Colic

Colic, or infant colic, is a condition where a healthy child screams or cries for an extended period of time without any discernable reason. Colic typically manifests itself in the first month of a child's life and continues for three or four months.

There has been no specific cause identified for colic, so it can often be difficult for doctors to treat.

Here are a few of the suspected causes of colic:

Gas trapped in the digestive tract.
A lack of gut flora, specifically Lactobacillius acidopholus
A baby's sensitivity to its surroundings or environment.

But whatever the cause, it is important to know that it will not last long and soon your baby will no longer have colic, as it seems to go away as quickly as it came.

Some typical treatments are as follows:

Swaddling the baby tight and holding them close.
Rocking or swaying gently with the baby to music
Hold baby vertically.
Making soft gentle sounds close to baby's ear such as shhhh
Giving the baby something to suck on such as a pacifier or bottle.
Fennel, which is commonly found in a product called Gripe Water
Simethicone, an ingredient commonly found in products labeled for baby gas can possibly help.
Herbal Teas (use with guidance of Doctor)
Turning on white noise such as a fan (not on the baby though
Play music and dance softly while holding baby.

While having a colicky baby can cause a lack of sleep, and some discomfort to the home, it is important to remember that a baby can only express discomfort by crying. It's not your fault that the baby is crying, but it is important to remember to keep your cool and not get upset at the baby. If you need a break don't be afraid to call someone to come help.