infant colic

All babies cry. It is a simple and effective means of communication, and is your baby's way of letting you know that they are hungry, tired, cold, or in need of a nappy change.

However, sometimes babies cry for no obvious reason, even though they are well-fed, clean, warm and well cared for. If your baby has repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying, and they otherwise appear to be thriving and healthy, then they probably have colic.

Colic is very common in newborn babies and it is thought to affect around 20% of infants. The condition normally starts a few weeks after birth, and continues for the first three to four months of life. Although it may appear that your baby is in distress, colic is not harmful, and your baby will continue to feed and gain weight normally. There is no evidence that colic has any long term effects.

Colic can be extremely upsetting for parents. You may feel like you are letting your baby down, or that you are doing something wrong. However, although colic can be distressing at the time, remember that it is a common phase which will pass in a few weeks, or months.

Search the site