Colic is a name given by doctors to explain hard continuous crying by healthy babies.
During these attacks babies scream loudly, draw their legs up sharply, frown, and turn
bright red. This might last for hours. Try to comfort your baby as soon as the crying
starts.
To comfort a colicky baby, try holding him across your knees on his stomach. Other
things that might help are rocking, burping more often during feeding, cuddling,
placing in a baby swing, or going for a ride in the car. Be sure to place your baby in a
child safety seat in the back seat of the car.
No one knows for sure what causes colic. Something inside the baby is making him
uncomfortable. Some think it is due to gas which causes the baby to be uncomfortable.
By the time a baby is 3 months old, colic usually stops. If it doesn't, be sure to tell your
doctor.
If your baby has any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away: unusual bowel
movements, poor sucking reflexes, vomiting, or discomfort when being held.