Understanding Colic

What is Colic?

It is fairly common for babies to go through periods when they appear abnormally irritable, fussy, or seem to cry for no reason. Some babies are fussier than others and may even be described as “colicky.” Colic can be defined as excessive crying or fussiness, usually in the late afternoon. It starts around 2 weeks and generally resolves or is resolving by 12 weeks. Rarely does it endure past six months of age. Pediatricians often use Wessel’s criteria, referred to as the rule of 3's, to define colic: inconsolable crying for 3 hours per day, at least 3 times a week for at least 3 weeks, though in practice, colic may be more loosely defined. About 25 percent or 1 out of 4 babies worldwide meet the official “Rule of Three's” criteria for medical diagnosis of colic.

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What are the
Symptoms of Colic?

Some associated symptoms of colic may be clenching of the fists, arching of the back, or tensing of the abdomen. Bouts tend to come on suddenly and end suddenly, and the cry may sound more intense to parents. Colicky babies may be extremely difficult to console.

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what is colic
what causes colic

What causes Colic?

While there are many theories about colic, there is no single consistent cause that experts all agree upon. A lot of evidence suggests that colic may be caused in different ways in different babies. There appear to be several contributing factors that, when occurring in combination, are likely to result in colic pain and discomfort.

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Does your infant have reflux?

Reflux is a normal condition in most babies. If reflux is accompanied with poor weight gain,extreme discomfort, vomiting, sleep problems, and more, many parents seek treatment for their infants discomfort. Given the formative stage of baby's development, acid blockers and surgery could result in undesirable side effects. Because of this many parents look to Colic Calm as a natural option for treatment.

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Colic vs. High Needs?

How does temperament help you decide if your baby's crying is colic or simply due to "high needs"? Colic babies typically experience the "Rule of 3s" - crying episodes that last at least 3 hours a day, occur more than 3 times a week for more than 3 weeks. In contrast, the crying of a high needs baby starts at birth an increases in intensity throughout thier life.

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How Long Does
Infant Colic Last?

We understand that colic is excruciating, which is why we developed the colic duration calculator. For some parents, having an idea about when colic might end naturally can make the burden a little bit easier to bear. Answer the two simple questions below to assess how long baby’s colic may last.

At what age did your child begin crying inconsolably?

How old is your child now?

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*Please note this information is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the diagnosis of a qualified physician.