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Colic in Babies: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

An attack of crying due to abdominal pain in young ones is known as colic. Colic in babies is a common condition which affects up to 1 in 5 infants during the first few months after birth.

All the babies cry for different reasons such as

  • Hunger
  • Cold
  • Tiredness
  • Heat
  • Needs to be held
  • Teething
  • Trapped air
  • Irritated
  • Diaper needs changing
  • Want more or less stimulation

If there is none of above reason and your baby cry even after being bed, cleaned and well cared for, it means your baby can have colic issue and they have repeated episodes of crying. Colic although lasts for only weeks but it causes a lot of ,stress for the parents. It usually appears a few weeks after birth and can last for three to eight months. Colic is not dangerous nor harmful as it has no long term effects. Baby with colic will usually gain weight properly and feed normally. Your child with colic may be crying for no clear reason. There is a standard which is used to define the colic as baby crying for

  • More than 3 hours a day
  • More than 3 days a weak
  • More than 3 weak

You can do nothing to relieve your baby while crying due to colic. This crying is usually worse between 4 and 6 weeks of age after birth. Most of the babies grow out of colic when they are around 4 to 6 months old. Babies with colic are difficult to console and may cause a lot of anxiety for new parents. Babies with colic pain usually turn red while crying and they are usually showing discomfort by trying to move. When they cry or feed they are swelling air that may cause gas. It can make their tummy look like swollen or feel too hard or tight. They show relief after passing gas or having bowel movement. Colic is not a disease and really just a catch all term for excessive crying in otherwise healthy baby. There is no certain or 100% valid solution for it. It is very difficult to calm a colicky baby but have many natural and medicinal remedies to make it easy for the baby in pain.

Colic is a common  and self-operating problem of a a new born baby. It is mostly common in formula fed babies and breastfed babies are less prone to colic pain. Colic pain attacks can occur at any time of the day but mostly it gets worse in the night . The interpretation of baby’s crying as being colic or not is a decision made  by the parents and,  especially if it happens episodic, may be considered as colic.

Type of Colic in Babies

Usually three types of colic are considered which are following:

Renal colic

This is abdominal pain which is caused by kidney stones. Its pain can be constant and come in waves.

Biliary colic

This type of colic is caused by gallstone obstructing the cystic duct.

Painter’s colic

This is due to lead poisoning.

What are characteristics of Colic pain

Timing

It begins at 2 weeks of age and mostly goes away after 6 months.

Behavior

Bouts of crying are prolonged and not soothed even by feeding or rocking your baby. Your child usually has the following

  • Arching back
  • Legs bent over abdomen
  • Clenched fists
  • Hard abdomen
  • Passing of gas
  • Painful look on face

Symptoms of Colic in Infants

Its normal for babies to cry but the babies who have colic cry more than most babies even they are healthy but colic is painful and causes discomfort. Following are some symptoms if your child has colic

  • Crying for not any obvious reason(they are not hungry or don’t need a diaper change.
  • Crying at the same time each day. They often get fussy at the end of the day, however crying can happen at any time.
  • Curling up their legs
  • Crying like they are in pain
  • Turning their color into bright red when crying
  • Inconsolable and nothing you do to seem it better
  • Your child will often close his eyes and open them very widely
  • Furrow his brow
  • Hold his breath briefly
  • Bowl activity increase and may pas gas

Some other reason by which you can determine that your child has colic problem are following

  1. Intense crying
  2. Changed posture
  3. Sleeping
  4. feeding
  5. wind
  6. Varying intensities

1: Intense Crying

The baby cries intensely and you can do nothing to comfort him. Face of your Baby become red and flushed. Crying episodes usually tend to occur same time every day. Generally during the late afternoon or evening, they cry more. Crying start suddenly and there is no apparent reason.

2: Changed Posture

First may be tensed abdominal muscles, drawn up knees and the back arched.

3: Sleeping

Your child may sleep irregular and interrupted with crying if suffering from colic.

4: Feeding

If your child have colic, the amount of feed not reduced but feeding may be interrupted with intense crying. A baby with colic pain tries to get consoled by feeding again and again.

