Colic is the term used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy infant during its first three to four months of life. “We typically diagnose colic if the baby is crying at least three hours a day, for three or more days per week and for three weeks or more,” says Dr. Mary Ann Wilkinson. “We don’t know exactly why colic occurs but it is thought that these babies are unusually sensitive to stimuli and are unable to self-console or regulate their nervous systems.”
Sometimes colicky babies are responding to a discomfort in digestion. A colicky baby can be sensitive to foods in the mother’s breast milk, so it may helpful for mothers to eliminate milk products, caffeine, spicy and gas producing foods to see if this improves the baby’s digestion, Dr. Wilkinson suggests. If formula is used, switching to a hypoallergenic formula may be worth a try to decrease gas and ease digestion, she adds.
The main colic symptom is inconsolable crying:
Other colic symptoms are:
Dr. Ann Wilkinson is the Chief of Staff at CHOC at Mission Hospital. She completed both her internship and pediatric residency at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, Calif. Dr. Wilkinson started out in medicine as a pediatric oncology nurse prior to medical school at UCSF and has been a pediatrician in South Orange County since 1992, currently practicing at Sea View Pediatrics.
Dr. Wilkinson’s philosophy of care: “I believe being a doctor for children is truly a family affair, requiring a joint effort between the doctor and parents to raise a healthy and happy child.”
EDUCATION:
University of California, San Francisco Medical School
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS:
Pediatrics
Some baby spit-up is a fact of life for parents of infants, but a baby who spits up a lot or often may have reflux, a CHOC pediatrician says.
What is acid reflux in babies? Reflux is a condition wherein food comes back up into the esophagus from the stomach. This sometimes happens to babies because their gastrointestinal tract is immature and has not fully developed yet.
Sometimes called the “witching hour,” late afternoon and early evening can be frustrating for parents and babies alike.
This part of the day is a common time for even the calmest of infants to suffer some fussiness, says Liz Drake, a CHOC clinical nurse specialist. In the video above, find 5 quick tips to soothe a baby with colic.
Screen Time Insomnia
Screens, including TVs, computers, tablets, iPhones and video games, can emit a blue light that can be a strong signal to your brain that it’s daytime or wake time. If the screen is being used at night, it can send your body a signal that makes it difficult to know it’s nighttime and sleep time.
Identifying Child Abuse
If a baby isn’t cruising, crawling or getting around, a bruise would be worrisome unless there is an explanation,” says CHOC pediatrician and child abuse expert Dr. Wong. Another sign of abuse may be bruises in unusual places, like the abdomen or buttocks.
Current Diet Trends & Kids
A vegetarian diet excludes meat, poultry, fish, seafood and shellfish but includes eggs and dairy products. “It can be really healthy for children and teens. Vegetarian diets include a lot of healthy foods like fruit, veggies, whole grains and protein-rich foods like eggs, tofu, and dairy products.
