Baby Colic vs Normal Crying: A Guide for New Parents

Crying is one of the first means of communication that the baby can use. Crying may be caused by hunger, tiredness, discomfort, over stimulation, or just the desire to cuddle. However, constant crying may become quite confusing for new parents.

One of the issues that can confuse parents is whether the baby cries normally or is suffering from colic. It is important to know the difference between these states.

Why Do Newborn Babies Cry?

Babies cannot vocalize their needs, thus, crying becomes the only means of communication they have. Babies cry because they feel hungry, wet diapers, tiredness, gas discomfort, temperature differences, and over-stimulation.

At times, babies just want cuddling and comfort, and there are babies who show changes in their cry patterns depending on the time of the day within the early months of their lives.

Normal crying does not automatically mean there is something wrong going on. Knowing your baby’s normal behaviors will make you better aware of changes.

What Is Baby Colic?

Colic normally describes episodes of excessive crying which are hard to soothe in an otherwise healthy infant. Colic does not have a definite test that will prove the condition. The pattern of the crying is normally used in diagnosing the problem while excluding other causes.

Colic normally starts once the baby is several weeks old, but usually improves with age. The infant normally becomes easier to soothe after about three or four months.

Colic may cause stress in the parent, but it is normally temporary.

How Can You Tell Colic From Normal Crying?

Baby colic versus regular crying is usually associated with the intensity, duration and the difficulty of comforting the baby.

An infant with colic will continue to cry intensively and persistently despite having been fed, cleaned and comforted. During such times, the baby may clench its fists, draw its knees to its abdomen, arch its back and generally look very distressed.

Some of the signs may include:

• Long or frequent episodes of crying
• Difficult-to-soothe crying
• Reddened face while crying
• Clenched fists
• Knees drawn to the abdomen
• Persistent crying, usually late in the day

Such signs alone don’t mean that the baby is suffering from colic. Such symptoms may also be exhibited due to other causes of distress and parents should be cautious not to self-diagnose.

Check the Basic Causes First

It is important to rule out certain basic factors before diagnosing colic in an infant.

Is the baby hungry? Is the nappy full? Is the baby too hot or too cold? Has the baby been kept awake for too long?

The method of feeding is also another factor to consider. If there is continuous crying before, during, or after the feedings, then problems such as feeding problems, sucking in air, or regurgitation may sometimes cause crying.

Recording of feeding times, sleeping, and crying periods is an effective way of gathering information on how to address the problem.

What Can Help Soothe a Crying Baby?

But there is no one way that applies to all infants. The infant can be cuddled, rocked gently, taken for a walk, the environment kept quiet and soothing sounds played in the background. In some cases, an infant responds well to a bedtime routine.

If the crying is related to feeding, then parents should seek advice from a healthcare professional regarding position, attachment or other issues.

Avoid Unnecessary Remedies

Frequent crying makes the parents seek fast relief. This could be anything from medicines to herbs or rapid changes in feeding.

The parents should consult with a pediatrician or any other healthcare professional before administering any medicines to the baby. The colic usually fades away with time, and there is no single remedy for all babies.

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

Excessive crying does not necessarily imply colic. Medical opinion is required if the crying appears abnormal or if other worrying signs are exhibited.

Especially important is when there are feeding problems or trouble breathing, fever or drowsiness.

Even if you are uncertain about the reason for the baby’s crying but you are concerned, it is perfectly acceptable to consult with a health care professional.

Parents Need Support Too

Crying can become quite tiring for the parents when it is accompanied by disturbed sleep and the challenges that come with taking care of a new baby. Having someone to lend a hand in such an instance will allow the parents to get some rest knowing that their baby is still being taken care of.

It is essential to know the differences between baby colic and normal crying not because you need to diagnose your baby. The aim is simply to understand what is common, how you should use soothing techniques and when you need professional advice. Swaasaa Healthcare offers professional mother and baby care at home.