Complications
Colic does not cause
short-term or long-term medical problems for a child.
Colic is stressful for
parents. Research has shown an association between colic and the following
problems with parent well-being:
·
Increased risk of
postpartum depression in mothers
·
Early cessation of
breast-feeding
·
Feelings of guilt,
exhaustion, helplessness or anger
Infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy or after delivery have an increased risk of developing colic.
Shaken baby syndrome
The stress of calming
a crying baby has sometimes prompted parents to shake or otherwise harm their
child. Shaking a baby can cause serious damage to the brain and death. The risk
of these uncontrolled reactions is greater if parents don't have information
about soothing a crying child, education about colic and the support needed for
caring for an infant with colic.
