Does your baby cry all the time in the evening? Let's talk about colic!

Becoming a new mother or father is a time of great joy, but it also means a lot of stress. After working hard all day, by the evening, your baby starts crying nonstop. No matter how much you feed him, change his diaper, or rock him, he won't stop crying. You can't find any reason. Have you had this experience? Then your baby may have a condition that is familiar to many mothers. We call it Colic. Don't worry, we will talk about it all today.

What exactly is Colic?

Simply put, Colic is when a healthy baby cries excessively and continuously for no apparent reason. The important thing here is that the baby has no other illnesses, is breastfeeding well, and is gaining weight well, but at a specific time of day, especially in the evening or at night, they cry for hours on end.

Doctors use a little "rule of threes" to diagnose this condition. That is:

• Crying for more than three hours a day.
• I cry like this at least three days a week.
• This continues for more than three weeks .

It's normal for babies to cry. They communicate with us by crying when they're hungry, when they're wet, or when they're sleepy. But it's very difficult to comfort a baby with colic when they're crying. They scream and scream for no apparent reason. When the crying stops, they're back to normal.

We know this can be very stressful for new parents. But the good news is that colic is not harmful to the baby and has no long-term effects. It will get better on its own after a while.

When does colic start and end?

Colic usually starts within the first few weeks of a baby's birth. It peaks between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Then, by the time the baby is 3 or 4 months old, the crying often stops almost immediately.

How do you know if your baby has colic?

Babies with colic are otherwise very healthy. But when they cry for hours on end, they can also show these symptoms. Let's see what they are.

Even with these symptoms, if the baby is breastfeeding well and gaining weight, it is more likely to be colic.

Why do babies get colic? What are the causes?

In fact, researchers still haven't found a definitive cause for colic, but there are several factors that are thought to contribute to it.

• Stomach pain or discomfort: When a baby drinks or cries, they swallow air. This air can become trapped in the stomach, causing gas and stomach pain.
• Immaturity of the digestive system: Newborn babies' intestines and digestive system are not yet fully developed, which can cause difficulty in digesting food.
• Reflux: The backflow of stomach contents into the throat (reflux). This can cause discomfort for the baby.
• Food Allergies: Sometimes the baby may be allergic to foods the mother eats (if breastfeeding) or to proteins in formula.
• Sensory overload: The amount of things a baby sees and hears throughout the day (lights, sounds) becomes too much for their brain to handle, and they may cry in the evening to release the stress.
• Early onset of migraine: Some doctors believe this may be one of the first signs of migraine in childhood.

The impact of colic on parents

Although colic is not harmful to the baby, it is a great stress for parents, especially mothers. It is difficult to put into words the helplessness, anger, and sadness that one feels when their baby is tired all day and cries nonstop at night. This stress can sometimes lead to serious situations.

1. Postpartum Depression: The depression that mothers experience after giving birth can be made worse by the baby's constant crying.

2. Shaken Baby Syndrome: Shaking a baby out of frustration or anger when the baby's cries are unbearable. This is extremely dangerous. Shaking a baby can cause brain damage, blindness, or even death.

What can we do to comfort the baby?

While there is no definitive "cure" for colic, there are a few things you can try to ease your baby's discomfort and get some relief for yourself. Not all babies are the same, so if one method doesn't work, try another.

1. Let's be careful about food and drink.

• If you are breastfeeding: Keep a diary of the foods you eat. Some foods can pass through your milk to your baby and cause discomfort. Try cutting out dairy, coffee, chocolate, peanuts, cabbage, and spicy foods for a while. Also, ask your doctor about any medications you are taking.
• If you are feeding formula: Your baby may not be absorbing a protein in the formula you are feeding. Talk to your pediatrician about switching to a different formula. Also, try feeding small amounts of milk frequently, rather than giving large amounts at once.

2. Try these things to soothe your baby

These methods can help comfort your baby when he or she cries.

Anytime you want to see a doctor

Although colic is a common condition, it is important to rule out other serious causes of your baby's crying. Therefore, even if you think your baby has colic, it is best to see a doctor at least once to confirm.

Also, if you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.

• If you have a fever.
• If you vomit (especially if it is green or mixed with blood).
• If you have diarrhea.
• If there is blood in the stool.
• If the baby's weight gain has stopped.
• If there is a big change in the baby's behavior, if he loses his usual cheerfulness and becomes gloomy.

In such a situation, the best thing to do is to take the baby to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

How do you take care of yourself?

This is also very important. To take care of your baby, you first need to be well. Taking care of a baby with colic is very tiring. It is normal for you to feel frustrated, angry, and sad.

• Ask for help: When you feel tired, ask a trusted family member or friend to watch the baby for a while and take a break. Get out of the house and clear your head.
• Take a break: If you don't have anyone to help you, leave the baby in a safe place, like his crib, and leave the room for a while. It's okay for the baby to be alone for a few minutes. Calm down and go back to the baby.
• Remember, this is temporary: this crying won't last forever. Soon, all this will be over and you'll only get to see your baby's smile.

Finally, adults can also get a condition called Colic. It is a severe pain caused by a blockage in the intestines or urinary tract (`Biliary Colic`, `Renal Colic`). But it is a completely different condition than infant colic.

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