Colic 101: what is it, and how can I manage it?

Colic is one of those words that is all-too familiar to new parents.

And as familiar as the word may be, you don’t really know what it is until you have to.

That’s why I’m here… to give you as much knowledge as I can on the issue.

So, firstly, what exactly is it?

My first piece of advice? Check with your doctor ALWAYS, just to rule out any other illnesses.

Okay, so don’t panic. This is not a disease, and it will have no long term effects on your bub.

It is (simply) uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. And boy do I mean uncontrollable.

If your baby is less than five months old and cries for more than three hours in a row on three or more days a week for at least three weeks – you’ve got a colicky baby.

I myself was a colicky baby (sorry mum!)

Next on the agenda: why does colic happen?

I hate to say this, but it’s is kind of a mystery. There are many theories that speculate what causes colic, but truthfully there are no solid answers.

It has been said that if a mother smokes during pregnancy, her baby is more likely to be colicky.

Another common theory is that colic is caused by an imbalance of healthy bacteria in a baby’s intestines.

Despite the theories, it’s just one of those things that happens!

Lastly, how do parents cope with colic?

Book a REALLY long holiday.

I joke, I joke.

There a number of things you can do that may soothe your colicky bub:

Gentle baby massage. 

Your baby may respond well to a gentle massage, but be wary.

Make some noise.

Babies respond well to whooshing noises that remind them of their time spent in the womb. It may well calm them.

Try some motion. 

Gentle moving and rocking may just be the key to getting your bub to sleep.

Swaddle.

Wrap your little one up in a blanket and swaddle away.

Bathe them. 

A warm bath may soothe your baby when they cry.

There you have it now! Good luck mums.