Colic

What is Colic?

Colic is a severe, spasmodic pain that occurs in waves of increasing intensity, reaches a peak, and then stops for a short time before returning. The intermittent increase in pain occurs when the muscles in the affected part of the body contract.

Babies with colic may cry inconsolably and do not seem to respond to the usual means of comforting. Although these babies are healthy and show no sign of illness, they appear to be in pain. Typically, colicky babies become irritable, go red in the face, draw up their legs and pass wind, which sometimes seems to provide relief. Episodes of colic tend to be worse in the evening.

What causes colic?

No one is sure of the exact cause, but colic is common, occurring in roughly one in 10 babies. Some doctors think the baby may be having trouble digesting food. A few studies point to milk sensitivity as a possible cause, but this has not been conclusively proven. The problem may simply be sensitivity to noises in the environment.

Colic usually appears at the age of three to four weeks and rarely lasts past four months of age.

Some researchers believe that colic may be due to a muscle spasm in an immature gastrointestinal tract. There is obviously no serious problem with digestion as a colicky baby eats well, does not vomit up and gains weight normally.

How is colic treated?

There is no specific treatment for colic but there some measures that may help. Recent research has found that the incidence of colic may be lowered among breastfed babies whose mothers eliminate cow’s milk and other dairy products from their diet.

Some doctors are now recommending that this be done even before the baby is born, which may reduce the chances of milk sensitivity in the newborn.

What can I do myself?

Swaddling or wrapping the baby firmly in a light blanket makes the baby feel more secure. Colicky babies are sometimes soothed by motion – try taking the baby for a walk or a drive but be sure you use an infant car seat or secure the carrycot firmly. Simply walking around with the baby with a sling-type carrier may also help.

Don’t try feeding the baby every time he or she cries, as this will only make the stomach more bloated.

Try not to let the baby’s crying make you overanxious or exasperated. If possible, get a break from the stress of being around a constantly crying child by asking a relative, friend or neighbour to take over for an hour or so.

When should I see my doctor?

All babies should have a check-up in the first new weeks after going home. Discuss the crying with your health visitor or that the child development clinic. Your baby’s general health will be checked and a stool sample may be taken to determine if there are any problems with the intestines.

If your baby has frequent and very watery bowel movements with greenish stools, accompanied by vomiting, the crying may be due to a gastrointestinal infection rather than colic. Call your doctor promptly if such symptoms appear.

What will the doctor do?

Your doctor will examine your baby to make sure the colic is not a symptom of other conditions. A change of diet may be tried but otherwise there is no treatment for colic, and you will simply have to wait for your baby to grow out of this problem.

Is Colic Dangerous?

As long as your child is growing normally and does not appear malnourished, there is no need to worry about colic. Parents are often concerned that a colicky baby will develop into a discontented child. However, there appears to be no relationship between colic in the first few months of life and later personality development.

Perhaps one of the most striking features of colic is the emotional stress it entails for the parents.

Symptoms of Colic

• Frequent and prolonged crying.
• Baby draws up legs, as if in pain.
• Baby goes red in the face.

Are there any Natural Remedies for Colic?

Colic should initially recieve professional medical attention, but camomile tea or an infusion of crushed fennel seeds may help relieve the symptoms. Administer in 5ml/1tsp doses.

What can I do to avoid colic?

• Burp the baby thoroughly after feeding.
• If you are breast-feeding, try avoiding milk and other dairy products. Foods in a breast-feeding mother that have been linked to colic include chocolate, wheat, eggs and citrus fruits. Try eliminating them from your diet to see if this helps reduce symptoms.
• Make sure the baby is not swallowing a lot of air as it feeds. This can cause wind and abdominal discomfort.

WARNING

Call your doctor if the baby’s crying is accompanied by diarrhoea, constipation, a fever, or any other symptoms of illness.

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