What Is Evening Colic?
Evening colic is a condition that is common among infants. Many parents are upset or concerned when their babies suddenly go from being happy or even sleeping straight into screaming or weeping, but evening colic is a very common condition. Learning more about evening colic can help you keep calm and tend to your baby when it it happens.
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Features
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Evening colic takes place at the end of the day or in the late afternoon. It features a fit of heavy crying or screaming that lasts for three hours or more at a stretch. For these fits to be categorized as evening colic, they need to happen at least three days a week and for at least three weeks.
Theories/Speculation
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There is no definite known cause for evening colic. According to Dr. Sears, allergies may play a role in making the infant uncomfortable, as can gastroesophagal reflex, or GER. One reason why evening colic takes place late in the day is because the infant is growing progressively tired and irritable.
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Time Frame
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Evening colic typically appears during the first three weeks of an infant's life, and in most cases, the regular crying fits will stop at around 3 months.
Treatments
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There are many different treatments for evening colic in babies. Some homeopathic remedies include the herbs nux vomica and chamomilla. If you decide to pursue homeopathic remedies for your infant, remember that these remedies should only be administered by a professional homeopath. Rocking the infant, holding him or taking him for a ride in a car, all of which give the infant soothing, regular contact, can also be helpful. In severe cases, antispasmodic medications can be prescribed.
Misconceptions
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There are many home remedies regarding evening colic that can do more harm than good. Never give an infant alcohol to calm him down, and never give him sedatives unless they are prescribed to him. Similarly, do not insert soap into the infant's anus in an attempt to calm him. These home remedies can cause health complications in the infant.
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References
- Photo Credit the newborn image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
