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You are here: Home / Dad / What is colic, really?

What is colic, really?

July 9, 2012 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

While it may sound like a horrible, horrible disease, colic is actually a term simply used to describe a healthy baby that experiences uncontrollable crying for an extended period of time. Despite this seemingly simple explanation, researchers continue to debate the exact causes and nature of this condition. As a father, you might think that that 20 minutes of wailing can push you to your limit, but a colicky infant can cry for hours on end almost every day.

When it starts
Dr. Harvey Karp notes that colicky babies tend to operate with predictable regularity. While crying fits may waver between a few minutes and several hours, they usually occur around the same time each day several times a week. Approximately 10 percent of infants can be classified as colicky – usually peaking at six weeks old and lasting anywhere between three and five months.

Causes and non-causes
There are a number of theories out there about why babies become colicky, but several of these are disproven misconceptions, according to the Mayo Clinic. In particular, this condition has been shown not to be linked to inexperienced, first-time parents, lactose intolerance, breastfeeding or baby formula. Developing digestive systems and related anxiety are possible explanations for colic, but experts still disagree over the particulars.

Recognizable effects
Beyond crying, colic has a number of recognizable effects in affected children. First off, crying is always intense, red-faced wailing – never weeping or sobbing. You may also notice that your baby balls up and thrashes about during these fits, which can be accompanied by gas or bowel movements.

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Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

Spinning Out Family Stress with Michael Blair
byPaul Banas

Welcome to another episode of Great Dad Talks! This week, I sit down with life coach and former psychologist Michael Blair to explore modern tools for family harmony, emotional healing, and child development.

Michael shares the transformative power of his unique “spin” method—a tool rooted in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)—that helps kids, parents, and even whole families quickly change negative emotional patterns in just minutes. Listen in as Michael walks Paul through an anxiety-busting spin live, explains why dads’ involvement is critical to healthy families, and shares actionable tips on self-forgiveness and resilience.

Check out Michael’s website at blaircounselingandcoaching.com

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC

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