Colic is a condition in which a baby who is about 2-4 weeks old cries very loudly for no reason and cannot be calmed down. It is considered normal for all babies, both males and females, even if they are healthy and feeding normally. Usually, babies cry when they feel hungry, scared, tired or wet. However, sometimes babies may wake up crying loudly in the middle of the night and cry longer than usual for no reason, which may be a sign of colic.
Babies with colic tend to cry very hard and at the same times regularly, especially in the evening or early evening. The crying is loud, shrill, and longer than usual. Overall, the crying will be about 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, and for at least 3 weeks or longer. Symptoms may improve by about 3 to 4 months of age.
Causes of colic
The exact cause of colic is currently unknown. But it can be caused by a number of factors, such as:
- Muscle contractions in the digestive tract
- There is a lot of air or gas in the stomach, which can cause the baby to swallow a lot of air.
- Stomach pain caused by changes in hormones in the body
- Being overly disturbed or stimulated. By external factors such as noise, light, etc.
- The emotional foundation of infants or children whose parents have emotional problems
- Immature nervous system development or irritation of the nervous system
- Problems with feeding include overfeeding, underfeeding, or feeding incorrectly.
- Infant health problems such as acid reflux, ear infections, urinary tract infections, hernias , cow’s milk allergy, diaper rash , etc.
Signs when you should take your baby to see a doctor
Although it is normal for your little one to cry, if you are concerned or notice any changes in eating, sleeping, or crying behavior, you may want to consult a doctor. If your little one has any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately. ยูฟ่าเบท Although it is normal for your little one to cry, if you are concerned or notice any changes in eating, sleeping, or crying behavior, you may want to consult a doctor. If your little one has any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
- Crying very hard, for a long time, high-pitched or restless.
- Picked up and the baby was limp
- Refuses to drink milk
- Vomiting green liquid
- Bloody stool
- Fever higher than 38°C for infants under 3 months of age, or fever higher than 39°C for infants 3–6 months of age .
- Dimpled fontanelle
- Green or pale skin
- Have seizures
- Have abnormal breathing symptoms
Treatment for children with colic
Since the cause of colic is still unknown, there is no specific treatment. Also, colic usually improves or disappears on its own when the baby is around 3-4 months old . However, some medicines may help, such as simethicone, which can be dropped into a water bottle or applied to breast milk before feeding, which will help reduce gas or excess acid in the baby’s stomach. However, the use of medicine for babies should be consulted with a doctor first for safety, including the amount, size, and duration of use.