In the USA it is sometimes described as a baby being 'fussy'. One perplexed and stressed couple explained their newborn to be 'a fussy baby, balling up, same time every day'. What they were experiencing was probably entirely unanticipated and a shock to them both.
In the UK the British call it '3 month colic' and they can be lucky if it finishes after only 3 months because for some unfortunate babies it might last another month or even more. The worst case I heard of lasted for 6 months, but a few months is more normal.
The Chinese call it 'The 100-day scream', which is much more illustrative although not entirely accurate. Other countries will without a doubt have their own descriptions because baby colic does appear to change a percent of babies, wherever in the world they've been born.
Learn to recognize infant colic. The Circumstance
It occurs at about the same time every day, can be in the afternoons but typically in the evening or night, for 3 or 4 hours. The crying goes on until the poor child can cry no more, with small knees drawn up, red-faced, fist clenched and in so much pain. Eventually the weeping turns to sobs and small whines of despair, before the next outburst of howling. The baby takes more milk, desperately seeking comfort, but the additional milk, offered too frequently, adds to the distress. There usually seems to be an oversupply of gasoline. Being held erect seems to help the baby a little but doesn't solve the problem or quit the weeping.
The distressed mom.
A mother in this situation can soon find herself at her wit's ending to know what to do to help her anguish baby, which explains why she resorts to offering more milk (Perhaps it's hunger? Perhaps rest will come next?) She walks the floor for hours nightly, expecting to somehow alleviate infant gas pain and maybe even lull the child to sleep. No chance. She attempts laying the infant down. Immediate cries of protest at this abandonment!
No real help from gripe water, or any of the 'over the counter' remedies.
During these terrible colic intervals, gripe water is frequently provided in a vain hope that it's going to help this time. It does not help. No surprise, just dismay. I have read that Infacol does not help either, I might be wrong there...my daughter assures me I am not though! Some people claim that a product worked for their colicky baby, but this might be because the infant was at the end-of their colic months anyway.
The scenario repeated - over and over
These weeping spells, lasting for hours, occur every day or night for months. If it's been happening through the night parents are actually suffering from sleep deprivation along with worry and despair. If all that is familiar to you, then either you've been there or you ARE there right now.
Several articles about infant colic look to focus on helping the new parents to get through this very 'trying time' with a number of lame suggestions. How about the small new-born, the person who's suffering all the pain? These posts give the stressed parents no hope of a genuine treatment for their baby's colic and it's also a cure they desperately need Discover More!
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