By Dr. Catherine Gant

All babies cry but if it is persistent and prolonged it can be very distressing, particularly when you are already exhausted. If there is a recent and sudden change in your baby’s behaviour or feeding pattern, particularly if he is more irritable, feels hot, has any rashes or seems in pain then get medical help as soon as possible. Most babies cry however because they are hungry, overtired or dirty. This may follow a daily pattern with crying worse at certain times of day - often the evening.

WHAT TO DO

If your baby cries persistently remember that he/she is not doing it deliberately. If the crying becomes unbearable and you are feeling exhausted do ask for help - get a friend to help out for an hour and give yourself a break; don’t feel that you are a bad mother - everyone needs a break from time to time but not many people admit it. If you really feel at breaking point there are lots of people out there to help - call your GP or NHS Direct or even the Samaritans - they can all give help and support 24 hours a day.

Below are some suggestions for sorting out a crying/colicky baby:

1. Get him or her checked for common problems by your GP or Health Visitor - ear infections, vaccine reactions, constipation, gastro-oesophageal reflux, eczema and nappy rash can all be treated. Also check your baby’s weight on his or her growth chart - to give yourself confidence that there is nothing serious wrong.
2. Keep a diary of a typical two days, and see if there is any pattern to the crying.
3. If you are breastfeeding, and the crying is worse in the evening, this may coincide with the time when your milk supplies are low. Try and drink a lot more fluids during the day, and have a big lunch, followed by a real physical rest for an hour (turn the phone off!!) preferably just after feeding so the baby is resting as well. Breast milk production goes in cycles and it may take two or three days for your breast milk supply to respond to a babies growth spurt/increased feeding.
4. If your baby seems hungry, or wants to suck at the breast it is probably best just to let him or her – you may have a lower milk supply because of tiredness, not eating or drinking enough that day, or baby’s increased needs as he or she grows– so have a big glass of water and let the baby feed – the sucking will stimulate you to produce more milk in the next few days which may well stop the crying.
5. Similarly with bottle-fed babies a small extra bottle of milk for the well-winded child may settle them down and give you some extra sleep. Often babies seem to be ravenous in the evening and feed and feed and feed but they will then start to sleep a bit longer in the night and thus start to establish a night-time sleeping pattern, which is obviously to be encouraged!
6. If the baby is clean and well fed and still crying make sure that there is no wind - it can take a lot longer than you think to bring wind up. Very windy babies who really gulp their food down may benefit from being winded mid-feed, once they have calmed down after their initial hunger-pangs are gone.
7. Try baby massage (which can be extremely effective), or put the baby in a pushchair or baby carrier or even in the car to try and soothe them - sometimes just going out can make everyone feel better. A warm bath may also help. Read about baby massage at Welcome to the International Association of Baby Massage UK Chapter.
8. Some people advocate breastfeeding mothers avoiding certain foods - coffee, curry, dairy products in an allergic family etc. But do get advice to maintain a balanced diet. Similarly a change of formula may help in a family with a strong history of food allergies, mention this to your health visitor.
9. Anti-colic drops available from the chemist may help. Never exceed the stated dose. They contain simethicone, which is supposed to help the baby bring up wind.

If you feel really desperate and alone please ask for help - you may have post-natal depression that is easily treated.

FURTHER INFORMATION

See infantile colic in the A-Z of Childhood Illnesses for alternative treatments. Additionally read gastro-oesophageal reflux.

For support try CRY-SIS on days a week 8 am–11pm.

Or call the Samaritans any time on .