Colic and jaundice

Colic and jaundice are both common in newborn babies - and while they may cause you to worry, neither usually causes any long term health problems.

Colic

Colic is best described as continuous crying when your baby is otherwise healthy and well fed. The crying, which usually happens in the evening, can seem louder and more serious than usual, and it can be much harder to calm your baby down and get them to settle.Your baby may also draw its knees up to its chest and clench its fists. Colic generally only occurs in the first four months after birth.

Possible causes of colic

No one knows for sure what causes colic, but possible causes include:

• trapped wind - babies can swallow air bubbles when they feed, which can become trapped in the intestines and cause pain
• lactose intolerance - bottle fed babies can be sensitive to lactose found in formula milk, while breastfed babies can react to the presence of dairy products in the mother's diet
• poor digestion - the digestive system of babies is immature and some research suggests that stomach cramps can develop while milk passes through the intestines

Treatment

There is no real 'cure' for colic, and because no-one really knows the causes, it is difficult to pin down successful treatments.

What works for some parents might not work for others, but you might want to bear the following in mind:

• make sure your baby doesn't swallow air when feeding by sitting them upright
• always burp your baby after feeds - sit them upright or hold them with their chin resting on your shoulder and rub their back and tummy until they burp
• your baby may be lactose intolerant, so ask your doctor about lactose-free formula if they are bottle fed, or avoid eating dairy products yourself if you are breastfeeding
• your pharmacist can advise you on medicines that may help colic, such as lactase (a food supplement), and simeticone (an anti-flatulent)
• if you are breastfeeding, avoid drinking too much coffee, tea or soft drinks that are high in caffeine, and also avoid too much alcohol or spicy food

Mothers who are breastfeeding might also want to try cutting back on vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage as these can cause wind which might aggravate colic.

However, as with dairy products, if there is no improvement then you should return to your usual diet.

Remember that if you are breastfeeding it is important your diet contains plenty of calcium.

When to see a doctor

Colic does not require medical treatment, but if your baby is crying all the time you will naturally be worried and want to seek professional help.

If you decide to call your GP, then first make sure that one of the following reasons isn't causing the baby's distress:

• hunger
• tiredness
• temperature (they might be too hot or too cold)
• noise (or something else that may cause them to become startled or scared)
• pain (check for signs of discomfort, such as nappy rash)

Take time out

Often, colic affects the parents worse than it does the baby. It can be very stressful and tiring dealing with the constant bouts of crying and very frustrating when you don't feel you can help them. The most important thing to remember is to take time out to relax. Get a trusted family friend or a babysitter to fill in for a few hours while you get away. Finally, try to remember that it isn't your fault -colic is very common and you have done nothing to cause your baby discomfort.

Jaundice

Jaundice is where the whites of the baby's eyes and the baby's skin seem to be yellow. It is common in babies and most of the time it's completely harmless.

Causes of jaundice

Jaundice is common in newborn babies because their livers are immature. One of the liver’s functions is to remove a yellowy chemical called bilirubin from the body. Bilirubin is found in bile and is made from the breakdown of the red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. The body usually removes bilirubin from the bloodstream by passing it though the liver. If there is too much bilirubin in the blood or the liver cannot get rid of it for some reason, this can lead to jaundice. Many babies, particularly breast-fed babies, are jaundiced for up to two weeks after birth.

Treatment for jaundice

As long as your baby is otherwise well and taking feeds normally, there is no cause for concern if they are jaundiced for the first two weeks after birth. Your doctor/midwife may recommend a blood test, but if your baby’s urine is colourless and the stools (poos) are not pale, then there is no need to worry. If your baby is still jaundiced after two weeks, and has either dark urine or pale stools, then see your doctor/midwife right away.