What is colic? Colic is a problem that affects some babies
during the first three to four months of life. It is defined by
the "rule of three": crying at least three hours per day, more
than three days per week, and for three weeks duration or more.
It can be very stressful and frustrating to parents. Colic
usually begins suddenly, with loud and mostly continuous crying.
What causes colic? Health care providers are not certain what
causes colic. There are several theories about why colic may or
may not occur, including the following: Adjusting to each other.
One theory about colic relates to the adjustments that a new
baby and his or her parents have to make to each other. Until
babies learn to talk, one way they communicate with adults is by
crying. Parents have to learn to interpret the reasons their
baby is crying, and then figure out what to do to make the baby
happy. Is the baby hungry? Wet? Cold? Hot? Tired? Bored? A baby
will cry for these reasons, as well as for other problems, and
parents must try to