Your baby’s fussing. She’s crying, and squirming, and nothing seems to soothe her. What’s going on? One possibility is colic. Another is indigestion.

Even though tummy troubles aren’t always the culprit when it comes to a not-so-happy baby, these pains can take your typically tame infant and turn her into a screamer.

What Is Colic?

Every baby cries. From hunger pangs to the need for a snuggle, all infants cry at some point during the day. That said, colic crying is a bit different. Typically, colic is crying that lasts for a minimum of three hours per day, for three (or even more) days a week. Colic crying is also much more intense than just a sob. If your baby seems inconsolable, is screaming and pulling her legs up, it may be colic. Keep in mind that many other issues can also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor or qualified medical professional can make a diagnosis.

Why Does My Baby Have Colic?

That’s a question many mums and dads would love an answer to. Unfortunately, there’s no clear cause of colic. Some babies with colic are overly sensitive to mum’s diet (during breastfeeding). In some cases, cutting out specific sensitivity-causing foods (such as eggs, fish, dairy, wheat, soy and nuts) reduces colic.

Is Colic The Same As Indigestion?

In short – no. That said, stomach discomfort such as indigestion might cause colic-like crying. Babies may have indigestion for many reasons. Again, there is the possibility that mum’s milk is causing stomach sensitivity. Likewise, certain formulas may be hard for some babies to digest. Depending on the evaluation and situation, the doctor may suggest switching brands or type of formula to eliminate indigestion.

What About Wind In The Tummy?

A gassy baby is not necessarily a colicky one. Some babies tend to swallow air during colicky crying. This can lead to wind in the tummy. If this is happening, you may notice your baby’s tummy looking full or more bloated.

How Can My Baby Get Relief?

There’s no ‘cure’ for colic. If the doctor has ruled out any other medical condition, you may need to change your baby’s diet. If that doesn’t do the trick, walking and rocking can soothe her. Sometimes, the tummy down position (across your lap) helps. Adding a gentle back rub also provides added comfort – the same goes for indigestion pains.

How Do Colic, Indigestion And Wind In The Tummy Affect Our Photo Session?

A crying baby and a camera don’t exactly mix well. If your baby’s colicky crying period happens every day at roughly the same time, you can try scheduling your session before this. A post-cry appointment may mean that baby’s still fussy or overly tired (after crying for several hours). If colic crying comes on mid-shoot, walking and rocking baby rhythmically may calm her enough to continue without crying.

If wind in the tummy is your baby’s issue, burping her pre-photo shoot may alleviate the gas. A belly down position may also soothe her tummy – and offer a perfectly sweet pose!

Visit Ashley Low Photography page to find out more about Ashley’s work.

_{This post was first published on Ashley Low Photography blog and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.}

_{Edited by Nedda Chaplin}

_{Image credit: Ashley Low}

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