Baby colic is a challenging and stressful problem for parents that often causes them a lot of worry and sometimes even makes them feel like they can't soothe their baby.. Read this article till the end for solutions to manage this condition and experience more peaceful days.

What is baby colic?

Colic or colic means that the baby cries for more than three weeks without being sick or hungry, at least three days a week and for more than three hours every day.... This condition can be exhausting for parents.... because the baby's discomfort occurs for no apparent reason and nothing seems to relieve him.... Colic often happens in the evening.. It means that the parents are tired.

Experts believe that colic may occur regardless of gender, birth order and type of feeding (breast feeding or bottle feeding).. In addition, they have noticed that children with this condition do not differ from other peers in terms of development.

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When does baby colic start?

Colic usually starts around the third week after birth and peaks in the fourth to sixth week.

When will baby colic end?

In most cases, colic gets better after 6 weeks and is completely gone by 12 weeks.

Symptoms of baby colic

Features of colic include the following:

• Crying occurs for no apparent reason and lasts from a few minutes to a few hours.
• Crying is intense and is similar to screaming or expressing pain.
• The child is very restless even after the crying subsides.
• It happens at certain times, especially in the evenings.
• The color of the face changes and becomes flushed or red.
• The legs and arms are stiff, the fists are clenched and the stomach is swollen.
• Sometimes the symptoms disappear after passing gas or having a bowel movement.. The gas may have entered the child's digestive tract due to swallowing air during prolonged crying.

Although babies with colic appear to have colic, they eat well and gain weight normally.

Complications of infant colic

Colic does not cause short-term or long-term medical problems for the baby, but it is stressful for the parents and causes them to face the following problems:

• Increasing the risk of postpartum depression in mothers
• Early termination of breastfeeding
• Feelings of guilt, tiredness, helplessness or anger

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Shaken child syndrome

Sometimes the stress of calming a baby causes parents to shake their baby or otherwise harm them... Shaking a baby can lead to serious brain damage and even death.... Ignorance of parents about ways to calm a crying child and lack of support to care for him increases the risk of these uncontrolled reactions.

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Time to see a doctor

If your child has the following conditions, contact the pediatrician:

• He cries a lot and you can't calm him down.
• She is three months old and still has colic.

Also, see a doctor immediately if:

• The child's behavior or crying pattern changes suddenly.
• The child has fever, severe vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool or other stomach problems.

What is the effect of baby colic?

The cause of infant colic is unknown.... This complication may be caused by many factors.... Therefore, it is difficult for researchers to explain all its important features... For example, why it usually starts at the end of the first month of life, occurs at certain times of the day, and goes away on its own... However, the following factors are likely to play a role:

• Incomplete digestive system
• Imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive system
• Food allergy or intolerance
• Overeating, undereating or not burping regularly
• Primary form of childhood migraine
• Family stress or anxiety

Some illnesses may resemble colic.... If you are concerned about your child's health, the doctor can perform a thorough examination to rule out the following problems:

• infection
• Acid reflux or stomach problems
• allergy to formula or breast milk
• Pressure or inflammation in the brain and nervous system
• Irregular heartbeat

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Diagnosis of infant colic

There is no specific test to diagnose colic... Therefore, the doctor will ask about the child's symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination focusing on the following:

• Weight, height and head circumference
• Sound of heart, lungs and stomach
• The condition of body parts, including fingers and toes, eyes, ears and genitals
• Response to touch or movement
• skin color

In addition, the doctor may prescribe tests to rule out other disorders.... You can consult your pediatrician for more information about this.

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Treatment of infant colic

Since no clear cause has been identified for infant colic, there is no specific treatment for it....however, your doctor will recommend some things that may give your baby relief....try them one at a time and if it doesn't work after a few days, move on to the next option.

1... the best medicine for infant colic

Many parents ask the question of what is the best colic drop or syrup for a baby... In response, we have to say that there is no specific medicine for definitive treatment of baby colic.... However, various products containing simethicone and herbs such as fennel have been marketed that may reduce colic symptoms.

Before using colic syrup or drops for a baby boy or girl, be sure to consult a pediatrician... because these types of products may not be suitable for your baby.

2... home treatment of infant colic

If your baby has colic:

• Make sure he's not hungry.
• If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor if the medications you take or the foods you eat may cause irritation or an allergic reaction in your baby.
• Change the position of your child's body....sit or lie down...also hold him/her in your arms when walking.
• Massage the baby's belly or back.
• Use a pacifier.
• Wrap the child in a blanket.
• Use warm water to bathe your child.
• Use white noise (such as a fan, washing machine or dishwasher).
• Leave the child in the car or take it out with a stroller.

Self-care of parents to reduce stress

Giving birth to a baby with colic can be challenging, so take care of yourself with the following tips:

• Rest. You and your partner should take turns taking care of the baby....you can also ask a friend to do it.
• Express your feelings. It is normal to feel helpless, depressed, guilty or angry in this situation... share your feelings with family members, friends and your child's doctor.
• Don't judge yourself. Don't measure your success as a parent by how much your baby cries... colic is not a bad result of parenting.
• Take care of your health. When the baby sleeps, eat healthy foods and exercise.... Also, avoid alcohol and drugs.

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Endword

Colic can be a tiring and stressful experience for parents... But with proper management and the use of appropriate methods, its symptoms can be reduced... If you need guidance on the quick treatment of baby colic, see a pediatrician... Also, if your baby's crying is very intense and does not decrease with any method, consult a doctor about this.

You can visit the website of GCORP LLC and consult the best specialist doctors including Pediatrics Online... You can also make an appointment with the specialist of your choice through the online appointment system to see a pediatrician in person.

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