Colic, fussiness or something else? When baby won't stop crying - FOX 21/27 WFXR Roanoke/WWCW Lynchburg News, Weather

By Diane Griffith, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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Like many new moms, you may be at a total loss when your baby just won't stop crying. To make matters worse, he can sense your stress, which is likely to make him cry even harder. So what should you do?

Fussiness

Your baby may become especially fussy at 2 or 3 weeks of age. This seems to peak at around 6 weeks, then gradually tapers off. Talk to your baby's doctor to see if there is a medical cause for the crying. If there is not, then this fussiness is likely just a normal stage of your baby's development.

Your baby may have a fussy period every day, which often occurs in the late afternoon and early evening. It can last several hours. Try swaddling your baby or carrying her with you.

Colic

The cries of colicky babies tend to be more intense than regular fussiness and may sound like screaming. Your baby may draw his legs up in what appears to be pain. Check with your doctor to be sure that there is not another reason for the crying.

No one is sure what causes colic. Colic often starts when a baby is 2 to 6 weeks old, and normally goes away by the age of 4 to 6 months.

These tips may help a baby with colic:

• Lay him on his tummy across your lap and rub or pat his back.
• If your baby is hungry shortly after a feeding, try feeding him more often, but in smaller amounts.
• If your baby drinks formula, ask your doctor if you should switch to another type. Warming up the bottle to room temperature might also help.
• If your baby finishes a bottle in less than 20 minutes, try using a nipple with a smaller hole.

Other reasons for crying

Babies generally cry when they are:

• Tired
• Hungry
• Wet or in a soiled diaper
• Uncomfortable
• Bored
• Sick
• In pain
• Overstimulated

How can I comfort my baby?

The best way to handle crying is to respond quickly. You cannot spoil a baby by giving her attention. One study showed that babies who are held or carried - even when happy or sleeping - cry less.

If feeding and changing your baby doesn't help and her crying sounds panicky, check to see if she has a diaper pin that is open or if something is rubbing against her skin. If she's dry and well fed, but still crying, try these tips:

• Rock her.
• Pat her back or chest or gently stroke her head.
• Walk with her in your arms or in a stroller.
• Sing to her.
• Take her for a car ride.
• Swaddle her snugly in a blanket.
• Provide some rhythmic noise (example: a fan, a vacuum or soft music).
• Burp her to relieve any trapped gas bubbles.
• Check to see if she is too hot or too cold.
• If she is scared or startled, hold her close to help her feel safe.
• Give her a warm bath.

Calm yourself

Staying calm will help calm your baby. Getting upset may only make him cry harder. If you feel you can't handle the crying, give yourself a break. Try one of these suggestions:

• Place baby on his back in the crib and leave the room. Give him time to cry himself to sleep. If he is still crying after 10 or 15 minutes, go back and make sure he's all right.
• Ask a friend or family member to take over so you can take a walk or a relaxing bath.
• Don't shake your baby or handle him roughly. This can cause blindness, brain damage or even death. If you feel like you're losing control, call the National Child Abuse Hotline right away at 800-4ACHILD.

When to call the doctor

If no matter what you do, your baby continues to cry, she may be sick.

Call the doctor if your baby:

• Has a cry that has changed from fussy to painful.
• Has crying that persists or gets worse.
• Appears ill.
• Isn't gaining weight.
• Has a fever. (If the baby is 12 months or under and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, take the child to the emergency room. Also seek immediate emergency care for an older child with a temperature of 105 degrees F or higher.)
• Has a diaper rash that doesn't improve with over-the-counter products.

View the original Colic, fussiness or something else? When baby won't stop crying article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

• Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Normal newborn fussing. Accessed: 02/11/2010

• American Academy of Family Physicians. Colic: what you should know. Accessed: 02/10/2010

• Prevent Child Abuse. Coping with a crying baby. Accessed: 02/10/2010

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Calming a fussy baby. Accessed: 02/11/2010

• Penn State Children's Hospital. Coping skills with a crying baby. Accessed: 02/10/2010

• Child Welfare Information Gateway. Soothing a crying infant. Accessed: 02/10/2010