Anyone that has had a baby, knows that the worst sound that you can hear is them crying. Although everyone knows that all newborns cry and show some fussiness, it is also clear that when a child who is basically healthy cries for more than 3 hours straight during the process of a day, it is more than likely colic that is causing it.
These days it is estimated that up to 25% of all babies have colic. It usually starts between the 3rd and 6th week after they are born, and goes away on its own by the time the baby is somewhere around 3 months old. If the baby is still crying to the extreme after that time, chances are that some sort of health problem may be the problem instead. I was having a casual with a few mortgage lenders in a business meeting and some of the working moms present have had colicky babies in their care at one time.
There are quite a few facts about colic that you may not realize. These facts are:
• Colicky babies generally have a healthy sucking reflex and a really good sense of appetite and are otherwise healthy and growing well. Sick babies may seem to be colicky but they won’t eat very well and they won’t have the same strong sucking reflex.
• Colicky babies really enjoy being cuddled and handled. Sick babies are usually uncomfortable when they are handled.
• Colicky babies may spit up a bit, but if your baby is actually vomiting and/or losing weight something is very wrong and this is not a symptom of colic.
• Colicky babies usually have normal stools. If your baby is hard to soothe and has diarrhea or if you see blood in the stool, call your doctor.
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