Colic: 3 Stages and 3 Causes

When most people think of colic, they picture a screaming baby. In actual fact, colic is often a build up of symptoms that ultimately results in a frazzled and exhausted baby. Depending on what stage your baby is currently at, there may be no crying at all! Before considering the causes, let's briefly consider the progression of colic from early and mild symptoms.

In the early stage, the infant may be suffering a few cramps, they may appear restless and may moan and groan frequently. If not resolved within a few days, the symptoms worsen. The moaning and groaning become more intense and can continue even when they are asleep, cramps are more severe, the hands are frequently in little fists and the baby may suffer crying spells that can last up to an hour. This is the intermediate stage.

As this continues unresolved, the baby loses sleep and becomes more and more tired and irritable. The nervous system becomes hyper-irritable and the crying can last for several hours at a time and can continue for weeks and even months.

The sooner the parent takes effective steps to help, the greater the likelihood of breaking the cycle. This may include medication to treat the symptoms but if the underlying cause is identified and treated, the cure is far quicker and more certain. So let us gain a better understanding of the type of colic which is affecting your child.

Imagine how gas might get trapped in a babies digestive tract. The first stop for milk and gas that might be 'gulped' is the stomach and so this is one of the three main causes of colic - stomach gas. It is best treated through static and dynamic burping techniques - techniques that will allow gas to be released through the mouth.

The next and most common cause of colic symptoms is a pocket of gas that is 'trapped' in the baby's intestinal tract. This causes cramping, bloating and discomfort. Ultimately, the pain results in crying. This type is best treated through techniques that help to unlock pockets of gas and promote the movement of gas through the intestines.

The third type of colic has nothing to do with gas yet the symptoms are very similar - an uncomfortable, crampy and crying baby. This type of colic has more to do with spasms in the musculature of the spine and pelvis primarily, as well as kinks in the spine. This type may best be treated by a chiropractor who specializes in babies although there are a range of gentle stretches that a parent can easily learn and which often eases the symptoms dramatically.

You can find out more about the types and stages plus how to treat you baby by visiting our website and watching diagnostic clips, do's and don't as well as a complete program of techniques and exercises which can easily and quickly be learned and applied by the dedicated parent.