Sleep Problems

When an infant cries or screams often and for extended periods without any apparent reason, the cause may be colic. Baby colic affects around one third of all newborns so it a fairly common problem. The baby suffers sharp intermittent abdominal pains and can’t seem to be easily soothed. Often the baby will extend its legs, arch its back, its face will become very red, fist will be clenched, gas will be passed but the baby will have a hard time passing stools.

Baby colic appears without warning causing your baby to cry out in pain and just as quickly it will disappear. Characteristics of baby colic also known as infant colic is repeated excessive crying episodes, in a baby between three weeks and three months, for no apparent reason. About 20% of all babies are affected by colic.

Since doctors don’t know the cause of colic in infants, defining the actually syndrome makes it difficult.

As you may have guessed however, there are a lot of theories floating around out there.

One such theory believes baby colic may have to do with the digestive system. The digestive system for some reason does not allow the release of gas. This build-up of gas would cause the baby severe stomach pain.

sleep problems

Other theories believe that baby colic is due to several factors such as adverse environmental condition, inherent sensitivity and possibly the baby’s premature nervous system. It is believed that these factors make for uncontrollable crying babies.

Other studies show that half the babies suffering from colic had some form of gastro-esophageal reflux and lactose intolerance. Baby colic is greatly influenced by gut flora which simply put is bacteria that live in our digestive tract that perform many useful functions such as helping in the digestion of our food.

Some researchers refer to gut flora as the forgotten organ. Lack of gut flora in a baby causes problems with the digestive system and the result is a fussy baby.

Although colic in newborns happens worldwide it is not considered a serious disorder since it will eventually disappear without any particular treatment. It seems to be at its worst between the ages of six to eight weeks.

Mothers who are breastfeeding should avoid foods that cause gas as this can be passed on to the baby. Also it should be noted that probiotics (which are helpful with digestion) occur naturally in breast milk so therefore the gut flora of a breast fed baby is quite different than a formula fed baby. Mothers who are breastfeeding and who change their diets have found their babies to be less colicky.

There are studies being done now to see if pre-natal stress, birth mother smoking during pregnancy and trauma at the actual birth can be contributing factors to colic.

As I said earlier there are many theories floating around about colic in newborns so thank goodness it is something that infants seem to grow out of.

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