Family Nutrition

WIC - Crying, Constipation, Colic and Spitting Up FAQ's

• My baby cries a lot. What can I do?
• What is colic?
• I think my baby is constipated. Should I give a laxative?
• My baby spits up all the time. Should I change formula?

My baby cries a lot. What can I do?

Parents are often surprised at how much babies cry. Crying can be perfectly normal for your baby, but stressful for you. These suggestions may help during these trying times:

• Check to see if your baby is cold, needs a diaper change, or is hungry.

• Wrap your baby snugly in a blanket, hold your baby close to you, and rock gently.

• Turn on soft music. Loud music, yelling, or the television can make the crying worse.

• If the crying makes you feel like you may lose control, get away for a while. Call a friend to take care of your baby while you go for a walk or get out of the house for a few minutes.

• If you can't call your friend, put baby in a crib for safety. Close the door to the room, and go to another room for a few minutes until you have calmed down.

What is colic?

Colic is when a health baby cries for several hours a day and you can't figure out why. Colic usually begins about three weeks of age and goes away by three or four months of age. Your doctor can help you decide if your baby has colic. No one "treatment" works for all infants.

I think my baby is constipated. Should I give a laxative?

NO! A laxative or suppository may be too strong. Many babies do not have a stool everyday. Most babies' faces turn red and they make funny noises when they pass a stool. Constipation is hard stools that are difficult to pass. If your baby is really constipated, the stools will be small and hard like marbles. If you baby is truly constipated, try offering 1 to 2 ounces of plain water each day for 1 to 2 days. If this doesn't help by the third day, call your doctor or clinic.

My baby spits up all the time. Should I change formula?

Most babies spit up some, especially as newborns. Before you change the formula, let's try a few things.

• Read the label and make sure you are mixing the formula right.

• Burp your baby after every 1 to 2 ounces of formula.

• Try feeding your baby in an upright position for about half an hour before lying down flat. An infant seat or car seat works well for this.

If these ideas don't help, talk to your doctor or clinic. They can help you find out why your baby is spitting up.

To address technical problems or make suggestions regarding this site, please email:
wic@alaska.gov