With normal crying, the wails are usually related to a need feeding, holding, changing, etc , and come in no particular pattern throughout the day and night. Fussy babies tend to calm down with cuddling, being held, or being rocked.
With colic, you don't know what your baby wants. Colic isn't a sign that your baby is sick, although things such as reflux, food allergies , and exposure to cigarette smoke can cause further aggravation and tears. Nor is it a sign that your baby has belly pain , although the way she grimaces, clenches her body, arches her back, pulls her legs up, and screams till she's purple can make it seem so.
What causes colic—and why some babies experience it and others don't—remains a mystery. Here are some theories:. Overstimulation: Some doctors view colic as a natural developmental stage as babies adjust to all the different sensations and experiences that come with life outside the womb. Karp calls this "the fourth trimester. Digestive Issues: Some babies suffer from enlarged stomachs or increased gas during their crying spells, leaving some experts to believe gas pain causes the screaming.
Excessive gas can be caused by lactose intolerance, an allergy to milk, or gas-producing foods passed through the breast milk , such as caffeine, nuts, or some vegetables. Infant acid reflux may also cause digestive issues. Conveyed Anxiety: It's not unusual for a new mom to be stressed out and anxious by the end of the day. Some experts believe the anxiety of a mother rubs off on her baby and causes the baby to be "stressed out" too. Chemical Imbalance: Yet another theory is that colic stems from an imbalance of the brain chemicals melatonin and serotonin.
Colicky babies might have more serotonin, which makes the intestinal muscles contract, says Marc Weissbluth, M. One reason colicky babies can fuss more at night, he explains, is that serotonin levels peak in the evening. This imbalance, the theory goes, naturally resolves when babies start making melatonin, which relaxes intestinal muscles.
Babies get ample melatonin from Mom in utero, but levels drop after birth until the baby starts producing it on her own at 3 to 4 months—interestingly, around the same time that colic typically disappears. Weissbluth says. Your baby might have an underlying medical condition such as constipation, allergies, reflux, a hernia, or a urinary tract infection that remains to be diagnosed—a strong possibility if he's still crying inconsolably after 4 months.
Constipation: Your baby may be fussy because he is straining to eliminate hard stools, says Bryan Vartabedian, M. Don't worry too much about how many hours or days have passed since his last dirty diaper; constipation is defined more by effort than by time, he explains.
It tends to peak two to four weeks after a child is born. Babies who suffer from it typically have mucus or red streaks of blood in their stool and cry a lot. They also may develop a dry, scaly rash anywhere on their face or body, says Dr.
For example, if you are bottle feeding your baby you may wish to burp her every two to three ounces of milk, and if you are breastfeeding your baby you may wish to burp her when you switch from one breast to the other. You can read more about how to burp your baby. Offer your baby a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier may help calm her. Keep in mind you should never give your baby a pacifier that is filled or dipped in honey.
Read more about when babies can have honey. Give her a gentle massage. Place your baby across your lap, tummy down, and rub her back. Read more about giving your baby a massage. Turn on some white noise. Turn on a fan, a dryer, vacuum cleaner, or noise machine as she may find these kinds of noises comforting.
Give her a warm bath. Just make sure to never leave your little one unattended near water. Play soft music, sing, or talk to her. Soothing your little one this way may help your baby calm down. Wrap her securely in a large, thin blanket. You may even like to swaddle your baby, which involves wrapping her snugly in a swaddle blanket. Unfortunately, there is no cure for colic. Remember that sometimes no matter what you do your baby will cry. Try any number of these different approaches.
The condition could result from multiple contributing factors, and sometimes multiple triggers may be at play. Many babies with colic have gas, but gas can be the result of crying — air is swallowed when a baby cries or nurses, and all the trapped air can make your baby feel uncomfortable. Digestive issues. Babies are born with certain personality traits, and some babies may be more sensitive or easily irritated than others. Sensitivity to stimulation.
For example, all the new signs and sounds your baby is exposed might be overwhelming, and because your baby cannot yet effectively self-soothe he may start crying. Preemies who feel overwhelmed by all the new external stimuli may appear to be fussy instead of crying.
The discomfort of this may cause crying. Although almost all babies get reflux from time to time, if the condition becomes chronic that is it happens often , it is called GERD. The symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can include arching of the back, wet burps, irritability, and refusing to eat or only eating a little.
Overfeeding or underfeeding. Being hungry as well as feeling too full can cause your baby to feel uncomfortable, and your little one may express this discomfort by crying. Not enough burping. Burping your baby helps remove some of the trapped air he swallows during feeds or while crying. Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there's no obvious cause. It's a common problem that should get better on its own.
All babies cry, but your baby may have colic if they cry more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week. It can start when a baby is a few weeks old.
It usually stops by the time they're 6 months old. If you're not sure what's wrong, it's best to speak to your health visitor, call NHS or see a GP to be sure. Your baby does not usually need to see a doctor if they have colic.
0コメント