$Unique_ID{PAR00039}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Colic}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Colic Colicky Crying cry cries bottle-fed breast-fed bleeding nipples
swallow swallowing blood abdominal cramp cramps}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Colic


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Crying for hours at a time
     - No other obvious cause of crying

     HOME CARE
     - Look for possible signs of illness or other causes of discomfort.
     - Offer a feeding to see if the baby is simply hungry.
     - If colic seems to be the problem, apply gentle heat to the baby's
       abdomen.
     - A pacifier may calm the child.
     - Try inserting a glycerine suppository or lubricated thermometer to help
       the child pass a bowel movement.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - If the baby is being bottle-fed, make sure that the formula is prepared
       properly.
     - Keep the bottle's nipple full to keep the baby from swallowing too much
       air.
     - Make sure that the bottle's nipple hole is large enough to allow the
       baby to finish feeding in less than 20 to 25 minutes.
     - After each feeding, carefully burp the baby in different positions.
     - If the baby is being breast-fed, be sure that the mother's nipples are
       not bleeding.  Swallowed blood causes cramps.
     - Between feedings, try keeping the baby partly upright in an infant
       carrier to avoid regurgitation of food into the esophagus (food tube).


     Colic is a relatively common condition characterized by fussiness and
long spells of crying that affects many infants (10 to 20 percent of babies in
the United States).  Often, babies with colic appear to be suffering from
cramp-like abdominal pains.  However, other babies with colic don't act like
they are experiencing any such abdominal discomfort--instead, their crying
seems related only to general irritability.  (In some babies, both factors may
be at work.)  Colic usually starts during the first few weeks of life and
lasts one to six months (an average of three months).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     The signs of colic are seen in the typical behavior of colicky infants.
A baby with colic cries for hours a day, particularly in the late afternoon
and evening.  The child often pulls the legs up, clenches the fists, screams,
and turns red.  The child may feed briefly but often stops feeding and returns
to crying.  Rocking and cuddling also stop the cries only briefly.  In other
respects, the infant is normal--the baby gains weight well, has normal bowel
movements, and doesn't spit up any more than most infants do.
     A variation of this typical form of colic occurs in the infant who wakes
frequently (every two hours or so), cries fretfully, takes one to two ounces
of formula or a few minutes at the mother's breast, falls into a fitful sleep,
and wakens later to repeat this pattern.

HOME CARE

     First check for obvious causes of crying and discomfort other than colic.
Consider diarrhea or constipation, loose diaper pins, severe diaper rash, a
trapped arm or leg, and signs of illness--fever, nasal discharge, cough,
reddened eyes, vomiting, hernia (a lump in the groin), or sores on the body.
The baby may also be either too hot or too cold.
     See whether your baby responds promptly to talking and cuddling and
remains comfortable.  (A baby in pain can be distracted, but only
temporarily.)  Giving the child a pacifier may help.
     Offer your baby a feeding.  If your baby takes an ample feeding and falls
asleep comfortably for several hours, the child was hungry, not colicky.  Keep
the baby partially upright in an infant carrier between feedings to avoid
regurgitation of food into the esophagus.
     if the baby is being breast-fed, check that the mother's nipples are not
bleeding--swallowed blood causes cramps.  It has also been suggested that if a
breast-feeding mother drinks too much cow's milk, this may cause cramps in the
infant.
     If your baby seems to be having abdominal discomfort, applying warmth to
the abdomen may temporarily relieve the problem.  Place a cloth diaper over
the infant's abdomen, and then place a warm (not hot) hot-water bottle on top
of the diaper.  On occasion, you may want to try inserting a glycerine
suppository or lubricated thermometer to induce a bowel movement.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Make sure that formula is properly prepared.
  -  When bottle-feeding your baby, make sure that the nipple is kept full;
     this will keep your baby from swallowing too much air.
  -  Make sure that the bottle's nipple hole is large enough so that the baby
     can finish feeding in a reasonable time (20 to 25 minutes).
  -  Carefully burp the baby in different positions after each feeding.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will check for signs of illness, such as sores in the mouth
or urinary tract problems.  A urinalysis may be ordered.  Your doctor also may
recommend a change in formula to investigate the possibility that the child is
allergic to the formula.  It is sometimes suggested that a breast-feeding
mother try eliminating all milk products from her diet.  The doctor may also
temporarily stop any solids already started to determine if the child is
allergic to certain foods.

RELATED TOPICS:  Constipation; Coughs; Diaper rash; Diarrhea in young
children; Fever; Food allergies; Hernia; Vomiting