Colic

Why does my baby have colic?

The medical community doesn’t know why some babies develop colic while others do not. There seems to be several possible reasons why some babies are more prone to colic. For example, some experts believe it to be related to the immature or delayed development of the digestive system, and/or the nervous system. It might occur after an illnesse such as an infection or due to reflux, and in a small proportion of babies, might occur due to CMPA. However, an underlying illness such as CMPA is rarely the cause (only seen in less than 5% of babies).
Crying in young babies is considered a normal, accepted part of a child’s development, although difficult for parents and caregivers.

Why does my baby cry so much?

Crying is a normal, accepted part of a child’s development. It is the primary means of communication between your baby and you. Healthy newborn babies (0-3 months) cry and fuss, on average, for around 2 hours a day which usually reaches a peak around 4 - 6 weeks of age. After this crying gradually lessens, and by around 12 weeks it is closer to around an hour a day. But all babies are different!

Common reasons for babies to cry include hunger, tiredness, discomfort (for example, their nappy is wet, or they are too hot or too cold); over stimulation can also cause your baby to cry or if they need comforting. Newborn babies (0-3 months of age) will also cry when experiencing discomfort and pain such as reflux, colic, constipation or during illness.

In the infant stage (considered from 3-12 months) babies also cry, again usually to communicate their needs or to express discomfort or distress. But as babies develop they cry less frequently and become better at communicating their needs through other means, such as facial expressions, signs/gestures, and using words.

Although less common, in the toddler stage (considered from 1-3 years) crying also exists. Toddlers might also use crying to communicate. For example, they may cry when they are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, in pain, or feeling ill. Toddlers can also cry when they are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, scared, sad or feeling anxious. For example, if they are separated from their parents/caregivers. Or, just to grab your (their parents’) attention! Experts believe that this is because they are developing their emotional awareness at this stage.

Could my baby have Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

If your baby is crying inconsolably it might be linked to CMPA. However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next (Link to Symptoms). Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s healthcare provider. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.