What is colic? How can I prevent or manage it?
When your baby cries without apparent reason for several hours on a regular basis, he may have colic. Colic occurs in almost 10 percent of babies. No one knows what causes colic – it is not caused by poor parenting. Colic usually develops between 2 and 6 weeks of age and disappears by 3 or 4 months. There is no cure for colic. Here are some tips to help manage colic as you wait for your baby to outgrow it: • If you are breastfeeding, try avoiding some foods such as cow’s milk, wheat, peanuts, eggs and seafood. • Cuddle and rock your baby during crying bouts. • Swaddle your baby or apply firm but gentle pressure to the stomach. • Darken the room or play soft music. • Get help so you can take time off from caring for your baby.
