What is Colic?

Colic is the extreme end of normal crying behavior in a baby between 3 weeks and 3 months of age. The amount of crying defined as extreme or excessive often differs according to the personal standards of a particular caregiver. However, health professionals generally diagnose colic when a baby is otherwise healthy but for more than 3 weeks cries more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, and with greater intensity than is typical for the age. It is very difficult to console a baby once an episode of colic has started.

Colic, like normal crying behavior, usually peaks at about 6 to 8 weeks of age and then gradually goes away on its own between 8 and 14 weeks of age. Doctors sometimes call colic exaggerated infant crying behavior.

What causes it?
Evidence suggests that colic results from a combination of a baby's sensitive temperament, environment, and immature nervous system. These factors can make a baby cry easily and have difficulty stopping once he or she has begun. As babies grow and develop, they are better able to regulate crying behavior. The frequency and intensity of crying will gradually decrease after about 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Colic is not related to health conditions, such as digestion problems. Rarely, excessive crying in a baby first diagnosed with colic is later found to be related to cow's milk protein intolerance, fructose intolerance, transmission of medication by-products through breast milk, or other health problem. Also, temporary symptoms, such as abdominal gas, can make crying episodes worse. Smoking while pregnant may increase the likelihood that your baby will have colic.

Use Nature's First Aid Colic kit to provide temporary releif for babies colic. Click here to learn more.

Courtesy of WebMD Corporation