Understanding The Signs and Symptoms of Colic

Every new parent wishes to somehow magically understand what their newborn is trying to communicate via crying. Well, sadly there is no other way they can communicate with us, except for the crying. So, during the first few months, it is crucial to pay attention to their crying pattern. Besides, if your baby has colic, it will have a completely different crying pattern.

Don’t be alarmed if your baby has colic. Newborns with colic are healthy in every way. They will eat, digest, and grow as normally as any baby will. However, expect them to cry more than other babies. Most colic babies cry at one particular time during the day, usually, this time is in the evening. The common crying pattern that colic babies exhibit are:

• They will cry for no specific reason. For instance, they will continue crying even after being fed or even when their diaper is dry and clean.
• Their cries are more like screaming.
• Normal babies cry for about 2 hours a day. However, a colic baby might cry for 3 hours or so in a day.
• The baby will cry at one specific time every day.
• You will not be able to soothe a colic baby once they start crying, at least not for a couple of minutes.

When you are unable to handle the situation yourself, it is best to get in touch with your pediatrician. Your pediatrician will prescribe some colic relief meds. One of the common pediatric products well-known in Canada is Dr. Chase Pediatrics Kolik Gripe Water. It is a fast-acting, all-natural product that helps colic babies quickly, but gently. It is formulated using anti-gas and stomach-calming properties. Overall, it is a perfectly safe product for your little one.

Some specific colic symptoms

• Baby might clench their fists tightly
• Bend their arms towards their stomach
• Bloated tummy
• Have a flushed face while crying
• Pass gas while crying
• Keep on tightening their stomach muscles

How do doctors diagnose colic?

Looking at the crying pattern and other symptoms of your baby, the doctor will be able to tell if he/she is colic. If you are planning to visit your pediatrician to get your baby diagnosed for colic, ensure writing the answers for the following questions, as your doctor will ask for them.

• When exactly the baby starts crying and for how long?
• How does the cry sound, is it louder than usual?
• Does anything happen that makes the baby extra fussy?
• Does anything work to calm down the baby?
• When and what your baby eats?
• What is the pooping timing of your baby? And how does the poop look?

After acquiring all these details from you, your doctor will conduct a few exams if he/she finds it necessary. This is to examine if there are other reasons your baby is crying. These tests will be to check if the baby is:

• Allergic or sensitive towards the food you feed.
• Uncomfortable because it is too hot or cold.
• Hungry
• Experiencing pain from any injury
• Experiencing refluxes

To summarize it can be said that when you aren’t sure if your baby is colic or not, it is best to consult your pediatrician sooner than later. After all, the sooner you know the condition, the sooner you can start with the treatment.