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| Main > Infant > Common Infant Problems
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Colic
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Colic is a common problem affecting ten percent of newborns and is defined as unexplained crying in a healthy, well fed infant. It commonly begins in a two or three week old baby as bouts of unexplained crying that lasts for one to three hours and usually occurs in the late afternoon or early evening. It is not known what causes colic, but it is not thought to be secondary to abdominal pain, formula allergies (unless your baby also has diarrhea, vomiting or is not gaining weight), or gas.
You can expect improvement by six weeks and colic should resolve by the time your baby is three to four months old. Until then some things that you may try as treatment to comfort your baby include:
- swaddling
- cuddling
- rhythmic rocking
- going for a ride
- warm baths
- singing
- rhythmic sounds
- massages
- using a pacifier
- or anything else you think may be helpful.
It can be frustrating taking care of a baby with colic, so get help if you are having trouble coping with your infant's crying. Remember that you should never shake your baby, which can cause shaken baby syndrome. Get help if you think you might harm your baby.
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