If your baby cries for hours at a time and seems to be completely inconsolable, you will probably have plenty of people tell you that it’s nothing to worry about: your baby just has colic. And chances are, they’re right. The overwhelming majority of the time, when a baby cries for no apparent reason for long periods, especially if the crying has a predictable pattern (such as starting around the same time every night), colic is almost always the diagnosis.

Almost always, but not always. There are other things which can make your baby cry for long periods of time, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. It won’t hurt your baby in the least to spend some time having a doctor rule out other possibilities, but what if you assume your baby “just has colic” and it turns out to be something more serious?

There are several things which are often mistaken for colic. Among them are neurological disorders, seizures, and infant diabetes. Obviously, each of these is serious enough that you will want to have a doctor rule them out as a possibility.

You should especially look for the following symptoms while your baby is fussy. If he displays any of these symptoms, get him in to see a doctor right away:

• Jack Knifing. If baby is bending violently or suddenly at the middle, it could be signs of seizure or other neurological distress.
• Turning blue. This could be because of several conditions, including seizures.
• Rolling his eyes into the back of his head. This is also a sign of neurological issues.
• Leg Cramps. Leg cramps are often a sign of diabetes in infants.

Make sure that you take note of anything that you think might be unusual in your baby’s behavior. Consider making a recording of your baby so the doctor can see what it is you’re concerned about. Babies with colic or more serious conditions which cause them to cry for hours at a time seem to happy up at the doctor’s office, making it difficult to show the doctor what’s wrong.

Above all, trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone, and if you think something is wrong, take your baby in to be seen. It’s always better to be safe than to take your chances with your baby’s health.

This entry was posted in Colic.