By Chioma Obinna

Does she cry this much?
Since she was born she has been like this.   We have tried all kinds of things.   Many people have advised me to use some drugs. Some say it is the tummy.   Others say it is the navel and yet more recommend drugs and concoctions like bitter kola water.

Have you tried Gripe Water? Yes, severally. I have used Buscopan, Pican, ‘gbomoro’ teething powder, salt water, name it.   The situation has remained the same.

Another older occupant chips in. How old is she?   Mummy Bola responded: She is three weeks old.   The elderly woman advises – No, you do not need all that to make her stop.   All that you mentioned are unnecessary. Rather, they could cause more harm.

Experts say such babies that engage in inconsolable crying within the first three months suffer from colic. Colic can affect up to three out of 10 babies. A healthy newborn baby may have periods of crying. For no apparent reason he or she cries as if in pain. The usual methods of comforting do not work very well. Baby does not want

to feed, and may pull up the knees. Sometimes the abdomen (tummy) appears to rumble. The cry may sound different and more piercing than normal. He or she may appear to be settling when suddenly another bout of crying occurs. This may go on and off for several hours until he or she settles and falls asleep.

Infantile colic can be distressing to parents when the baby is inconsolable during crying episodes. Colic is often defined by the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks in an infant who is well-fed and otherwise healthy. The cause remains unclear.

Parents are advised against administering different kinds of drugs. The usual management through use of paracetamol, ‘gbomoro’, teething powder, salt water, buscopan, gripe water etc is often unnecessary and harmful.

Rather, perform complete physical examination. It is important to evaluate if the infant is correctly fed or gaining weight. Examine if there are signs and symptoms such as eczema or diarrhea.

Colic babies are usually healthy and there is no need administering drugs as many parents do. Medical assessment should rather be directed at causes of “burping, need to eat, difficulty with passing stools, arching the back, flushing, abdominal distension and leg contracture.

Some babies with colic may be intolerant to lactose which is a sugar found in milk. Changing from ordinary baby formula to baby formula milk that is free from, or low in, lactose is an option. Once things settle down you should try the baby with ordinary formula milk again, as lactose may play a part in keeping the bowel healthy in the long term.

It is natural to try to soothe a crying baby. Holding a baby through the crying episode may help to soothe. However, a colicky baby may simply not be comforted or soothed. At such times it is acceptable to leave a baby to cry for short periods if you are satisfied that he or she is not hungry, too cold, too hot, wet, or unwell.

Remember – never shake a baby. If you need a break from the crying, or if you feel at the end of your tether, gently place the baby in his or her cot and leave the room for around 10 minutes. You could then do something which will help you – perhaps have a cup of tea, a snack or phone a friend.