Does your baby have that last three hours or more? If so, they might be suffering from a common condition known as colic. The cause of colic is still a mystery—and so, unfortunately, is the treatment.
Desperate parents have tried a slew of purported colic remedies to soothe their , such as midnight car rides, massage, acupuncture, battery-operated swings, white noise machines, anti-gas Mylicon drops, and such as Colic Calm and Colic-Ease. Although some find success with these so-called treatments, there's little to no science to back them up, and many babies keep shrieking anyway.
"Some babies will respond to many of these interventions, some babies won't respond to any, and a lot of babies will respond only sometimes," explains Larry Scherzer, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. "Usually by the time you try everything, the baby is old enough that a lot of the crying has ceased."
Read on to learn more about colic, and how to soothe your little one if they are struggling with this condition.
There's no specific definition of colic, but it generally means excessive crying for no explainable reason, says Barry Lester, PhD, director of the colic clinic at the Brown University Center for Children at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, and coauthor of .
Pediatricians generally use the "rule of threes" to determine the condition: "When a baby cries intensely for three or more hours at a time (usually during the evening hours) on at least three days of the week, for longer than three weeks in a row—for no apparent reason," says Mary Ann LoFrumento, MD, author of .
Colic is very common, with approximately 25% of all babies affected by this condition. It usually begins around week 2 or 3 of the baby's life and peaks at around 6 to 8 weeks. Unlike regular infant crying, attempts to stop colic-induced crying sessions by feeding, burping, rocking, or aren't successful. The condition tends to subside around 3 to 4 months of age.
Because doctors don't know the exact cause of colic, it's extremely difficult to treat. Conventional medications—such as anti-gas, antacids, and pain medications—can't "cure" the condition. The same is true for dietary modifications. One thing that might work: mimicking life inside the womb with something known as the "Five S" strategy.
Babies have an innate reflex that's triggered when they do things that resemble their fetal experience. "It's like an 'off' switch for crying," says Harvey Karp, MD, creator of the DVD and book, . The Five S's include , and side or stomach lying. "I've never had a child follow the Five S's and not calm down unless she was ill," Dr. Karp says.
Ahead, learn more about the components of the "Five S" strategy:
Use a swaddle blanket or sleep sack to wrap your baby's arms snugly down against their sides, but leave their legs loose and flexed so that their hips have room to move.
"Inside the uterus, noises are louder than a vacuum cleaner," Dr. Karp says. Mimicking womb-like sounds . Dr. Karp recommends white-noise audio files or radio static. The recording of rain or even the sound of a hair dryer might also work. Though you may find these noises loud, babies find them comforting because they approximate what they heard in utero.
A slow and smooth motion keeps babies calm. "," Dr. Karp assures. "In the uterus, babies were held and rocked 24/7, so even if you , it's a significant cutback for your baby." Indeed, research has found that babies who are held more frequently by their parents or other caregivers cry less than those who are not.
Babies have a strong sucking urge in the first few months of life, and satisfying that urge can quickly calm a fretful infant. Try . While some breastfed babies may refuse it, it will provide instant relief for others.
While they're awake, position your baby across your forearm or lap with their head resting in your hand. It's easiest to calm a crying baby when they're lying on their side or stomach. (Note: Babies should sleep on their side or stomach, since this increases the risk of .)
Remember that each baby is different. Some need swaddling and shushing, while others don't calm until you add swinging. And mega-fussy kids usually need four or five S's done all together—with vigor—to switch on their calming reflex.
Aside from the "Five S" strategy, there are other tactics to help soothe and calm your baby with colic. Consider some of the following options, and be sure to discuss strategies with a pediatrician or health care provider as well.
Some research suggests . In one study of 83 babies, crying decreased 75% after 28 days for those given L. reuteri vs. 25% for those given simethicone (Mylicon). Unfortunately, in another small study, researchers who gave colicky babies other probiotics for two weeks found no relief from symptoms. If you're curious to try this method, look for probiotics made for babies, or get infant formula that contains but be sure to follow a health care provider's instructions before use.
, consider eliminating dairy or gas-inducing vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower. Also limit your caffeine intake, and consider giving up spicy foods. If your baby's crying doesn't improve in a couple of weeks, you can go back to your normal diet.
is one theory for what causes colic. Hold your baby's legs up to their chest for a few minutes to get rid of it. Burping frequently during feedings may help too. You can also switch to a bottle that limits the air your baby takes in.
Pace back and forth across the room with . Researchers have found that babies carried in the arms, in front carriers, or in slings for at least three hours a day cried a lot less on average than those babies who were not carried at all.
Massage is a helpful tool for promoting relaxation in infants. Gently rub their back, belly, arms, and legs with loving strokes. To perfect your technique, take a class or read one of the many books now available on the art of .
New parents often feel guilty or self-indulgent for wanting a break from their newborns. But doctors say that putting the baby in a safe place, such as a crib or playpen, and walking away—even for a couple of minutes— is exactly what you should do when crying threatens to push you past your limits. "Even decreasing the loudness of a cry by being on the other side of a wall or door can lessen the tension," says Dr. LoFrumento.
Connect with a parent group so you don't feel isolated. "It's easy to convince yourself that you're the only one, that there's something wrong with you, and that people think you're a bad parent because you can't get your baby to stop crying," says Laura Jana, MD, coauthor of (American Academy of Pediatrics). "Getting support lets you maintain your sanity and gives you some distance and a little perspective."
Bryan Vartabedian, MD, author of is not a fan of gripe water, a generic term for a whole variety of folksy, naturopathic liquid drops. Small doses of anti-gas drops like Mylicon probably won't help or hurt, says Dr. Vartabedian.
"Crying and fatigue can be triggers for marital distress, postpartum depression, breastfeeding failure, abuse, excessive visits to the doctor, or overuse of baby medication, as well as smoking, car accidents, and probably obesity, because when you're so tired you make bad food decisions," says Dr. Karp. So think about asking a health care provider for a referral to a mental health specialist who can help you deal with the impact of your baby's crying.
One thing to keep in mind is that colic often arises for no reason, and there's nothing you could have done to prevent it. It's not a reflection on your parenting in any way. "It's very important to know that colic is not your fault; it has nothing to do with you, your feeding, your parenting, or anything else," says Dr. LoFrumento.
Colic can be just as difficult for the parents as it is for the babies, so it's important that you take care of yourself too during this trying time. "Accept your feelings of anger, resentment, and, sometimes, even rage," says Stephanie Mihalas, PhD., a licensed psychologist and founder of The Center for Well-Being: Psychological Services for Children, Youth, and Families in Los Angeles. The feelings are normal, as long as you don't act upon them.
And don't forget that they will eventually outgrow this phase. Pretty soon, your baby will be happy and smiling again—and you'll be more at ease than you can imagine!