5: Wind

Due to intense crying, the baby may pass wind. But this is not easy for a few weeks baby aso they are mostly helped out by parents or care givers through massage or exercise.

6: Varying Intensities

In some child, symptoms are mild baby only experience restlessness while in others this may seem to be worst pain.

Common Causes Of Colic

Doctors and parents are not sure about the causes of colic in infants. But researchers have looked into possible reason. Some of the following factors can contribute.

  • Milk allergies
  • Immature gut of infant
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Wind or indigestion involved in colic
  • If the digestive system of your child is not fully developed, it may cause colic
  • Underfeeding or Overfeeding of your child.
  • Overstimulation
  • Your child is sensitive to formula milk or breast milk
  • Emotional reaction to excitement, fear and frustration
  • Not properly burping after feeding the baby
  • Although it is safe that even hours and hours of crying not hurt your child but it leaves anxiety on parents and draims the baby. Try the following to cope with your child having colic that not quit.
  • Hold your baby in your arms because a fresh  set of arms help to calm your baby while crying.
  • While crying, wrap your baby in a blanket that will make him feel comfortable.
  • Sit the baby upright position at the time of feeding. This will prevent the air swallowed
  • Make sure that after feeding hold your child upright position. Rub their back and stomach that will help in digestion. Pulling out some milk is normal in babies. Help your baby in burping after every feed.
  • Massage and bathing with warm water may also help.
  • Help a colic baby by exercise a lot of tutorials are available for this on internet.

How to Cure Colic in Breastfeeding Babies

  • If your baby is breastfeeding, keep your diet according to the doctor’ s plan because your diet directly affects your baby. If you avoid eating spicy foods and alcohol, the colic problem in your baby becomes less severe.
  • Don’t take overdose of caffeine and chocolate because they might work as stimulants.
  • Avoid the products which are allergic to your child such as nuts and dairy products. But this too shall be confirmed by the doctor.
  • Mothers who feed their babies should try to have plenty of water and healthy foods.
  • Try to take hypoallergenic foods, it will improve the conditions.
  • Hold your child massage their back after every feed to burp.
  • You may help by moving their legs to relieve gas.

Following are the products you might need to avoid during breastfeeding depending on your pediatrician’s advice.

  • Milk (if the baby has milk allergy or lactose intolerance)
  • Chocolate
  • Powder yeast
  • Capsicum
  • Spices
  • Herbs
  • Alcohol
  • Stimulants

Colic in Formula Feeding Babies

  • Your child can be sensitive to protein in formula milk so try some different brands which might help them in colic.
  • Try to feed your baby smaller at a time but more often at pauses.
  • Do not feed your child too much at a time and too fast. If your baby eats very fast then use a nipple with a smaller hole  as it will slow their feeding.
  • Use room temperature formula to feed you baby
  • Try to feed your baby in an upright position.
  • If your child has colic then hold him as it will respond well.
  • Hold your baby in upright position and help him in burping after every feed as it will remove the gas.
  • Try to keep your baby in fresh arms in the evening and while walking.

How to sooth your baby

  • Give your baby extra skin contact with you.
  • Sit your baby in warm water or place a warm towel on his stomach.
  • Massage your child.
  • Pacifiers can also be helpful in colic.
  • Give drops to your baby recommended by your doctor.
  • Take your baby in her or his car seat and go for a ride which may help to cope with colic.
  • Use some sounds and vibrations as it will divert their attention and they will feel calm.
  • Talk to your baby.
  • Colic can be difficult and hard for babies. Rub your baby’s back softly.

Diagnosis

A doctor usually conduct physical examine of your child to determine that what makes your baby uncomforted. If baby is otherwise healthy, colic is diagnosed. Any scan or test not required in this case.

Treatments

Colic is usually a normal part of first few months of infants and is not dangerous so there is not any recommendation to give any medicine.

