Colic Baby : Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Home Treatment and Home Remedies of Colic

Colic is not a disease. It is a condition that causes otherwise healthy babies to cry inconsolably, usually in the evening and at night. Doctors aren't sure what causes colic. It is believed to be caused by abdominal pain due to intestinal gas.

All babies cry, so how do you know if your baby has colic? Colic usually follows the "rule of three"; crying starts in the first three months after birth and continues more than three hours a day, more than three days a week.

Fortunately, colic goes away as the baby matures, almost always by the end of the third month-sooner for many babies. Although no single method always works to relieve colicky babies, there are a number of things you can try. Unfortunately, what works one time may not work the next. Be creative and persistent

Symptoms of Colic

Generally all pains occurring in the abdo­men region are described as colic. But colic re­ally signifies an affection or pain in the colon or large intestine.

It is characterized by a severe crampy, grip­ing, twisting pain in the abdomen around na­vel, coming and going in paroxysms. It is so vio­lent at times that the patient rolls on the bed or floor, and tosses about in great agony. Nausea, vomiting, and belching of wind are prominent features in some cases. Cold perspiration breaks out on the face. The abdomen is sometimes dis­tended and sensitive to touch, at others times it is drawn in and the pain is relieved by external pressure. There may also be constipation, with frequent inclination to go to stool.

Causes of Colic

Colic may be the result of errors of diet, such as excessive eating of acrid, indigestible food or unripe fruits; other exciting causes could be intestinal worms, constipation, drinking ice water or other cold beverages when the system is overheated and intestinal obstruction, etc.

Fortunately, colic goes away as the baby matures, almost always by the end of the third month-sooner for many babies. Although no single method always works to relieve colicky babies, there are a number of things you can try. Unfortunately, what works one time may not work the next. Be creative and persistent.

Diagnosis of Colic

An otherwise healthy baby who cries excessively in the first four months of life is generally thought to have colic. About 20% of babies get colic, and it affects boys and girls equally. It usually appears at around two to four weeks of age and disappears by about four months of age.

Your doctor will likely diagnose colic on the basis of your baby's behavior. He or she may also perform a general physical exam to see if other reasons exist for your baby's distress. Doctors consider colic a "diagnosis of exclusion," which means other, less common medical conditions are ruled out before determining that your baby has colic. These conditions might include intestinal or urinary infections, intestinal obstruction, cardiac problems or a corneal abrasion or other injury.

In general, pediatricians advise against subjecting most babies - even those with severe colic - to laboratory or X-ray tests.

Home Treatment of Colic

•  Most important: Stay calm and try to relax. If you start to lose control, take a minute to calm down. Never shake a baby; it can

•  cause perma­nent brain damage and even death.

•  Ask family and friends to help you out. Having a colicky baby can be exhausting, and you need time to rest.

•  Make sure your baby is getting enough to eat. Feed your baby when he or she seems hungry, not on a schedule.

•  Make sure your baby isn't swal­lowing too much air while eating. Feed the baby slowly, holding firm or her almost upright. Burp your baby periodically. Prop your baby up for 15 minutes after feeding.

•  If your baby is bottle-fed, use nip­ples with holes large enough to drip cold formula at least 1 drop per second. Babies will swallow more air from around the nipple if the hole is too small.

•  Beat formula to body temperature. Don't overheat.

•  Babies need to suck on something for up to 2 hours a day to be satis­fied. If feedings aren't enough, use a pacifier.

•  Mealtime should be quiet and undisturbed by bright lights and loud noises.

•  Make sure your baby's diaper is clean, that he or she isn't too hot or cold, and isn't bored.

•  Try rocking or walking your baby. Putting him or her stomach-down over your knee or forearm may be helpful.

•  Calm your baby with a car ride or a walk outside. Placing your baby near the hum of a clothes dryer,

•  dishwasher, or bubbling aquarium may have a soothing effect.

•  Don't worry about spoiling a baby during the first 3 months; comforting a baby makes both of you feel better.

•  Don't leave your baby alone while he or she is crying for more than 5 to 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, try the above suggestions again.

Home Remedies of Colic

•  Heat olive oil up and rub it on the Childs belly in the circular motion

•  Avoid sugar. Nursing mothers should also avoid sugar

•  Make peppermint tea, with real peppermint. Boil the tea leaves and strain and then add water to the bottle, let cool and give to baby. Also give a warm bath, or even a warm towel and then on baby's abdomen helped also.

•  Get plenty of vitamin B6. Good sources are creamed brown rice or brewer's yeast in applesauce.

•  Apply lobelia extract or hops tea to the baby's spine for relaxation

•  Take the first layer of an onion after the flaky layer. then cut it put in a pan of water (about 3 cups of water) then boil it. After it comes to a boil take about 1tp of the water in the baby's bottle of formula and it will help relive gas.

•  Administer catnip, fennel, hops, or peppermint in a tea.

When to Call a Health Professional

Colic generally does not require professional treatment unless it is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of a more serious ill­ness. If the baby looks healthy and acts normally between crying episodes,

And if your emotions can stand the noise for the first three months, you have little cause for worry

However, if colic lasts for more than four hours a day, or if you feel like you need help, contact your doctor for advice.

In rare cases, colic may be so severe that you and your doctor may consider a medication for the baby.

For some reason, wrapping a baby snugly in a blanket has a calming effect. It's very popular in some cultures, and it does sometimes stop colic attacks. And it does not spoil an infant who wants physical contact