Parentpedia

What Experts Say^*

Often a traumatic experience for the entire family, colic is described as newborn crying spells that last for more than three hours and recur more than three times a week, usually in the evenings.

What Is Colic?

These babies often come into the world placidly enough, but they begin to scream piercingly when they're 2 weeks old, sometimes stiffening their legs as if in pain, and they seem to have distended stomachs.

It has been thought that so-called "colicky" babies are suffering from gas. Although some pediatricians still suggest medicine to "treat the pain" (simethicone or Colic-Ease Gripe Water, for example), there's no evidence that these fussy babies have stomachaches.

What to Do About Colic

As the parent of a fussy baby, you're probably feeling out of control and miserable, and your poor baby is even more miserable than you are. Though there's no definitive answer about what causes colic -- even the experts disagree -- the good news is that you can do things to help:

• Carry your baby in a sling, a front carrier, or a back carrier as much as possible throughout the day and respond quickly to his cries.
• Try bringing a colicky baby in a dark room, lying him face down on your knees and jiggling him gently while making a "sh, sh" noise to soothe him. Pediatrician Marc Weissbluth, author of "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child," recommends trying 5 S's: swaddling; side or stomach lying while awake (babies should be put to sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS); shushing; swinging; and sucking (breastfeeding, bottlefeeding, using a pacifier). A very fussy baby may only be soothed by several of these at a time.
• Figure out what comforts your baby the most -- a walk outside, a warm bath, a massage, a drive in the car -- and do that preemptively during his colicky time.
• Hire a babysitter or invite a relative over for support so you're not alone and overwhelmed with your baby during his colicky time.
• Understand that your baby may cry no matter what you do to comfort him but that most "colicky" babies outgrow it by three months.

Safety Note

The first time you heard your baby cry, you probably felt filled with joy. But listening to a baby cry relentlessly is extremely stressful, even for the most patient parents.

If you feel like you might harm or shake your baby, put him in a safe place, leave the room, and get help. Call your spouse, doctor, friend, or relative, or a toll-free helpline in your area.