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• Colic is a paroxysmal abdominal pain that generally occurs in infants under 3 months of age
• Rule of Three


  Inconsolable crying that lasts more than three hours a day and occurs more than three days a week for at least three weeks
• Colic often occurs late in the day, around the same time - some doctors call it "the witching hour"
• Cause of colic


  May occur as a result of overfeeding, swallowing too much air while feeding, or a formula too high in carbohydrate
• Formula-fed infants are more likely to have colic than breastfed infants
• Infants with colic still thrive
• Colic interferes with parental sleeping and may interfere with the formation of the parent-child relationship
• Colic usually disappears at 3 months when digestion becomes easier, and the child can maintain a more upright position, allowing less gas to form
• Crying related to colic

  • The crying episode begins suddenly and often occurs in the evening hours
  • Colic episodes are more intense, louder, and higher pitched than "normal" crying
  • Infants with colic may sound as if they are in pain or are screaming
• Physical symptoms of increased muscle tones in babies with colic

  • The baby's face is red, and the skin around the mouth is pale
  • The belly is bulging and hard
  • The legs are drawn into the belly, and the feet are cold
  • The fingers are clenched shut
  • The arms are stiff, tight, and straight
  • The back is arched
• Infants with colic are difficult or impossible to soothe, no matter what the parents do
• Manageable causes of crying

  • Hunger
  • Pain
  • Fatigue or overstimulation
  • Food sensitivities
• Dietary changes have little effect, although there is some evidence using hydrolyzed protein, probiotics or prebiotics, or a soy-based formula for bottle-fed babies may be helpful

  
• The use of hot water bottle and placing on their infant's stomach for comfort is discouraged
• Use of herbs or home remedies such as star anise, chiropractic and acupressure must be checked first with their physician
• Shaken baby syndrome


  Injuries suffered by infants who are violently shaken, often by a parent or other adult who has become overwhelmed by excessive crying
• Infants do not have sufficient strength in their neck to limit head movement and shaking