Three-month colic in babies - prognosis

and Martina Feichter, medical editor and biologist

Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

Three-month colic is a harmless phenomenon that goes away on its own after a while. For the parents, however, this time, when the baby seems to be roaring all the time, is very stressful. Most mothers of cot babies suffer from a chronic fatigue and overstrain syndrome.

Risk: shaking trauma

Crib babies can bring their parents to the edge of their resilience - and sometimes beyond: According to studies, crib babies are particularly at risk of shaking trauma because ignorant, stressed parents shake them in their desperation to bring the roaring child "back to their senses" bring.

But: The neck muscles in babies are still weak and the head is relatively heavy in relation to the rest of the body. If you hold an infant by the upper body and shake it, the small head flings back and forth - the brain is shaken, which can tear blood vessels and nerve tracts. Cerebral haemorrhages and injuries as well as visual disturbances or blindness (due to bleeding from the retina) are the possible consequences.

There are around 400 cases of shaking trauma in Germany every year. Almost a quarter of the children affected die from it, and many others suffer serious complications.

Seek help in good time

If parents notice that they can hardly muster the necessary patience and strength for their crying child, they should seek help immediately - at the pediatrician or at a crying clinic, which specializes in babies with excessive crying attacks. Parents shouldn't be afraid to seek help from family members or an experienced babysitter to look after their child. Even a short walk alone can be a balm for stressed nerves.

As difficult as it may be, the most important thing is that you keep your patience and continue to give your child the love and care they need.

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