Page 51 - What to Expect

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Colic

Occasionally you may find your baby is rather fussy. Fussiness generally
peaks at three to four months of their adjusted age (the age they would be
if they were born on time). This can mean that your baby may have colic.

Colic is most common in the late afternoon until as late as 1 am.
Signs of colic include:

Grizzling
Clenched fists
Legs being drawn up into the stomach

The need for frequent sucking.
There is no cure for colic and there is no real reason why some babies are
colicky and others are not. If you are breast-feeding your baby a possible
answer may be in the food that you are eating. Some foods may affect your
milk, and in turn, your baby. Some babies don’t mind all the interesting
foods that mum eats and may never have a problem with colic. Use your
own detective work if you think your baby doesn’t like some of the food
you eat.
Bottle-fed babies can get colic too. There are many potions and remedies
available. Before a feed, of either bottle or breast, the recommended dose
of an anti-colic formula can help. Ask your GP or homecare team nurse first.
Some people carry their baby in an odd way and find that this can calm the
baby and relieve the symptoms of colic. Carry your baby draped over your
arm, with his head in the crook of your elbow and one leg on either side
of your arm, tummy resting on your arm. Dancing gently and rocking your
baby can help too, as can giving baby a warm bath, taking baby for a drive
in the car, and rocking baby in the pram.

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