What are the symptoms and signs of colic?
Often an irritable or fractious and continually crying baby is incorrectly labelled as “colicky”. The characteristics of colic are: occurs in paroxysmal episodes; a quantitative change in the pitch and intensity of the usual cry; increased muscle tone and movement such as pulling the legs against the abdomen and the baby is almost, if not totally, inconsolable. Often there is apparent relief when the baby passes wind or stool. Vomiting is not a feature and normal stools are passed. These episodes can occur during any activity in which the baby may be involved. There may be a build-up to the colic period or it may suddenly occur. One of the frequent comments made is how “angelic” the baby is during the visit to the doctor. This in itself should be reassuring. These episodes may last an hour or two and can cause great stress to the mother.
