No, babies with colic aren't necessarily more hungry; their intense crying isn't usually linked to hunger, but rather discomfort, overstimulation, or gas, and they often eat well and gain weight appropriately despite the fussiness. While hunger can cause crying, colic crying often happens even after feeding or is for no apparent reason, though sometimes soothing with sucking (pacifier or nursing) helps, or it could be a sign of reflux or sensitivity.
Colicky babies usually get fussy at the end of the day. But the crying can happen at any time. It can be hard to comfort your baby during these stretches of time. There's no link between these periods of fussiness and hunger or discomfort.
Some babies are more sensitive than others and need more comforting. It's not unusual for a baby to cluster feed in the evening both for comfort and to increase milk production, and crying which is labelled as “colic” may simply mean that the baby needs to nurse again.
Signs of colic
Crying for no reason (not hungry or wet), often in the evening. Fussy, even when crying stops. Skin looks flushed. Body tenses up (stiff legs/arms, clenched fists, arched back or tense belly).
[14] Wessel proposed a diagnostic criteria for infantile colic known as the Wessels "Rule of 3," which are still helpful today. Infants affected by colic experience bouts of fussiness and crying that last at least 3 hours a day for 3 or more days a week for over 3 weeks.
Colic usually starts when babies are about 3 weeks old. It gets worse when they are between 4 and 6 weeks old. Most of the time, colicky babies get better after they are 6 weeks old, and are crying for less than 1 hour per day by the time they are 12 weeks old.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is often mistaken for colic. Infants with GERD may frequently spit up lots of liquid, forcefully vomit, choke or gag, arch away from the bottle or breast, seem irritable during or after feedings, or have trouble putting on weight.
Features of colic may include the following: Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain. Crying for no apparent reason, unlike crying to express hunger or the need for a diaper change. Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished.
A healthy baby may have colic if they cry or are fussy for several hours a day, for no obvious reason. Colicky babies often cry from 6 p.m. to midnight. Colicky crying is louder, more high-pitched, and more urgent sounding than regular crying. Colicky babies can be very hard to calm down.
With the exception of three infants, the pacifier was successful in relieving the irritability and crying of the infant and in causing a cessation of the symptoms of colic.
(Vomiting is a forceful throwing up of stomach contents through the mouth, whereas spitting up is an easy flow of stomach contents out of the mouth.) Vomiting repeatedly is not a sign of colic. Colicky babies typically have normal stools (poop). If your baby has diarrhea or blood in the stool, call your doctor.
When full, your baby probably doesn't seem interested in feeding or just falls asleep after feeding. Your baby can go through periods of increased hunger and fussiness. This increase in hunger means your baby is going through a period of fast growth (a growth spurt).
When fed too much, a baby may also swallow air. This can produce gas, increase discomfort in the belly, and lead to crying. An overfed baby also may spit up more than usual and have loose stools. Although crying from discomfort is not colic, it can make crying more frequent and more intense in an already colicky baby.
Storage of milk depends on the temperature. Many people like to think of the rule of 4's: 4 hours at room temperature; 4 days in the refrigerator; 4 months in a refrigerator freezer with a separate door.
What does overfed baby poop look like? An overfed baby's poop may be loose, watery, greenish, or frothy. It can appear more frequently than usual and may have a sour smell.
Colic is often defined by the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks in an infant who is well-fed and otherwise healthy.
These include:
But when your infant has painful gas, especially if it's frequent, it can cause your baby to cry or become fussy—until it's passed; unlike colic, which causes crying and fussiness that lasts for hours across days and weeks. Gas can have distinctive symptoms, too, such as a swollen-looking belly.
Sometimes a baby with colic will find it soothing to suck on a dummy between feeds. If you decide to give your baby a dummy, it's better to wait until breastfeeding is well-established and he is gaining weight well. You will also need to follow manufacturer's guidelines on cleaning and replacement.