Understanding The Signs Of Colic In Babies
If your baby is onto a different level of crying or showing signs of chronic irritability, then your infant might probably be suffering from a severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera such as the intestine, this is commonly known as "colic."
Colic presents during the early stages of infancy and is characterised in varying levels of severity. Since this is caused by gas trapped within the intestines or spasms from newly-formed intestines, most babies experience extreme discomfort and can even develop serious digestive problems if not paid proper attention.
About Colic In Infants
Colic refers to the extreme end of normal crying behaviours of babies with ages 3 weeks up to 3 months or from 6 to 8 weeks of age. Experts say that the amount of the baby's crying can be at varying levels and can be generally diagnosed as colic when a baby but cries extremely and excessively for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, of for more than 3 weeks.
Research shows that colic generally results from a combination of an infant's sensitive temperament, environment, and immature nervous system. These factors can easily make a baby cry and can be difficult to stop once the period started. Experts say that colic is Norman and is not usually related to serious health conditions like digestion problems. It can only lead to this if the baby develops intolerance to cow's milk protein, fructose, and transmission of medication by-products during breastfeeding.
Colic can be characterised in newborn babies if they show abnormally irritable attitude or cries for no apparent reason. Aside from crying vigorously for long periods despite your consoling efforts, colic can also be distinguished when the baby shows signs of gas discomfort or abdominal bloating, has a hard and swollen stomach, knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, an arched back, and experiences frequent sleeplessness, irritability and fussiness.
Usual symptoms of colic include extreme discomfort in a baby's tummy due to unreleased abdominal gas, but serious symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or blood or mucus in the stool are not. If you notice these symptoms, he or she might be suffering from a more serious digestive problem that needs immediate medical attention.
Distinguishing the signs of colic
Crying is the primal means of an infant to express him or herself. This is why experts say that it is only a common occurrence if a baby cries often everyday. At this point in their lives, crying is their first-learnt form of communication. However, if an infant shows sudden irritability, excessive crying for more than 3 hours a day, and suffer from noticeable discomfort, then this could be a sign of something more severe, like colic.
Indeed, one of the difficult phases of parenting is dealing with an infant when he or she shows signs of colic - a severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera such as the intestines. Known as a common problem from the first three weeks up to the first three months of a child' s life, colic is becoming one of the foremost concerns of more and more parents because they also experience pain and discomfort when their baby starts crying endlessly.
Usually evident from the first 3 weeks of an infant's life, colic consists of recurrent spasm and abdominal pain. This period of pain usually lasts from three hours up to 12 to 15 hours daily depending on the severity of the case.
When a baby suffers from colic, he or she becomes hypertonic and can show alternating body postures that involve contractions, sudden stretching, spastically stiffening while he or she turns red. When these signs occur, parents should start observing their babies intently because it might be a simple colic or can be signs of a more serious digestive problem.
One of the most common signs of colic in infants is excessive crying with no apparent reason. Statistics show that 1 in every 10 babies experience colic because it is an apparent abdominal pain experienced in early infancy. Usually, colic attacks are evident before, during and after each meal. The cry usually starts out and can continue for 3 hours and more. Aside from loud and excessive crying, periods of irritability, and body contractions are also apparent signs of colic. Other signs of colic include:
Since colic is common to babies, experts say that several measures can be done at hospital or even at home. Colic treatment at home may include the use of a pacifier, gently rocking the infant using a rocking chair or lap, massaging the infant's abdomen or back, ensuring a quiet and non-stimulating environment when colic period begins, changing the baby's diet and feeding techniques especially in breastfeeding and playing relaxing music.
Until now, doctors and people in the medical world have yet to discover the causes of colic in infants. Although, there have been various studies that indicate the possible causes of the condition that affects 20 percent of babies in the world. Researchers say that colic can originate in a baby’s intestines since he or she has sensitive and developing digestive and nervous system.
Others say that colic can be a result of some environmental factors like certain milk formulas and cow's milk for certain infants.
With Babies and children, it is ALWAYS advised to seek medical treatment. Ensure that you visit your doctor first to get the correct prescriptions for your child. Medical treatments may include simethicone drops like Maalox, Gas-X, Mylanta, and Phazyme to relieve gas, trying alternative to milk-based formulas like whey-based formulas, soy-based formulas, and hypoallergenic formulas.
To explore possible methods of providing relief naturally using Home-Remedy solutions for Colic in your child, here is a great site I found with Top Ten Home Remedies For Babies Suffering From Colic Symptoms.
If your baby is onto a different level of crying or showing signs of chronic irritability, then your infant might probably be suffering from a severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera such as the intestine, this is commonly known as "colic."Colic presents during the early stages of infancy and is characterised in varying levels of severity. Since this is caused by gas trapped within the intestines or spasms from newly-formed intestines, most babies experience extreme discomfort and can even develop serious digestive problems if not paid proper attention.
