Experiencing colic occurs when a happy baby cries consistently for more than 3 hours a day for at least 3 days in a week. The crying tends to increase around the time when newborns are 2 weeks old and can continue until they reach around 6 weeks of age.
- Colic can begin when babies are between 2 to 3 weeks old and may last up to 3 or 4 months.
- The crying episodes are often more frequent during the evening hours.
- In cases of colic, the typical methods of calming the baby may not work effectively.
- Colic affects approximately 1 in 4 babies and can create a sense of stress within the family.
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Possible Causes
The cause behind colic remains unknown, but some potential factors that may contribute include:
- Gas pain
- Stomach spasms
- Exposure to smoke
- Underdeveloped nervous or digestive system
Signs and Symptoms
Colic is primarily identified by the excessive crying of the baby. During these crying episodes, you may notice that your baby:
- Moves their arms and legs vigorously
- Keeps their fists clenched
- Arch their back
- Appear to struggle and display signs of anger when held
- Pull their legs towards their belly
Ways to Help
As of now, there isn’t a specific treatment for colic. However, there are actions you can take such as:
- Avoiding smoking near the baby
- Not feeding the baby every time they cry
- Burping the baby frequently during feeding
- Trying different holding positions
- Playing soothing, consistent sounds
- Taking them for a stroll in a stroller or car
- Offering a pacifier
When to Call the Doctor
If your baby displays any of these symptoms, contact their doctor:
- Fever
- Hard stool
- Diarrhea
- Poor weight gain
Preventing Abusive Head Trauma
Remember to place your baby in a secure place and take a break if you start feeling overwhelmed. Never shake your baby as it can cause severe brain damage.
- Place your baby on their back in a crib or swing
- Check on your baby every 5 to 10 minutes
- Have someone you trust stay with your baby
- Try to rest when your baby is napping
If you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
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Experiencing colic involves excessive crying in infants during their initial few months of life. Its duration typically lasts until the baby is around 3 months old, making it a challenging period for both baby and parents.
Does your baby have colic?
Colic is defined by continuous crying for more than three hours per day for at least three days in a week, often accompanied by signs of gas discomfort.
It usually starts when babies are roughly 3 weeks old and can persist until they are 3 to 6 months old.
How can you soothe a baby with colic?
Assess your baby for common reasons for crying and use various techniques to soothe them until they calm down.
Consider comforting methods like cuddling, swaddling, and gentle rocking.
Take care of yourself, too
If you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and calm yourself before returning to your baby. Seek help from loved ones to allow yourself time to relax.
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Professionals
Colic, characterized by excessive crying in a baby’s early months, typically resolves by the time the baby reaches 3 months of age.
Does your baby have colic?
Babies may cry, fuss, and experience colic episodes when their crying extends beyond three hours daily. Colic often commences around 3 weeks old and peaks during the evening hours. As parents, you can rule out hunger, temperature changes, or diaper needs. If the baby is well-fed, growing, and not showing signs of vomiting or reflux, it may be colic. Calming a colicky baby involves holding, swaddling, and soothing methods, such as gentle rubbing or rhythmic noises.
Dealing with a crying baby can be stressful, prompting the need to stay calm. Deep breathing and taking breaks can aid in managing stress. Seeking support from friends or family members is crucial for self-care. Colic might be related to the maternal diet, medication use, or the baby’s adjustment to life outside the womb. Medications for colic may have limited efficacy and should be used under medical supervision.
Diet modifications may be helpful if the baby has lactose intolerance or cow’s milk allergies. Consulting a doctor before making changes is essential to meet the nutritional needs of both mother and baby. Doctors can evaluate babies for underlying health issues causing discomfort. Providing comfort through holding, soothing, and responding promptly to your crying baby can bring relief. Additional calming techniques include swaddling, using a pacifier, patting, and gentle massaging. Establishing contact and comfort through baby wraps or stroller walks can also help soothe a crying baby.
