An unending session of crying- colic

Colic is a condition which affects infants. In this condition the baby keeps crying for continuous hours. This crying session drags on for more than three hours a day for an entire week.

It is a harmless behavior which takes a toll on the parents due to lack of sleep. Even when the baby is fed well it still keeps crying. A healthy and well-fed baby would still go through this trauma of continuous crying.

Infant girls and boys are equally affected by this condition and nearly 20% get affected by this condition.

Causes And Symptoms

This condition usually starts between the 3rd and 6th week after delivery and may continue till the baby is three months old. If this continues for more than that period of, it can be some other health problem. There is no single reason which can be pinpointed for this condition. Some of the stipulated reasons are change of place, stomach ache, sensitive to some food and many more. One of the common sign of colic condition is the crying, refusal to eat, fussy and moody behavior, lack of energy, uncomfortable pain, need to be cuddled all time and sometimes vomiting.

Measures to prevent this condition

-Babies who are bottle fed can be provided relief by changing the formula
-Changing the place/environment
-Mothers who breast fed, should avoid food such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, parsnip, beans caffeine, alcohol, spicy food and many more which may trigger such reaction
-Babies may not be happy about the cow’s milk because it is not easy to digest
-Get the baby to burp after every meal as it really important for the baby to be fit and happy

Home Remedies for Colic

-You can dissolve peppermint in 9oz warm water. It makes a huge difference in your baby’s behavior.

-You can use gripe water to treat this condition.

-Asafetida mixed in water given to the baby also works.

-Humming your favorite song or switching on any machine which has a slight humming sound may just be helpful.

-You can take the baby for a long drive which helps the baby to soothe down.

-Baby may be suffering from gas, to cure it cut small pieces of the first layer of onion and boil it in 3 cups of water. After boiling this for a while, mix 1 tsp of this solution in your baby’s formula.

-Rub heated olive oil after cooling, on your child’s’ belly in circular motion to provide relief.

-Providing baby with warm compression also proves to be very useful.

-In one cup of boiled water add one teaspoon of anise, fennel or cumin seeds. Let it sit for 15 minutes and when cool enough let your baby have it. It really helps.