How to Know If a Baby Has Colic
All babies cry because that is their only form of communication. Parents get to know the different types of cries of their child very quickly--the hungry cry, the wet diaper cry, the tired cry and so on. Some infants cry seemingly without a reason for what may really be or just seem like hours at a time. According to the experts at the National Library of Medicine, approximately 20 percent of all babies cry in a pattern that is called colic. It can be hard to tell if your baby has colic, but ruling out other causes can help you figure it out.
Instructions
Check all of the standard possibilities when your baby is crying to rule out hunger, a soiled diaper, the need for a nap or simply boredom. Babies with colic usually continue to cry even when all of their immediate needs are met. Note your baby's age when you are trying to determine if she has colic. Most infants who are colicky begin this phase when they are around three weeks old. By six weeks, the crying has usually gotten less frequent, and at three months, most babies (and their parents) have come through the other side of colic. If your baby does not fit into those age parameters, she may not have colic. Keep a log of the uncontrollable bouts of crying. Colicky crying tends to appear at the same time each day and is most often in the evening or at night. Write down when and for how long your baby cries as a kind of diagnostic tool. Experiment with your own diet if you are a nursing mom. Sometimes colic can be brought on by changes in the baby's food. Mothers who nurse may try to eliminate cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli and dairy products, as these foods can cause more gas in a breastfed child. Bring your infant to the pediatrician for a check up. Take your cry journal with you and explain the symptoms you have noticed in your child. The doctor will examine your baby and will be able to tell you if there is another reason for his crying or if he thinks the situation is colic.
