The Fussy or Colicky Baby
How to soothe a baby who cries more than expected
Colic Is Exhausting and Temporary
Colic is defined by the rule of threes: crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks, in an otherwise healthy baby. It usually starts around 2 to 3 weeks, peaks at around 6 weeks, and resolves on its own by 3 to 4 months. Colic is not caused by something you are doing wrong. It is not a sign that your baby is unhealthy or that you are a bad parent. It is a phase, and it will pass. Knowing that does not make the crying any easier to listen to in the moment, but it might help you hold on to the fact that this is temporary.
What Causes Colic
The exact cause is not fully understood, but researchers believe several factors may contribute. An immature digestive system can produce gas and discomfort that the baby cannot clear on their own. Some babies become overstimulated during the day and release that tension through crying in the evening. Food sensitivities passed through breast milk, most commonly dairy proteins, can trigger digestive distress in sensitive babies. And some babies are simply born with a temperament that makes them more reactive to their environment. In many cases, colic is probably a combination of these factors, not a single cause.
Soothing Strategies to Try
No single strategy works for every baby. The approach that works is to try different things and pay attention to what your baby responds to. Some of the most reliable calming tools include: wearing your baby in a carrier and walking, motion is the most reliable calmer there is; using white noise from a fan, vacuum cleaner, or white noise app to create a womb-like sound environment; offering a warm bath, which relaxes many babies almost immediately; swaddling firmly to recreate the snug feeling of the womb; and bicycling the baby's legs gently to help move gas through the digestive tract. Try one thing at a time and give it a few minutes before switching to something else.
Food Sensitivities
If the baby is breastfed and colicky, the most common culprit is cow's milk protein passing into breast milk. Eliminating dairy from the nursing parent's diet for 7 to 10 days can lead to noticeable improvement in colicky symptoms. Other common offenders include eggs, soy, nuts, and spicy foods. If you are formula feeding, your pediatrician may recommend trying a hypoallergenic formula. Keep a food diary for a week, noting what the nursing parent eats and when the baby is fussy. Patterns often reveal themselves when you write them down.
Taking Care of Yourself
Colic is harder on the parents than it is on the baby. The baby will not remember this period, but you will. Constant crying is physiologically stressful, it raises your heart rate, increases your stress hormones, and can make you feel angry, guilty, and hopeless. When you feel yourself reaching your limit, put the baby down in a safe place like the crib and step away for 5 minutes. Let the baby cry while you collect yourself. Call a friend or family member for backup. Your baby will be fine for a few minutes alone. You need those minutes. This is not failure. This is the most responsible thing you can do when you are reaching your limit.
When to Call the Provider
Most colic is not a medical problem. But call your provider if the crying is accompanied by fever, vomiting (especially if green or forceful), diarrhea, blood in the stool, or if the baby is not gaining weight. These signs may indicate a medical condition that needs treatment, not colic.