Body Language of Colic
Knowing what body movements a baby in pain typically exhibits is essential in determining whether your baby has colic. A baby who is crying because it is hungry will not have the same body language as a baby who is doing so in pain. A baby who is suffering from colic will usually have very specific body movements, so keep an eye out and watch your baby carefully to determine he/she is in pain. A baby who is simply hungry will not show the body movements listed below. Pain will be very easy to see in your child once you understand the body language of colic.
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Body Language Signals of Colic
Kicking Legs and Flailing Arms
The baby will kick harder and flail its arms more as the pain increases.
Arching Back, Head to the Side
The baby will become stiffer and stiffer as the pain increases.
Scratching Face and Ears, Pulling Hair
The baby is trying to minimize pain by distracting the body. Example: If you stub your toe, you will try to step on the other toe to minimize the pain you are feeling in your stubbed toe. The baby uses this distraction technique to try and get relief from the sharp stomach pains.
Wincing Facial Expression
Eyes will be closed tightly with a wincing facial expression and a red face.
Hard, Distended, Bloated Abdomen
Pressure builds up in the intestines causing a hard, distended, and bloated abdomen. Umbilical hernias are usually cause to suspect that a baby has colic.
The baby will kick harder and flail its arms more as the pain increases.
Arching Back, Head to the Side
The baby will become stiffer and stiffer as the pain increases.
Scratching Face and Ears, Pulling Hair
The baby is trying to minimize pain by distracting the body. Example: If you stub your toe, you will try to step on the other toe to minimize the pain you are feeling in your stubbed toe. The baby uses this distraction technique to try and get relief from the sharp stomach pains.
Wincing Facial Expression
Eyes will be closed tightly with a wincing facial expression and a red face.
Hard, Distended, Bloated Abdomen
Pressure builds up in the intestines causing a hard, distended, and bloated abdomen. Umbilical hernias are usually cause to suspect that a baby has colic.