When trying to comfort your baby, placing them in a rocking chair can aid. If your baby continues crying, step back and relax to calm yourself. Recommendations include:
- Put your baby in a safe space such as a crib and leave the room
- Take a walk or step outside
- Relax your body by releasing tension in your shoulders, fists, and stretching
- Have a non-alcoholic drink or eat if possible
- Engage in physical activities like running
In the case of a colicky baby, developing coping strategies is crucial, such as:
Abstract
Background
Colic-induced pain leads to stress and anxiety in parents, particularly mothers, with no specific treatment available. Mothers strive to alleviate their infants’ pain.
An investigation was conducted on how mothers care for their colicky infants.
Methods
The study involved 150 mothers of colicky babies in Kerman, Iran. Interviews were held with 18 mothers to analyze their approaches to dealing with colic pain.
Results
Common methods used by mothers to relieve colic pain included herbal remedies and changing positions. The overarching theme identified was “mothers’ support needs for care.”
Conclusion
Mothers require assistance in managing their babies’ colic. Educational and psychological support can enhance the quality of maternal caregiving.
Keywords: Infantile Colic, Mothers, Child Care, Infants, mixed-method study
Introduction
Infantile colic, described as persistent crying in healthy infants, affects approximately 20% of babies in Iran. The exact causes of colic pain remain unknown, leading to various treatments with limited efficacy.
Mothers of colicky babies often face caregiving challenges due to stress and lack of support. Breastfeeding can have a soothing effect on infants, improving their response to pain.
Methods
A study conducted in Kerman, Iran, assessed how mothers manage colic pain in their infants. The research included quantitative and qualitative phases to understand mothers’ experiences in caring for colicky babies.
Samples: The study involved 150 mothers with full-term infants aged 1-6 months. A questionnaire was used to gauge pain management methods.
Data collection: A questionnaire was created and validated for data collection from mothers of colicky infants.
Study design in the qualitative phase: Conventional content analysis was utilized to understand the experiences of mothers caring for infants with colic pain.
Table 1.
Demographic characteristics of mothers of infants with colic pain
| ID of participant | age | level of education | job type | number of children | financial status |
| 1 | 28 | diploma | Housewife | 1 | excellent |
| 2 | 27 | Master’s degree | Homemaker | 2 | moderate |
| 3 | 33 | unable to read or write | Homemaker | 1 | excellent |
| 4 | 22 | Master’s degree | currently working | 1 | excellent |
| 5 | 23 | Elementary schooling | Homemaker | 1 | average |
| 6 | 20 | Master’s degree | in job | 2 | |
| 7 | 22 | diploma | tailor | 3 | father |
| 8 | 21 | Master’s degree | working | 1 | reasonable |
| 9 | 25 | certification | Stylist | 2 | average |
| 11 | 34 | certificate | seamstress | 3 | reasonable |
| 17 | 20 | diploma | employed | 1 | good |
At the age of 17, I successfully completed my diploma and became employed immediately afterwards. This marked the beginning of my career journey, and I started on a positive note with a good job offer.
Data Gathering Process
The primary goal of the study was to observe a range of individuals from different age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, and levels of colic pain severity. Sampling continued until a point of information saturation was reached. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. These interviews were led by a proficient female nurse with a Ph.D. in Nursing who had undergone training in effective interviewing techniques.
At the outset, the nurse provided an overview of her role, the research objectives, and the interview process to the participants. Prior to commencing the interviews, informed consent was obtained.
The location for the interviews, typically the participants’ homes, was mutually agreed upon. Questions such as “how does your child’s colic affect your everyday life?” and “what strategies do you employ to manage infantile colic?” were used as conversation starters. Furthermore, probing questions were utilized to gain deeper insights into the participants’ perspectives. The interviews lasted between 30 to 90 minutes, were audio-recorded with consent, and salient points were documented.
Interview Guide Questions
| Questions |
| How do you cope with the challenges of taking care of your baby? |
| What difficulties do you face when looking after your newborn? |
| How do you go about solving these issues? |
| What strategies do you use to handle infantile colic? |
| What emotions do you experience in these situations? |
Analysis of Data: To analyze the data, we followed the conventional content analysis method developed by Graneheim and Lundman (17). After transcribing and listening to the recorded interviews multiple times, we used MAXQDA software version 10 to identify and extract key concepts through a methodical process. The final findings were then reviewed with the participants to ensure accuracy and receive feedback.