Homeopathies

If your baby is suffering with colic, try these remedies which may help. If symptoms are severe, contact the  registered homeopath because  you need a different remedy according to the situation of your child.
Following are few that a homeopath may recommend:

  1.  Colocynthis
  2.  Chamomilla
  3.  Dioscorea

1: Colocynthis

Tearing, violent, Pain,  cutting, griping, belly bolating in waves. Sometimes this can happen with diarrhea, vomiting and nausia. Its better to bend double which will create a pressure and as a result stool will pass. Avoid feeding before a stool exercise because babies usually pull their legs toward their bellies and scream if moved.

2: Chamomila

Excessive and continuous crying, often abated either by the stiffening of the back or drawing their legs upward. Baby cry angrily in pain. You can sooth your baby momentarily by walking/rocking but this will just for a short time. Cheeks often overjoyed.

3: Dioscorea

Belly boom, Pain cramps, griping and twisting.

Its better to bend your child backward for stretching out. Do not bend forward or during in  the morning. Babies arch their back and cry. They usually have windy tummies and  not want to lie down and are better from being held upright.

Home remedies

Following are two basic home remedies which you can try to relief your baby’s colic pain.

  • Mix 2 tablespoons of almond oil and 1 drop of Roman Chamomile, one drop of Lavender, and one drop of Geranium or Dill. Mix it well until a paste is developed then apply this paste to the back and stomach. Eructation the baby and make  the abdomen warm by placing a warm water bottle will help to bring relief.
  • Mix two tablespoons of a carrier oil with two drops of Melaleuca, one drop of Lemon and one drop Of Guard. Mix it very well and make it in the form of a paste. Massage this paste on the neck and chest of your baby.

Therapies

There are some therapies which can be used to treat the colic in your child.

  • Dicyclomine can be used in the case of stomach cramps. It is commonly used in colic treatment but it may cause some problems in infants such as weakness of muscles, breathing issues and lack of consciousness which may lead to coma in infants.
  • Star anisa tea is an herbal tea which can be used to treat colic.it is very popular now a days.

Massage

  • Massage for infants increases the love and passion of your child for you and is the best time of communication between both of you.
  • Massage also improves the working mechanism of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Massage provides relief in colic, constipation, wind and hormonal stress.
  • Reduce crying due to colic and its pain.
  • Makes your baby to feel attach with your.
  • Also gives relief from cold, cough  and teething pain.
  • It increases the blood circulation which makes the baby feel good.
  • It strengthens the muscles of your child’s body.
  • It increases the bonding of you with your child by having eye contact, touch and smell.
  • Promote relaxation and increase the release of oxytocin which is known as love hormone.
  • Massage is the best time for you to understand the behaviors and needs of your baby.

How to massage

Following are some steps for good massage to your child

  1. Resting hands
  2. Water wheel
  3. Knees up
  4. Touch relaxation
  5. Sun Moon
  6. Knees up
  7. Touch relaxation

1: Hand resting

You should start the massage by taking a deep breath and place your hands on the tummy of your baby.

2: Water wheel

Stroke by using alternate hands from ribs to legs. Repeat this 6 times.

3: Knees up

Place the knees of baby together and rub toward that tummy.

4: Touch relaxation

Use your hands, voice and light to sooth your baby having colic. At first, draw your one hand clockwise in circle and then other hand in partian clockwise.

5: Knees up

Keep the knees close together and put them gently into the tummy.

6: Touch relaxation

Again use your hands, voice and sounds to make your Baby feel good in colic.

When To Consult A Doctor

If your child crying adversely and non stop, then you should call to pediatrician. He will examine and if predict that your baby is suffering  from colic then advice you to apply some extra strategies.

 Infant colic which is defined as immoderate crying in an healthy baby, is a painful phenomenon, but here is a little confirmation to support the  treatments provided. Several studies show some benefit by the use of  hypoallergenic formula, low stimulation and maternal diet of the child. While dicyclomine are considered to be very effective for your child with colic, there are some important concerns about the safety of your child and the manufacturer has indicated its use. An herbal tea that contains fennel, vervain, licorice and chamomile and balm-mint was effective in the case of small RCT, but its volume necessary for treatment restrict its usefulness. The one demonstrating treatment is as this behavior lead to dissolve by 6 months of age. Ensure the good clinical course with a wide range of  actualization, safe approach which is proportional to power of the baby suffering from colic.