Every newborn baby cries. In fact, crying is an important means of communication for a baby. A baby is unable to tell you “I’m hungry” or “I’m cold” so crying lets you know that it is time to do some detective work, to determine what exactly it is that the baby needs. A baby will cry, on the average, between one and three hours every day. However, there are some babies who may cry more than three hours a day. If a baby cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, this is referred to as colic. It is estimated that roughly 1 in 5 babies will experience colic. Colic generally starts at between 2 and 4 weeks of age, and can continue for three months or longer.

Colic occurs when a baby cries uncontrollably for an extended period of time, even when the baby is comfortable, healthy, and well fed. Research has not proven yet, definitively, what causes colic. There was a time when colic was attributed to problems with digestion, but there is little evidence so far that this is actually the case. One theory of colic suggests that it is caused by a baby with a highly sensitive temperament having an immature nervous system.

Colic tends to be worse in the evenings, although crying from colic can and often does occur at any time of the day. Colic can create a good amount of stress and anxiety in the home. Other siblings and even parents can, eventually, be stressed out by the constant sound of the baby with colic. It is important for all of the family members to have a break, at some point or another.

If your baby is crying in an extended and regular fashion, it may be worth visiting your health care provider to make sure that there is not some other problem. There are no medical treatments for colic, but it could be that there is actually something else causing your baby this distress.

Related Posts: