Definition
Colic in babies is a condition in which the baby is healthy but cries excessively. Colic in these babies is not a disease that can endanger the baby. Colic in infants is characterized by frequent excessive crying, approximately 3 hours per day, 3 days a week for 3 weeks, even more than that. This condition can make it difficult for parents and babies.
However, you should know that colic in babies is relatively short-term. Colic will stop in about weeks, months, colic will stop. This condition will pass the first challenge in the parenting process.
How common is colic in babies?
This condition is generally said to be severe, if the baby is around 6-8 weeks old, and disappears on its own at around 8-14 weeks. Conditions that occur can be treated by reducing the risk factors. You are encouraged to consult a doctor for further information.
Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of colic that occur in babies?
When babies are fussy and cry it is said to be normal, and they don’t always have colic disease. In a healthy baby, there are several signs of the condition including:
Predictable crying episodes
Babies who have colic will cry a lot, usually in the afternoon or evening at the same time. These episodes can last approximately several minutes, even hours. At the end of a colic episode, the baby will pass gas and defecate.
Intense crying that cannot be relieved
A crying baby that results from intense colic will look miserable and cry in high tones. The baby’s face will look red, even the crying is difficult to stop.
Crying for no apparent reason
In babies, crying is sometimes said to be a normal thing. Crying babies usually need something, such as eating and diaper condition. However, if the baby cries continuously for no reason, this indicates colic.
Change in baby’s posture
Circular baby feet, tight abdominal muscles and clenched fists are common conditions during a colic episode.
When to see a doctor
Early diagnosis and treatment can stop colic in babies. Therefore, consult your doctor to prevent this condition. Babies who cry incessantly, are not always said to be colic. You should see a doctor immediately if your baby has:
- High fever> 38oC
- Less active
- Lack of breastfeeding
- Weak sucking while feeding
- Watery stools and even bloody
- Spit on
- There is weight gain and loss
- Crying non-stop
Cause
What causes colic in babies?
This disease can occur in babies due to several causes. Causes that can cause colic to occur in babies include:
- Allergy
- Lactose Intolerance
- Normal bacterial changes in the digestive system
- The baby’s digestive system is not fully developed
Risk factor
There are several risk factors that can cause colic, including the following.
- When pregnant, the mother has a smoking habit. So that at the time after giving birth, the baby has a big risk of getting colic.
- Several theories explain what causes colic in babies. However, no one has been able to prove it. As one example, colic is rare in first children, formula-fed babies, and girls and boys. Whatever the order and how it is fed, are able to experience the condition with similar numbers.
Also Read: Overcoming Colic in Babies
Complications
What are the complications of a baby with colic?
Colic disease, will not cause short and long term health problems in babies. However, this condition can cause parents to become anxious and even stressed. There are several links between colic and the following problems:
- Increased risk factors for depression after childbirth in mothers
- Early breastfeeding will be stopped
- Feelings of guilt, helplessness and anger
If the parent is anxious about calming the baby, try to stay calm. You don’t get emotional, by shaking the baby. Shaking a baby can cause brain damage to death. The risk of this uncontrolled reaction is greater.
This is due to a lack of parental knowledge, to calm a baby who is crying incessantly. Knowledge about colic disease, as well as family support is needed in this condition.
Diagnosis
If the doctor suspects that the baby has colic, he will perform a physical examination and several other tests. These examinations that are carried out include:
- Measurement of the baby’s height, weight and head circumference
- Hear the sound of the baby’s heart, lungs and baby’s stomach
- Assess reactions to touch and movement
- Conduct research on limbs, such as fingers and toes, eyes, ears and genitals
- Look for signs of skin rashes, inflammation, and other signs of infection and allergies.
In addition, the doctor will also suggest recording when and how often the baby cries per day. If the baby shows symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, the doctor will immediately perform laboratory tests to find out what causes it.
Treatment
You can do some of the following remedies to treat colic that occurs in babies. However, you must still consult your doctor first. Some of these treatment options are:
This type of drug is a type of medicine that is classified as safe. Except, if the baby must take medication to replace the thyroid.
Probiotics are substances that can help and maintain the balance of natural bacteria. These natural bacteria exist in the digestive system.
Lifestyle changes and home remedies
The following are some of the lifestyle and home remedies that can treat colic. Let’s look at the following explanation.
Hold the baby in an upright position while breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding, you can do this b
y first feeding one breast until it runs out. After that, just switch to the other breast again. It is able to give hindmilk babies. Hindmilk is rich in fat, and has the potential to be more satisfying to babies.
Follow baby calming strategies
It will help you if you come up with a strategy to overcome this colic. These strategies include:
- Take the baby for a walk or play in the stroller
- Swing the baby
- Wrap the baby using a blanket
- Bathing the baby using warm water
- Perform gentle massage on the baby’s stomach and back
- Plays quiet voice audio to make baby relax
Change formula milk
Like breast milk, formula milk causes no symptoms. However, switching to a formula with a hydrolyzate type can treat colic. This is said if the baby is allergic to cow’s milk and intolerance to milk.
Change milk bottles
There are several bottles or nipples with several options. You can try a type of pacifier that can reduce colic symptoms. A bottle or pacifier that has a foldable bag, can reduce the air that is swallowed by the baby.
What can parents do to avoid worrying about babies experiencing colic?
Calming the baby when a colic condition can cause parents to worry and even stress. Here are some ways that can help you deal with anxiety.
- Take a break
- Use the crib for short breaks
- Express feelings
- Stay healthy
- Develop a rescue plan
Hope it is useful.
