Treatment for colic

Colic usually affects babies in the age group of 2 weeks to 16 weeks. The cause of colic is not known and usually the symptoms of colic get better without treatment in most babies by the age of 4 to 5 months. However, the inconsolable crying of babies is extremely distressing for parents and they may begin to doubt their parenting abilities.

Some forms of treatment for colic are as follows:

Holding the baby upright and patting her back

Once the baby starts screaming as a result of colicky pains the parents can hold her upright and gently pat her back. This can be done after every feed in order to bring the wind out.

Tummy massage

Some health professionals advise that gently massaging the baby’s tummy with warm oil may also help in bringing the wind out and relieving the symptoms of colic in the distressed baby. The massage is usually taught by the childhood health nurse and can help to soothe the baby.

Gripe water

Gripe water is a generic term for liquids that claim to ease gas, digestion and other ‘colicky’ symptoms. Different formulas contain different ingredients including some herbal ingredients. There is no scientific evidence that gripe water can improve colic in babies and such products should only be used in consultation with your doctor.

Homeopathic medicines

There are some excellent Homeopathic medicines such as colocynthis that can help to relieve the colicky pains in babies. But these medicines should be taken after proper consultation with your homeopath as well as your doctor.

Consulting a doctor

If the baby is not gaining weight properly then the crying of the baby is related to colicky pains that may be associated with other health problems like gastro esophageal reflux disease and lactose intolerance. In these cases it is important t seek medical intervention.

Parents need to take turns in soothing the baby

An inconsolable and distressed baby may cause great anxiety and stress for the parents. Hence parents need to take turns calming the baby and walking her up and down. Gently rocking the baby may help to calm her down for a while but she is again likely to return to the bouts of crying.

Parents may also talk to their health professional or other parents in the same situation. It is also important to ask for the support of friends and relatives especially during the first few months of the baby’s life. After the baby turns 4 months old the parents have already overcome the major parenting hurdle called colic.

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Colic affects around one in three babies

Colic is extremely common in the first few months of the life of the babies. It is estimated to affect at least 20% of babies during early infancy. By the time the babies are 4 to 5 months old the symptoms of colic are eased.

Causes of colic in babies
Digestive system of babies is still in developing stage in early infancy

The causes of infantile colic are not yet known. Some theories suggest that the digestive system of the babies is still in the developing stage in the first few months of life. As a result there is formation of wind in the abdomen which the babies are not able to pass out on their own. This results in abdominal pain and the babies cry. By the time the babies turn 4 to 5 months old the symptoms of colic disappear.

Fault in the mother’s diet

Some experts suggest that colic in breastfed babies is a result of fault in the mother’s diet. However, there is no scientific or clinical evidence to support this theory.

Whatever the mother eats passes on to the baby by way of breast milk. So health professionals have advised that mothers need to limit the intake of spicy food and allergic foods like eggs and soy. The rule for the breastfeeding mother is to eat anything and everything but in moderation.

Occasionally breastfed babies are helped by removal of cow’s milk and dairy products from their mother’s diet. This should only be done with the help of a doctor.

Colic in babies may be a result of other problems like lactose intolerance and gastro esophageal reflux disease

Even though the babies cry due to colicky pains it is does not affect their growth and they usually thrive well. If they are not gaining weight properly and not feeding well then the colic may be related to other health problems. In such cases the colic may be related to other problems such as lactose intolerance and gastro esophageal reflux. Lactose intolerance may also be associated with other food allergies like allergy to eggs and soy or dairy products. In reflux diseases the babies are not able to pass the milk from the esophagus into the digestive tract resulting in milk spillage.

Hence parents should regularly check the growth, weight and other developmental milestones with a registered childhood nurse. In case of any major health problems the parents should consult their health professional.

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The digestive system of the babies is still in the developing stage in the first few months of life. As a result there is formation of wind in the abdomen which the babies are not able to pass out on their own. This results in abdominal pain and the babies cry. The baby may arch backwards and either draw the knees up or stretch the legs out stiffly. Colic is usually relieved by holding the baby in the upright position and gently patting her back. The parents may also try to soothe the distressed baby by walking her up ad down or by gently rocking her. Some experts believe that gripe water can relieve the colicky symptoms in babies but there is no scientific evidence for it.

Babies cry for a number of reasons

Babies cry for a variety of reasons and sometimes babies will cry for no reason at all. Babies usually cry when they are hungry, when they are colicky, because of a dirty nappy when they are sleepy and tired and sometimes only to gain attention. When babies cry it is important to look for signs that will suggest the reason she is crying. You can check the nappy and change it if it is soiled. If the baby is tired and sleepy then she will start rubbing her eyes or picking her nose. If the baby is hungry she may start sucking her thumb. If even after feeding her and changing her nappy and making sure she is comfortable she still starts crying then it means her crying is related to colic.

Monitor the weight gain and growth of the baby

For parents, seeing a baby cry inconsolably can be stressful and extremely distressing. They may feel that they are either doing things wrongly or letting their child down. They may even lose confidence in their parenting abilities. It is important to remember that, if it is colic, it is a common phase which will eventually go away and has nothing to do with bad parenting. Colic is relatively short-lived – in a matter of weeks or months one of the first major challenges of parenthood will be over. Even though the babies cry due to colicky pains it is does not affect their growth and they usually thrive well. If they are not gaining weight properly and not feeding well then the crying is not related to colic and the parents should consult their health professional. In such cases the colic may be related to other problems such as lactose intolerance and gastro oesophageal reflux.

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