How To Know If Your Baby Has Colic: Paediatrician Shares Advice On What It Is And How To Treat It | HuffPost Life

The word is often 'poorly understood'.

By

Life editor at HuffPost UK

Colic is a term that is often misused to describe all babies who cry a lot.

Babies with colic do exhibit excessive, frequent crying, but for a very particular reason.

“The most likely cause of their crying is having air trapped,” explained paediatrician Dr Keir Shiels. “Air is swallowed during crying and feeding and can get trapped at the top of the stomach.”

The best solution, according to Dr Shiels, is to get the wind out with burping - watch the video above to find out why.

For more information on how to help a baby who may be uncomfortable laying flat due to air or milk in their stomach, read up on treating reflux.

muaotphoto via Getty Images

‘Baby 101’ is HuffPost UK’s parenting video series with paediatrician, Dr Keir Shiels, addressing topics mums and dads may face in their first year of being a parent. From colic to trapped wind, crying babies and their nappy contents, he answers some of the most common questions new parents have.

Before You Go

14 Perfect Baby Names For Children Born In The Winter Months

Robin(01 of14)

Robin is English in origin, and originally became popular because of Robin Hood. Today the name is more closely associated with the British wintery bird - the robin red breast.

Snow(02 of14)

Nothing says winter months like longing for a touch of snow on the ground. Whether you love it or hate it, a white Christmas is symbolic of the season.

Alaska(03 of14)

This might seem like an odd choice for non-Americans, but famous for being a place of temperature extremes, Alaska has beautiful origins, meaning 'great land'.

Noelle(04 of14)

Noelle (or Noel) translates from French to Christmas.

January(05 of14)

Made famous by actress January Jones, this would be a great choice for a baby born in the first month of the year, or for parents who love the new beginnings it represents.

Elsa(06 of14)

The idea of calling your child Elsa might give lots of parents Frozen-related nightmares, but you have to admit, it's pretty wintery.

Holly(07 of14)

What could be more traditional than paying homage to the winter shrub? Holly is a name with English roots.

Paloma(08 of14)

The Spanish name for dove, Paloma is a great choice for a girl.

Neva(09 of14)

In Latin, the word 'nivis' means snow and this has evolved into Neva in the English language. A great choice if you fancy weather-inspired monikers, but want to be less obvious.

Demi(10 of14)

Demeter was the Greek goddess responsible for the arrival of winter. Shortened to Demi this is a great name for a child of the colder months.

Lumi(11 of14)

Meaning snow in Finnish, Lumi is a great choice (even if the most snow we get is some wet slush).

Bianca(12 of14)

Famous for staring in both Shakespeare's 'Othello' and 'The Taming Of The Shrew', Bianca actually translates to white.

Ember(13 of14)

A less conventional choice (sounding a little like Amber), Ember evokes images of cold nights getting cosy by the fire.

Eirwen(14 of14)

Eirwen is a Welsh name (pronouced 'Ay-ren') and roughly translates to white as snow.

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