Rigorous Study Approach: The credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability of our findings were evaluated based on the criteria established by Guba and Lincoln. To ensure the reliability of the data, we built strong relationships with the participants, promoted collaboration, considered input from colleagues, and consistently compared our results. Dependability was affirmed through expert and participant reviews, as well as external observations. Personal biases were avoided to maintain confirmability, and detailed explanations of the data were provided to enhance transferability.
Ethical Considerations: Prior to conducting the study, ethical standards were upheld. All participants provided informed consent, and confidentiality was guaranteed throughout the research process. Approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (IR.KMU.REC.1396.1466.) with the grant number 95000612.
Results
Results of the Quantitative Phase: The average age of the mothers was 25.4 years with a standard deviation of 2.9 years. The majority of the mothers did not have a university degree (68%) and were primarily housewives (59%). Herbal medicines (mean = 3.55, SD = 0.51) and changing the baby’s position (mean = 3.35, SD = 0.67) were commonly used for colic relief. In contrast, probiotics (mean = 1.4, SD = 0.2) and acupuncture (mean = 0) were less frequently utilized. Significant variations were observed in the use of herbal medicines based on living in a village or extended family settings, with younger mothers tending to use more medications (p < 0.05).
Table 2.
Mean and standard deviation of herbal medicine use among mothers of infants with colic pain based on demographic characteristics
| Factors | Herbal Remedies | Statistical Analysis | Significance Level |
| Age Group | |||
| The range of values is between 20 and 25 | The average result is approximately 2.22 with a deviation of 0.1 | The calculated factor is 2.19 | The probability value is denoted as P |
| 26–31 | 2.45 ± 0.45 |
The range of values for this data set is between 26 and 31, with a mean of 2.45 and a standard deviation of 0.45.
Findings from the qualitative analysis: A predominant theme emerged regarding the support requirements of mothers in caregiving roles. Subthemes included a sense of distrust towards healthcare providers, the challenges of providing round-the-clock care, feelings of inadequacy, enduring anxiety, managing caregiving responsibilities without assistance, and actively seeking methods to alleviate pain.
Table 4.
Insights gathered from interviews conducted as part of the research
| Key Topics | Subjects | Subcategories |
Mothers expressed a need for various forms of support in caring for their babies, including educational, psychological, and spiritual assistance. They struggled with the challenges of infantile colic, feeling uncertain about how to provide proper care. Issues such as mistrust of doctors, the constant demand for care, feelings of inadequacy, ongoing anxiety, lack of support, and methods for managing pain were common.
Mothers lacked trust in doctors and felt uneasy about changing medications. The relentless responsibilities of full-time care left them with little time for personal tasks. They often felt inadequate in handling colic episodes and experienced persistent anxiety, receiving limited support from their partners.
In their efforts to relieve their babies’ pain, mothers explored alternative remedies like herbal medicines. They grappled with feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty about the efficacy of different treatment options.
Discussion
During the qualitative phase, we explored the experiences of mothers caring for infants with colic pain. The theme of mothers’ support needs in caring for their babies emerged prominently, encompassing a range of challenges and strategies for effectively managing the pain.
Parents, particularly mothers, were unprepared for dealing with colic in babies, leading to increased anxiety and stress. They required informational, psychological, and spiritual support for infant care. Providing accurate information to mothers can reduce uncertainty and help them navigate difficult situations. Educating parents on soothing methods prior to addressing colic pain can boost their confidence and caregiving abilities. A lack of information on care can hinder effective infant care.
Mothers, as primary caregivers, may encounter challenges during the infancy stage. The mental well-being of mothers impacts the quality of care provided. Mothers experiencing stress may exacerbate infantile colic. Cultural responsibilities in Iran contribute to care omissions, affecting both care quality and quality of life. Mothers often felt incompetent due to a lack of understanding of colic pain.
Mothers sought ways to alleviate their babies’ pain, with some turning to herbal medicines. Various factors play a role in the severity of colic pain. Traditional remedies were not widely embraced by mothers. Nurses play a crucial role in educating parents about non-pharmacological methods for infant care. Prolonged colic pain can lead to complications.
Nurses can assist families in managing infantile colic and improving the quality of care through educational support. This study received funding from Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Various research studies on infantile colic are available for further reference.
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