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• Colic is a paroxysmal abdominal pain that generally occurs in infants under 3 months of age
• Colic identified using the "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 crying 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 have vigorous sucking then stopping when another wave of intestinal pain occurs
• Bowel movements are normal in infants with colic
• 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 infant may have been happy, fussy, feeding, or even sleeping. 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 infants 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 legs can also be straight out when the baby cries especially hard)
  • The fingers are clenched shut
  • The arms are stiff, tight, and straight. (The elbows can also be bent)
  • The back is arched

  
• Infants with colic are difficult or impossible to soothe, no matter what the parents do. There may be periods of quiet, but infants often remain fussy. Crying may end after the infant passes gas or a bowel movement
• Manageable causes of crying

  • Hunger
  • Pain (illness, physical injury, tight clothing, hair tourniquet)
  • Fatigue or overstimulation from playing or being handled
  • Food sensitivities (milk, eggs, nuts, wheat)
• Dietary changes


  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

  
• Use of hot water bottle and placing on their infant's stomach for comfort is discouraged. A basic rule for any abdominal discomfort is to avoid heat in case appendicitis is developing
• Use of herbs or home remedies such as star anise, chiropractic and acupressure must be checked first with their physician
• Support for parents


  • Support the parents in all the efforts they make and let them know it is all right to let the infant cry for short intervals
  • Treat colic as a family problem or a vicious cycle my gradually begin
• 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, as the head moves backwards and forwards, the brain hits the inside of the skull, causing serious damage and even death