Colic: This, too, shall pass

The only positive thing that can be said about colic is that it is temporary. By month three or four, most colicky babies have stopped howling and peace lies over the household.

For the unfortunate fact is that a colicky baby is one of the things you cannot change. Or comfort. Or make better. And that's why colic is as hard on moms and dads as it is on the little red-faced bundles who have it. There is not much a parent can do to comfort a colicky baby.

Many doctors define colic by a rule of threes:

Crying three or more hours a day. Often, the crying will begin in the late afternoon and go on into the evening.

Extended crying three or more days a week

There are many theories about what causes colic, but nobody really knows. Some people believe colic is a milk allergy, but a lot of breastfed babies get colic, too. Although colicky babies may develop gas from swallowing too much air during their crying bouts, gas doesn't appear to cause the problem. A lot of doctors think that colic is somehow related to the baby's temperament and the way he adjusts to life in the world.

After you have made sure that the baby isn't hungry or stuck by a diaper pin and you realize you are in full "colic mode," try the following:

Put the baby in a swing. Sometimes the motion can temporarily help.

Put the baby on her tummy on your lap and rub her back. (Remember that due to the risk of SIDS, always put your baby on her back to sleep.)

Walk with her or rock her.

Go for a ride in the car. Realize, though, that this may just stave off the inevitable, but it might give you both a little relief from the misery.

Run your baby's symptoms by your pediatrician or take her in to see the doctor to make sure that nothing else is seriously wrong. This can help put your mind at rest, if nothing else.

Colic is one of the most stressful things a new parent has to endure. You are not a bad parent, and there is nothing wrong with your child. Also realize that the best parents in the world can be driven almost to the point of madness by the sound of a crying baby that they cannot comfort.

Call in the reserves to help you cope. Ask friends, neighbors and relatives to give you a break at some point during the colicky period. It is very important to have relief from the sound of the crying.

Also realize that there is nothing wrong with placing the baby in his crib for 10-15 minutes while you have a break. No human being can reasonably sustain hours of crying without a break. Your taking a breather won't make the baby worse, but it can help you cope.

Date last reviewed: October 2002.

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