Colic can be very frustrating  for parents. Babies with colic often cry more than three hours a day, three days a week for three weeks or longer.It is common for babies to fuss regularly. This crankiness can be torturous especially if you have other kids and work to do. The good news is they do not last very long. The length of fussiness usually last 3 hours a day by week 6 and then reduces to 1 or 2 hours a  day by 3 to 4 months. There is no reason to be alarmed as long as the baby calms down within a few hours and is relatively peaceful the rest of the day.

If the baby’s  crying doesn’t stop but intensifies throughout  the day or night, it may be caused by colic. About 1/5th of all babies develop colic usually between week 2 and 4. Babies cry inconsolably usually screaming , extending or pulling up their legs and passing gas. Their stomachs may enlarge and distend with gas.

The crying may occur around the clock and usually gets worse in the evening.

Colic relief tips

These colic relief tips may help

• the first thing you have to do is to  consult your pediatrician to make sure that there is nothing wrong with the child.
• if you are breastfeeding, you can try to eliminate milk products , caffeine , cabbage , onions and other irritating foods from your diet
• if your baby is on formula and food sensitivity is causing the discomfort,ask your doctor about protein hydrolysate formula. Colic should decrease within a few days
• walk your baby in a carrier to soothe her.
• do not overfeed your baby. This can make the baby uncomfortable . Try to wait about two to two and half hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next feeding
• give the baby a pacifier. Some babies especially breastfed babies usually refuse the pacifier but it may help others
• put the baby tummy down across your knees and rub her back. The pressure across her belly can help comfort her.
• steady rhythmic motion can help your baby sleep. You can rock her  or place her where she can hear  a fan or white noise , a dryer  or the vacuum
• swaddle the baby in a large , thin blanket so that she feels warm and secure

When you are anxious, get help from a family member or friend and get out of the house for a couple of hours. You have to know that no matter how angry you are, you should never shake your baby. It can result in shaken baby syndrome which can cause blindness, brain damage or even death.