Colic
What Is Colic ?
Crying is a normal way that babies communicate , but some cry more than others . A baby who is healthy and well-fed — and all other reasons for crying have been ruled out — may be diagnosed with colic if they cry :
• Three hours or more per day ,
• More than three days a week ,
• For more than three weeks .
Colic usually begins around two weeks and resolves by about four months . About one in five newborns cries enough to qualify as colic .
Causes of Colic
Sometimes colic is caused by belly pain from food sensitivities . If you are breastfeeding , it can help to keep a journal of the foods you ate and colic symptoms . If you notice an obvious increase in fussiness after you eat certain foods , it may help to eliminate them from your diet until baby is older or weaned . Cow ’ s milk is the most common culprit .
Colic may also be caused by an immature nervous system or an imbalance of chemicals in the brain . Often , the cause of colic remains a mystery and baby simply outgrows it .
Managing Colic
Colic is exhausting and frustrating . It can increase rates of postpartum depression , affect family relationships , and drastically affect new parents ’ sleep . These strategies may help :
• Visit a clinic or health care provider who specializes in colic . They can provide helpful information on causes and soothing tips .
• Have baby screened for medical causes for the crying ( reflux , sleep problems , etc .).
• Keep a diary , tracking when baby eats , sleeps , and cries . Note any patterns and change things that contribute to crying .
• Get help . It ’ s all right to ask someone else to hold or care for your baby , even if the baby cries the whole time . Give yourself breaks .
32 Caring for Your Newborn
Know Your Limits
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Getting angry or frustrated with your baby does not make you a bad parent . However , you must never , ever shake a baby , or do anything violent or painful toward a baby in any way ( such as hitting , squeezing , pinching , etc .). Shaking a baby can cause permanent brain damage or even death ( called shaken baby syndrome ). If you are frustrated and feel like you are losing your temper , put your baby down in a safe place and walk away . It is better for your baby to cry alone for fifteen minutes than for you to hurt them . If you cannot calm down enough to safely resume their care , contact a friend or family member for help . If needed , call the 24-hour Childhelp hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD ( 800-422-4453 ) or call 911 .