Colic

Colic is a condition in a healthy baby where he or she will cry for no obvious reason. This crying can last up to three hours a day and is not because the child is hungry, indisposed or unwell. This condition is very frustrating for the parents, where nothing seems to help. At times your child may cry the whole night, only to fall asleep when he or she is tired and exhausted of crying. Colic is not a disease, it is just a state that many infants go through, which they grow out of fairly soon. However, it is a tough situation to cope up with and parents need to be counselled to cope up with it. The way to know if your child is colicky is to understand his pattern of crying. He or she will start crying at a higher and much shrill pitch, with no apparent reason and will stop all of a sudden. Your colicky baby may also show signs of a gassy tummy. Gas doesn't cause colic, but he might be extra gassy because a baby with colic often swallows air when he cries.

When to seek expert adviCe

As a mother, you’ll be able to understand your child’s patterns in a day or two. If you feel your child is not crying because he or she is scared, has suffered an injury or is hungry, you should consult a doctor at the Department of Paediatrics at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. Specifically discuss the following issues if they arise:

• Your baby has a bluish-cast on his or her lips or skin during a crying episode.
  

• Your baby is crying excessively, especially if there is a change in your baby's eating, sleeping or behaviour.
  

Many doctors suggest keeping a baby diary, which basically helps you document your baby’s patterns and relate it to the doctor if such a situation arises when nothing is being indicated. Apart from the eating and crying pattern, you should also understand your child’s sleeping pattern.​