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There is no straight solution for colic, and there is no definitive diagnosis. About 20% of babies develop colic, according to the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. While colic will not harm your baby and few babies will ever need medical attention for it, the crying can shred a parent's nerves and create anxiety in both parents and baby

Don't panic and don't feel guilty. You are not a bad parent, just because you don't know how to make your baby stop crying. Try keeping calm and start trying out solutions, even if you have to do it while crying floods of tired tears. Try to be patient but when your baby's crying or your lack of sleep gets to you, ask someone to step in. It might be a terrible experience for them, but you'll come back stronger and calmer.

Is it colic?

The closest diagnosis to colic is by defining your baby's crying, with the rule of three. If your baby cries inconsolably for more than three hours a day, more than three days per week and is aged between three weeks and three months, he will be diagnosed with colic.

While the main symptom is crying, there are others to watch out for. The crying will often happen at the same time every day and usually after the afternoon feed. Your baby could also be pulling up his legs to his chest, refuse to eat, have a lot of wind and be very sleepy but not able to fall or stay asleep. Babies could have one of these symptoms or a combination of all.

Causes

There are theories of what can cause colic and possible factors. The cause could be everything from the dysfunction in the digestive, nervous or immune system of your baby. The colic could be related to trapped wind, milk protein or lactose intolerance, stress or over-stimulation and parent's anxiety.

What to do

There is no definite cure for colic; you will have to try out the solution that works for you. You will find and will be given a lot of advice and suggestions for home cures. There is unfortunately too little scientific evidence for much of the colic cures. Many of the cures could just have a placebo effect, but as long as it works most parents will not complain.

Hunger – make sure it is not hunger due to a growths spur that is making your baby cry. If you are bottle feeding either give an extra feed, increase the quantities or change the size of the teat. If you are breastfeeding, make sure your baby fully empties the breast before moving him onto the next one. Try this suggestion slowly, if your baby’s colic is related to the digestive system over feeding might also cause the colic.

Lactose intolerance and milk allergy – lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage or lack of the enzymes required to break down milk. A baby’s immature digestive and immune system may not be able to cope with the allergens in cow’s milk based formula, creating an allergic reaction to the milk.

Unless there is a proven intolerance or allergy, there is no scientific evidence that shows that replacing breast or cow's milk based formula will have any effect on colic. Some parents will still prefer to change to a goats milk based formula. Talk to your GP or public health nurse if you suspect your child suffers from lactose intolerance or milk allergy before you change his diet.

Breastfeeding diet – avoid eating spicy or heavy foods, as your breast milk is directly related to what you eat. Other foods that are normally in your diet can also cause colicky symptoms, such as dairy products, coffee and foods that cause gas, such as cabbage, beans and broccoli. You can avoid some of the foods for a few days and reintroduce them slowly.

Wind – bottle fed babies can sometimes swallow a lot of wind causing abdominal distention, gas or air in the intestines. Make sure to wind your baby properly after every but also during the feed. Try to get your baby to eat slower by taking breaks during the feeding.

There are also many brands of feeding bottles specifically designed to reduce the amount of air a baby gulps down.

Baby-carrying and Swaddling – carrying your baby in a sling will give him the continuous comfort of your body warmth and smell, at the same time leaving your hands free. It could simply be that your baby needs some extra attention. Swaddling is particularly calming for newborns and babies up to two months old, as it is simulates the womb making them feel warm and secure.

Reduced stimulation and White noise – too much going on, both in changes of routine, noise or activity can cause your baby to become over-stimulated as his nervous system is not fully developed to handle it. A stressful environment can become a vicious circle, where the parent's stress can stress the baby and possibly cause the colic, which in turn stresses the parents. Reduce the stimulation your baby is exposed to and create a calm and relaxed environment.

The continuous noise of a household appliance, such as the vacuum or washing machine, can have a calming and positive effect when you place your baby close to it. You can also try a vibrating or rocking baby bouncer.

Massage and Relaxation – try getting your baby to relax by giving baby massage or a warm bath. Massage your baby before he usually starts crying, but well after a feed. Make sure you are relaxed and have plenty of time. Many parents swear by the Tummy Tub, which like swaddling simulates the safety and comfort of the womb.

Colic drops – pharmacies sell many different drops to relieve colic, such as Infacol, Dentinox, Lactease and Colief, are a few available brand names. Non You will also often be recommended to give your baby non-alcoholic gripe water, but there is no recorded evidence that it treats your baby's colic.

Some pharmacies will have their own mixture for colic relief, which often is both recommended by local GPs, public health nurses and parents.