the baby doesn’t respond to it, it may help keep you calm.

• Offer water. You can offer plain water (purified, not tap) or electrolyte water such as Pedialyte.

• Offer food. Sometimes a crying baby is just a hungry baby. It’s highly unlikely that you can over-feed your baby because infants will stop eating when they’re full (or just spit up the portion that they don’t need), so offer a bottle or breast.

• Offer a pacifier. If she doesn’t want to eat, but seems to want something in her mouth, try a pacifier. Babies use sucking as a self-soothing mechanism.

• Stay in motion. Gentle movement can be very effective. Try rocking, putting your baby in an infant swing, taking a walk, or going for a drive. Or place the baby belly-down on your knees and sway them slowly back and forth.

• Try a warm bath. Bathe your baby, either by itself or with you. Try using one of the aromatherapy “bedtime bath” baby wash products.

• Assist nature. Sometimes the problem can be constipation or trapped gas. You can remedy this in several ways. Give your baby a dose of simethicone drops, better known under brand names such as Mylicon; these drops are designed to relieve gas and are generally safe to use with every feeding (although as with any medication, consult your child’s pediatrician before use). You can also gently massage your baby’s tummy in a clockwise circular motion. Another way to stimulate the passing of a stool is to take the baby’s temperature rectally; this method, although decidedly unpleasant for both parties, is recommended instead of an enema.

• Turn on some background noise. The sound of a fan, a washer or dryer, a fish tank, even a vacuum cleaner can work wonders for a colicky baby. Any sort of noise at a low, steady volume will help. If you’re rocking your baby, try saying “Shhh …” over and over. Or put on a CD of nature noises, such as a babbling brook or gentle rainstorm. One word of caution: placing your baby in an infant seat next to a washer or dryer may help, but be sure not to put the seat on the actual appliances; it may vibrate right off onto the floor.

• Change the way your baby eats. There are many bottles on the market today specially designed to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in at each feeding, thereby reducing gas. Experiment with differently shaped nipples or different types of bottle. If your baby is breastfed, sometimes changes in your diet can help. Avoid spicy foods; cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage; caffeine, and cow’s milk (you can gradually reintroduce these foods once you find the culprit, if your diet is indeed the problem). Try holding your baby more upright while feeding her, feeding more slowly, and giving her more of an opportunity to burp during and afterward. There is a common old wives’ tale that says giving your baby rice cereal in her bottle will ease colic, but in reality, it probably won’t help.

• Use caution with homeopathic remedies. Although it’s tempting to try anything and everything to relieve your baby’s colic, do extensive research before attempting any alternative treatments. Many parents swear by herbal teas acupuncture, and other such treatments, but these have not been studied extensively enough to prove helpful or, most importantly, safe. For example, star anise tea has been traditionally used in the treatment of colic, but the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has issued a warning against it; the tea contains low levels of a toxic compound called veranisatin that can cause neurological symptoms such as seizures and vomiting.

Should I call the doctor?

Colic itself doesn’t require medical treatment. It’s just “one of those things” that, although stressful and horrible, doesn’t pose a threat to the baby’s overall health and will eventually resolve itself. However, use your intuition; if you suspect there’s something wrong with your baby, don’t hesitate to call the pediatrician. If he’s not interested in eating, or having problems with chronic constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting, a call is well warranted. Before you call the doctor, eliminate all possible causes of the crying. There are the obvious things, such as hunger or a soiled diaper, and then there are the things that perhaps are not so obvious: pain or irritation can be anything from a diaper rash to a clothing tag poking your baby in the back of his neck. Or temperature – could Baby be too cold or too hot? Is he over or underdressed?

Before going to the doctor, record the baby’s sleeping, eating, pooping, and crying patterns for a few days. Having it down on paper can help the doctor determine the cause of the crying, and seeing it in writing may help you discover patterns you hadn’t noticed before.

I’m going crazy. How can I cope?

If you’re the parent of a colicky baby, you’ve been given a tough job. You are probably even more sleep-deprived than the average parent, which in itself can present problems. On top of that, you may be having thoughts that make you feel riddled with guilt – such as, “I wish we’d never had this baby!” Don’t feel guilty; these types of thoughts are perfectly normal when you’re at your wit’s end, and everyone in your situation has them. Keep in mind that none of this is your fault. Your baby’s crying in no way reflects your abilities as a parent. Lots of people are in the same boat as you, and they’re not bad parents either. It’s normal to feel helpless, depressed, even angry, and it’s important to express these feelings to someone who will listen.

Try not to think of your baby’s cries as his way of saying, “Help me” – this can only make you feel worse for not being able to do anything. He is simply crying, as all babies with colic do. If you’re feeling angry, try to see things from your baby’s viewpoint: she can’t help her cries. She isn’t crying to be bad or to keep you awake and stressed. She’s probably just as exhausted as you are; she’s exerting a lot of physical energy, and having a hard time too.

Gather a support system. If you feel like you’ve reached the breaking point, it’s perfectly okay to take a breather and leave your child in the care of someone else temporarily. Don’t feel guilty about taking a much needed time-out; it’s something you’re doing to benefit your baby and yourself. Get some rest, or escape to a quiet place and have a cup of coffee or tea or read for a while. If you have no one to watch your baby, but you feel that you absolutely must get away for a few minutes, put her in a safe place – such as in her crib – and retire to another room for a few minutes (take the baby monitor with you if leaving makes you nervous). She’ll still cry, but you’ll know that she’s safe.

Parenting a colicky baby can be overwhelming and discouraging, but keep in mind that it’s only temporary, and it isn't your fault, or your baby's. In the meantime, you’ll learn which methods work and which don’t. By the time it’s over, you’ll be a certifiable expert – and who knows, you may be able to help another frustrated parent!

External Links:

• ColicHelp.com - Colic support, remedies, and information for stressed parents.