Colic

About one out of every five newborn babies suffer the frequent, prolonged crying bouts known as colic. Spells of colicky crying can occur at any time of day, but they are most common in the late afternoon and evening. The causes of this nerve-racking but fortunately harmless problem of infancy are poorly understood, but it's currently felt that immaturity of some part of the baby's system—possibly the digestive tract, possibly the nervous system—may be to blame.

HOW DOES COLIC DEVELOP?
The exact source of a colicky baby's distress remains a mystery. In any discussion of colic, however, it is important to emphasize that all babies cry, often for reasons parents cannot fathom. The baby may be fed, changed, rocked, sung to and soothed in every imaginable way and still keep crying. The question, then, is when this normal crying signifies colic. By some definitions, true colic exists only when babies cry for three or more hours straight, every day (or almost every day) at about the same time of day—usually between 6 and 11 P.M. This pattern generally begins between the second and fourth weeks of life and lasts for three or four months.

WHEN SHOULD I SUSPECT THAT MY INFANT HAS COLIC?
Babies with colic typically start crying suddenly and appear to be in pain. Their eyes are squeezed shut, the mouth is open, the fists are clenched, and the legs are drawn up to the abdomen or stretched out stiffly. Because these crying bouts typically end with the passage of rectal gas or bowel movements, it is assumed that the gastrointestinal tract is somehow involved. Colic is more common among firstborns and males, although no one knows why.

WHAT CAUSES COLIC?
The current favorite explanations for colic are an immature digestive tract, gas in the small intestine or the infant's frustration at her inability to interact with the environment. Some doctors suspect that infants are most vulnerable at the end of the day because they can sense the household tension that normally begins to mount at that time.

Colic is usually caused by an allergy to cow's milk or a component of formula. Often a colicky child has her food changed repeatedly, only to find one that seems to be tolerable at just about the time the persistent crying is normally outgrown. Also, contrary to popular belief, breast-fed babies develop colic as frequently as do bottle-fed children.

IS MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY?
Not for colic itself. You should, however, mention the baby's crying pattern to the pediatrician during a regular checkup so that she can rule out physical problems that could be responsible. Always consult a doctor if a crying session lasts more than four hours.

Once physical problems are ruled out, the pediatrician can offer reassurance that the baby is fine and support for the parents as they cope with the problem. Often, parents relax and cope more effectively as soon as they know that the baby is healthy and the symptoms never last more than three months.

COPING WITH COLIC
If picking up and carrying the baby seems to help, go right ahead and do it; you cannot spoil your infant. The Symptom Finder offers more tips for dealing with colic and crying.