How do I know if my 3 wk old son has colic? Today he cried like he was in terrible pain for 2 hrs!?

Question

He is on formula and has no problem with it before now. He would fall asleep but wake back up. I tried rocking him, holding him, swaddling, singing, etc... all the things that usually work, but to no avail. Finally, after him being awake 6 hrs. he fell asleep, but with me right beside him. Everytime I moved he woke up so I stayed with him. Could he have colic? Or was he just cranky after not falling asleep for so long? I am freaking out! I asked this before, but I don't think I explained enough. What do I do?

Answer 1

he may have reflux. I would google it.

Answer 2

It could be numerous things, starting off now is about the time that they start getting constipated from the iron in the formula, I used 2 ounces of apple juice mixed with 2 ounces of bottled water for that, or if he has colic I used baby simethicone drops for that, then last but not least he may not be agreeing with the formula your giving him. Your Doctor would be able to help you with this, but these are all the things he will have you try, so give your Doctor a call for an appt. and tell him whats going on and he will tell you everything I have, and then try each one out and see if it fixes the problem. Oh and the dryer does work, just not in it, on top of it!!!! A car ride does also, if it is colic.

Answer 3

I am a mother as well. My fist instinct is always to take him to a doctor, so that may be what you should do. Here is an insert


Colic
Colic is a condition marked by episodes of loud, sudden crying and fussiness, which can often last for hours. About 20% of all babies experience this unexplained pain and crying. In full-blown colic, the baby's abdomen becomes distended, and the infant passes gas often. The only way to know if your baby has colic is to visit your pediatrician or family physician. He or she can determine if it is colic or if your baby is having some other problem.

Colic usually appears gradually in an infant about 2 weeks after birth. As time passes, the condition may worsen; however, it often disappears around age 3 months but occasionally lasts until 4 months. Colic attacks usually occur in the late afternoon and early evening, and can last as long as 3 to 4 hours. Attacks cease as quickly as they begin.

Researchers have been studying the causes of colic for a long time, but we still have little understanding of why it occurs. Theories about its causes include: immaturity of the digestive system, intolerance to cow's-milk protein in formula or breast milk, and fatigue in the infant.

At this time, we cannot offer a definitive answer on how to stop the colic. Most doctors recommend using a variety of methods to try to ease the baby's discomfort. Some of these ideas are:

Offer baby the breast or a bottle of formula.
Try noncow's milk formula, if you bottlefeed.
Carry your baby in a sling during an attack. Motion and closeness often help somewhat.
Give baby a pacifier to help soothe her.
Put the baby on her stomach across your knees, and rub her back.
Wrap the baby snugly in a blanket.
Massage or stroke baby's tummy.

Answer 4

Colic? If they have it, believe me, you would know. Olds wives tale... you should put 12 rocks under the childs bed an throw a rock out every week until they are gone.....My son did it for 7 weeks and I was starting to see Susan Smiths line of thought. We tried, Gripe Water, Mylacon drops, and various others and nothing works. he would be fine during the day and scream like he was set on fire for 2-4 hours straight at night until he finally passed out from exhaustion. having him sleep with his head slightly elevated seemed to help slightly, and our second did not have it at all. Work revolving 2 hour shifts with your husband (you get up first and him the next time, and after 2 hours up, switch) and go to bed right after he falls asleep, screw watching Matlock, just enjoy the sleep. It will go away, usually about 20 minutes before you attempt to shoot yourself.

GOOD LUCK!

Alamentium formula and Dr Brown's bottles are an idea too, pricey but they really reduce the air and gas into the babies belly and the formula is already broken down as far as possible (per-digested if you will)

Answer 5

colic is not really a diagnosis. its a term people use when a baby is crying and you cant figure it out. usually there is a reason for crying. there is a book called colic solved and it explains ll this and what could be causing the crying. my baby has acid reflux and that is what most crying and hurting babies have. i think someone said to google it. you should alson you can look for the book i mentioned and it is a great booked that should really help you.

Answer 6

I always suggest that if you even THINK that it's colic for a moment, move to a soy-based formula. Save yourself a lot of sleepless nights and change to a soy-based formula.

We went through nearly 2 months of asking that same question--is he fussy or is it colic? The moment we changed to Isomel (?), it went away.

Answer 7

My daughter cried for 14 hours one day! I finally took her to the hospital (my husband was working the whole time). They told me to go home and put her on the dryer! I told them I would rather put her IN the dryer! Honestly, soy formula is a good first step. Check with your Pediatrician for his recommendation on brands. If your current formula has iron, it may be too much for your baby to digest. I put my other children on soy right away, I wasn't going through that again! Good luck, it does get better!

Answer 8

If it's due to gas, you can tell by gently tapping with one finger on his belly nearby the navel and below. If it sounds hollow, or like a bongo drum, it's gas.

Sometimes moving the infant around into different positions; sitting up, lying down on different sides, etc., can help move the pockets around so they can exit.

I agree with the other(s) that the formula might need to be changed.

Answer 9

Well, I was reading in my manual that was sent home with me from the hospital after I had my twins three months ago and it says that if your baby is going to develop "colic" then they will usually develop it by the third week of life......

Answer 10

My son got colicky at 3wks. That is what it sounds like in your case, its heartbreaking :(
I switched my son to Nestle Good Start Supreme and that worked wonders for him along with the Mylicon. I would put him in between my legs sort of like hanging and my thigh would be putting pressure on his tummy and he would begin to burp and release gas this way. Eventually he would fall asleep. We would also lay him down and fold his legs up to where his knees touched his litlle tummy, that helped too.

Good Luck!

Oh, I also took him to see his Ped. just to make sure that it was colic, and it was.

Congrats!