Colic on babies

Colic on babies

Causes, signs , symptoms

An uncomfortable condi­tion commonly manifested by sudden crying of the baby usually in the evening or late afternoon. Other signs in­clude tense and slightly dis­tended stomach, clenched hands, and cold legs which may stiffen or pull up against the abdomen. Emotional fac­tors may contribute to the occurrence of the colic. Irri­table and highstrung babies are more prone to frequent attacks. Tension and quar­rels in the home may increase its frequency. Colic occurs most often during the first 3 months after birth and rarely persist thereafter.

Treatment

1. Hold, gently rock, or let baby lie on his or her stomach during colic attack.

2. Breast-feed the baby. Breast-fed babies have less chance of having colic than bottle-fed ba­bies. For bottle-fed ba­bies, check milk formula and nipples to make sure they are right and of proper size, respectively. Improve feeding techniques. Always hold baby in a semi-lying po­sition when feeding.

3. Burp the baby after ev­ery feeding by holding him or her upright close to your shoulder or let­ting him or her lie on the stomach.

4. Avoid or minimize ten­sion and quarrels. Try to maintain a warm, stable, and secure emotional environment.