About Colic In Infants
Colic refers to the extreme end of normal crying behaviours of babies with ages 3 weeks up to 3 months or from 6 to 8 weeks of age. Experts say that the amount of the baby's crying can be at varying levels and can be generally diagnosed as colic when a baby but cries extremely and excessively for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, of for more than 3 weeks.
Research shows that colic generally results from a combination of an infant's sensitive temperament, environment, and immature nervous system. These factors can easily make a baby cry and can be difficult to stop once the period started. Experts say that colic is Norman and is not usually related to serious health conditions like digestion problems. It can only lead to this if the baby develops intolerance to cow's milk protein, fructose, and transmission of medication by-products during breastfeeding.Colic can be characterised in newborn babies if they show abnormally irritable attitude or cries for no apparent reason. Aside from crying vigorously for long periods despite your consoling efforts, colic can also be distinguished when the baby shows signs of gas discomfort or abdominal bloating, has a hard and swollen stomach, knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, an arched back, and experiences frequent sleeplessness, irritability and fussiness.
Usual symptoms of colic include extreme discomfort in a baby's tummy due to unreleased abdominal gas, but serious symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or blood or mucus in the stool are not. If you notice these symptoms, he or she might be suffering from a more serious digestive problem that needs immediate medical attention.
Distinguishing the signs of colic
Crying is the primal means of an infant to express him or herself. This is why experts say that it is only a common occurrence if a baby cries often everyday. At this point in their lives, crying is their first-learnt form of communication. However, if an infant shows sudden irritability, excessive crying for more than 3 hours a day, and suffer from noticeable discomfort, then this could be a sign of something more severe, like colic.
Indeed, one of the difficult phases of parenting is dealing with an infant when he or she shows signs of colic - a severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera such as the intestines. Known as a common problem from the first three weeks up to the first three months of a child' s life, colic is becoming one of the foremost concerns of more and more parents because they also experience pain and discomfort when their baby starts crying endlessly.
Usually evident from the first 3 weeks of an infant's life, colic consists of recurrent spasm and abdominal pain. This period of pain usually lasts from three hours up to 12 to 15 hours daily depending on the severity of the case.
One of the most common signs of colic in infants is excessive crying with no apparent reason. Statistics show that 1 in every 10 babies experience colic because it is an apparent abdominal pain experienced in early infancy. Usually, colic attacks are evident before, during and after each meal. The cry usually starts out and can continue for 3 hours and more. Aside from loud and excessive crying, periods of irritability, and body contractions are also apparent signs of colic. Other signs of colic include:
- Vigorous and excessive for long periods of time despite extreme efforts of consolation
- Onset crying that starts around the same time everyday or night and can be intermittent or constant.
- Suffers from gas discomfort- Slight bloating of the abdomen- Has a hard and bloated stomach- Unlikely and patterned body contortions like pulling of knees to the chest- Hard-clenched fists- Flailing arms and legs- Arched back- Frequent sleeplessness- Chronic irritability- Unreasonable fussiness- Reddening face due to ling periods of crying- Excessive belching or spitting up after feeding- Passing gas- Experience difficulty in passing stools
This list includes only the usual signs of colic. It is best if you visit a doctor once you see these symptoms in your baby so you can be sure that he or she is not experiencing more serious illness as early as now.Treating Colic
When a baby starts to suffer from colic, he or she can be very difficult to console. For parents, especially to those first timers, colic can leave a feeling of guilt, frustration, exhaustion, confusion, and inadequacy because of the periods of distress brings to both of you. If you're baby experiences colic and you would want to treat it, there are several options available for you. But make sure that that you visit your paediatrician or doctor first before giving your child any treatment options such as medication, remedy, or supplement.Since colic is common to babies, experts say that several measures can be done at hospital or even at home. Colic treatment at home may include the use of a pacifier, gently rocking the infant using a rocking chair or lap, massaging the infant's abdomen or back, ensuring a quiet and non-stimulating environment when colic period begins, changing the baby's diet and feeding techniques especially in breastfeeding and playing relaxing music.
Until now, doctors and people in the medical world have yet to discover the causes of colic in infants. Although, there have been various studies that indicate the possible causes of the condition that affects 20 percent of babies in the world. Researchers say that colic can originate in a baby’s intestines since he or she has sensitive and developing digestive and nervous system.
Others say that colic can be a result of some environmental factors like certain milk formulas and cow's milk for certain infants.
With Babies and children, it is ALWAYS advised to seek medical treatment. Ensure that you visit your doctor first to get the correct prescriptions for your child. Medical treatments may include simethicone drops like Maalox, Gas-X, Mylanta, and Phazyme to relieve gas, trying alternative to milk-based formulas like whey-based formulas, soy-based formulas, and hypoallergenic formulas.
To explore possible methods of providing relief naturally using Home-Remedy solutions for Colic in your child, here is a great site I found with Top Ten Home Remedies For Babies Suffering From Colic Symptoms.
