Consult Parenting Tips for answers to common questions and practical advice on infant care.   This valuable online parenting resource is updated regularly.

Information and advice in Parenting Tips is provided by Montreal paediatrician, and The Liandrea Company Inc. medical advisor, Dr. Denis Leduc.

Dr. Denis Leduc is the President-elect of the Canadian Paediatric Society as well as an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at McGill University.

WHAT IS COLIC?
Colic is defined as a baby who cries unconsolably for approximately 3 hours a day for more than 3 days a week

HOW COMMON IS COLIC?
Colic is a relatively common condition occurring up to about 25% of children.

WHEN DOES COLIC OCCUR?
Colic usually occurs by the third or fourth week and disappears by the fourth month.

WHAT CAUSES COLIC?
No one has been able to pinpoint the actual cause of colic. It is felt that maybe colic is the upper spectrum of normal crying, the top of the bell-shaped curve, and these are children who are much more vocal, much more expressive of their temperament.

COLIC MYTHS
Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence linking colic to a baby's digestion.

COPING WITH COLIC
Keep the environment very calm.
Dim the lights.
Rock your baby gently and try to comfort in a very non-hyper-sensitive way.
Avoid overhandling your baby.
Leave your baby in his crib for a few minutes to work it out
Never shake your baby.

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