Baby with stomach ache (colic)

Infant colic is a condition in which an otherwise healthy and well-nourished baby has long periods of inconsolable crying, often at night, without a clear medical explanation. The condition typically begins in the 2nd-4th week of life, peaks around 6 weeks of age, and has resolved in the vast majority of babies by 3-4 months of age. Infant colic is not dangerous and usually does not require treatment.

What exactly is infant colic?

Infant colic is used to describe frequent, prolonged periods of crying in an otherwise healthy, thriving, and weight-gaining infant. The classic definition (Wessel's criteria) describes colic as crying for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks.

It is important to know that colic is not a disease in itself, but a description of a symptom pattern. The cause is not fully understood, and there is no treatment that has been proven effective against colic itself. However, this does not mean that you as a parent cannot do anything to comfort and soothe your child, or that you should not have your child examined.

How many babies get colic?

The frequency of infant colic varies depending on the definition used and where in the world the studies were conducted. In general, it is estimated that around 10-20% of all newborns in Denmark develop colic according to the classic Wessel criteria, while other estimates indicate a wider range of 8-40% if one includes the parents' own experience of the child having colic.

It is worth noting that when parents themselves believe their child has colic, only about a third actually meet the strict criteria for colic. Many babies who cry a lot at night are therefore on a broader spectrum of perfectly normal infant crying.

What are the symptoms of a baby with a stomach ache (colic)?

The symptoms of infant colic typically manifest as:

• Long periods of intense, inconsolable crying – often in the late afternoon or evening
• The child pulls his legs up towards his stomach, tenses his body or curls up.
• Red face and a tense, hard stomach
• The baby may be difficult to comfort, even through breastfeeding, carrying, or other normal comforting methods

An important characteristic is that outside of these crying spells the child is usually calm, eats and sleeps normally and gains weight normally. It is precisely the combination of periods of intense crying and an otherwise thriving child that distinguishes infant colic from conditions where the child is generally unwell or not thriving.

When does colic start and when does it end?

Infant colic typically begins between the 2nd and 4th week of life. Symptoms often peak around 6 weeks of age, when most babies – whether they have colic or not – cry the most. After that, the crying spells gradually subside: in about 60% of babies, the main symptoms have disappeared by 3 months of age, and in 80-90% they have disappeared by 4 months of age. In almost all babies, colic has stopped by the time they are about 5 months old.

It is this natural decline that has given rise to the term "three-month colic" – although for some babies it may take a little longer.

What causes a baby to have a stomach ache at night?

The exact cause of infant colic is not known, and there is probably no single explanation that applies to all babies. Several factors are discussed as possible contributing factors, including the baby's digestive system still being immature, the baby may swallow air while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and the late afternoon and evening hours are generally the time when all infants – with or without colic – cry the most.

It is important to emphasize that infant colic is not due to anything the parents have done wrong. It is a well-known, normal part of some babies' development in the first months.

Can colic be caused by a milk allergy or something else in the diet?

In most babies with colic, there is no connection to specific foods, and colic is not the same as a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. However, if the baby also has other symptoms – such as skin rash, vomiting, poor weight gain or blood in the stool (the baby should always be seen urgently to rule out intussusception/volvulus) – it may be relevant to investigate whether there is another underlying cause for the symptoms.

It is always a doctor or health visitor who assesses whether there is a need to examine the baby's diet in more detail, and parents should not place the baby or the breastfeeding mother on a restrictive diet on their own without this assessment.

What can you do yourself when your baby has a stomach ache?

Although there is no treatment with documented efficacy against colic itself, there are several things that can help comfort the baby and relieve discomfort during these difficult periods:

• Carry the baby close to your body, e.g. in a baby carrier, and use movement and rhythm.
• Give the baby a warm bath or place a warm hand on their belly.
• Massage the baby's belly with gentle movements.
• Ensure good burping breaks during and after meals
• Create a quiet environment with dimmed lights and low noise in the evening

Many parents find that different methods work differently from child to child, and that it may take some trial and error to find what works best for your baby.

Is infant colic hereditary?

There is no clear hereditary cause for infant colic. The condition occurs in babies regardless of family history, and it is not something that can be predicted or tested for in advance. If an older sibling has had colic, it does not necessarily mean that a younger sibling will also have it – and vice versa.

What is the significance of colic for parents?

Having a baby who cries inconsolably for hours every day can be very stressful. Many parents become worried, exhausted and may feel powerless when they are unable to comfort their child. It is completely normal to need support during this period, and it is important to know that as a parent you are not doing anything wrong even if your baby continues to cry.

Frequent contact with the health visitor can be a great help – both to confirm that the baby is thriving normally, and to get support and relief during a period that can be tough for the whole family.

When should you see a doctor for a baby who cries a lot?

Most babies with colic do not need a medical examination, but it is always a good idea to have your baby evaluated if you are in doubt. You should contact a doctor or health visitor if your baby is not gaining weight normally, is not doing well, or if you are quite affected by your baby's crying. If there is a fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, the baby is lethargic, or other signs that the baby is sick rather than just restless, or if the crying changes character and becomes different from the baby's usual crying pattern, you should contact a doctor urgently.

A medical evaluation can rule out other causes of the baby's discomfort and give parents reassurance that the symptoms are part of normal, harmless infant colic.

Baby with stomach ache (colic) at Charlottenlund Private Hospital

At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, your baby can be examined by a specialist if you are concerned about your child's crying, stomach symptoms or well-being. The doctor will start with a thorough conversation about the baby's symptom pattern, sleep, diet and weight development and then assess whether further examinations are needed or whether the symptoms fit with the common, harmless infant colic.

The purpose is to give you as parents clarity and reassurance – and to clarify whether there are other matters that should be investigated further.

You can book an appointment online or contact us if you would like an assessment of your child's symptoms.

Experience and skills at Charlottenlund Private Hospital

At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, your baby can be assessed by a specialist in pediatrics if you have any doubts about crying, stomach symptoms or well-being. The assessment is based on the baby's symptom pattern, weight development and diet and is intended to provide you with clarity and rule out other causes. You will find an overview of all departments on our department page.

Sources:

- Weekly for Doctors: Chiropractic treatment of infant colic lacks evidence