Colic is common in infants, and is characterized by frequent periods of inconsolable crying that may last for hours. Colic usually appears within the first few weeks of a baby's life, and may last until the baby is three or four months of age. It is believed that colic is caused by abdominal pain. There are many different methods that may help to treat colic, though it is notoriously difficult to treat.
One of the ways to treat colic is to alter the baby's diet. For a breastfed child, the mother may need to alter what she eats that may be causing gassiness in the baby, or upsetting his or her stomach. Some breastfeeding mothers find that cutting out spicy foods is helpful in treating colic, though others may need to experiment to find out if a certain food is causing the trouble.
For a baby that is formula-fed, it may be necessary to switch to different types of formula to treat colic. A child may be lactose-intolerant and need a soy-based formula, or a certain brand may just not agree. If none of this seems to make a difference, try a different type of nipple on the bottle; if the hole is too small, the child may be swallowing too much air while eating, which causes pain. Curved bottles or bottles with collapsible liners can also cut down on the amount of air the baby is taking in when feeding from a bottle.
Some people find that feeding the baby while sitting him or her up is a good way to treat colic, and it is important to always remember to burp the baby after feedings. Feeding the baby smaller meals with greater frequency may help as well. Another option is to swaddle the baby, or to put him or her in a vibrating bouncy seat, or take the baby on a car ride; some babies find these motions to be very soothing. A pacifier may also help.
A doctor may also be able to prescribe medications to treat colic. These medications are generally intended to help with digestion, which may prevent abdominal pain from occurring. Though colic is difficult for any parent and child to deal with, it will most likely resolve on its own, and will not prevent the child from gaining weight and thriving. Of course, it is important to take the child for regular check-ups with a physician to be sure he or she is healthy and doing well.