| Sleepless nights, relentless bawling, and dirty | | | | General Symptoms |
| diapers - all parents know the joys and tribulation | | | | Now you are probably wondering, 'how do I know |
| new baby can bring into a family. Yet is can often | | | | if my child has colic?' There are a couple of key |
| come as a shock - especially to first-time parents | | | | symptoms that can help you distinguish the |
| - when the crying does not stop for hours, days, | | | | disorder: The infant cries for long periods of |
| or even weeks on end. You begin to worry: does | | | | time (up to three hours sessions) without being |
| my child have colic? | | | | comforted by anything. This process repeats itself |
| What is colic? | | | | for days or weeks. Some infants release a lot |
| Colic is defined as the incessant or uncontrollable | | | | of gas, which can be very painful The child is |
| crying of an otherwise healthy infant. It often | | | | restless or visibly uncomfortable The baby pulls |
| starts between two to four weeks after birth, | | | | their thighs up to their abdomen and clenches |
| during which the baby has several bouts of crying | | | | their fists |
| during the day, usually in the mornings and in the | | | | Treatment & Prevention |
| evening, which can last for almost three hours. | | | | There are several small tips that you can carry |
| This colic stage often goes away after the fourth | | | | out to make your child feel better. Osteopaths |
| month, and only is very rare cases does it persist | | | | recommend that you: Strap the baby to the |
| after the fifth month. Approximately 40% of | | | | front of your body in a sling. Your body's |
| infants suffer from mild colic, whereas 10-15% | | | | movement, heartbeat, and heat should make |
| are predicted to suffer from severe colic. But do | | | | your child feel more relaxed. Give your baby's |
| not worry: all colic cases, whether mild or severe, | | | | belly a gentle massage, using slow circular |
| are only temporary. | | | | movements |
| Causes | | | | If the problem continues to exist, you are advised |
| Although professionals are not certain as to the | | | | to visit an osteopathic clinic. Here your precious |
| exact causes of colic, some evidence suggests | | | | baby can be examined more closely for any |
| that the disorder is related to digestive problems. | | | | tensions in body, and can be given the extra |
| Some professionals claim that colic is caused as a | | | | attention it needs. |
| result of the baby's intestines working too hard, | | | | Seeing your child suffer is agonizing for any |
| resulting in painful cramps. Other doctors argue | | | | parent, especially when you do not know how |
| that the disorder is based on slow bowel moves | | | | to help them. However, with today's effective |
| which result in gas being trapped in the intestines, | | | | osteopathic techniques, and with the knowledge |
| which can be very painful and leads to | | | | that colic is only a fleeting stage in a child's |
| inflammation. Many osteopaths and other medical | | | | development, both you and your baby can finally |
| professionals still dispute the causes of colic, but | | | | get the full night's rest that you desire and |
| where research has been conducted, it has | | | | deserve. |
| emerged that there is no known definitive source. | | | | |