About colic

Bouts of persistent crying occur in all newborns from time to time, and for a variety of reasons. Babies who have regular bouts of intense crying, however, may be diagnosed with colic. Colic is defined as continual or persistent crying without any apparent reason, typically lasting between 2 and 4 hours a day for at least 5 days a week. It usually begins at around 2 or 3 weeks of age, and subsides on its own by 12 weeks. Colic is not uncommon – it’s estimated that as many as 1 in 5 babies have this condition.

Causes of colic

The cause of colic isn’t known. Painful wind may contribute to colic, but there is little evidence to prove that it’s linked to digestive problems.

Another theory is that while their digestive systems are maturing, some babies are intolerant to certain substances such as lactose (sugar found in milk) passed on through breastfeeding and formula milk. However, evidence to support this is limited.

Another possible cause may be your baby’s temperament. This may make your baby highly sensitive to the environment, and he or she may react to stimulation or changes by crying.

If you smoke during pregnancy, your baby is twice as likely to get colic.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is also associated with excessive crying in some babies. However, GORD symptoms include vomiting and difficulty sucking, and these aren’t usual symptoms in babies with colic.

Is Colic a Serious Condition?

Parents of a colicky baby may be relieved to find out that, however alarming the bouts of crying are, colic itself is not a serious condition. Though they may appear to be in distress, babies with colic are usually in good health. Their growth and development tends to thrive much the same as other healthy babies. It should be certain, however, that the child does not suffer from any other medical conditions which could be producing colic-like symptoms. A baby who has regular bouts of persistent crying should be examined by a pediatrician to rule out any possible medical problems, and to confirm that the baby’s health and development are normal.

Although colic is not a serious medical problem, it can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety within the family. Excessive crying can wear on everybody’s nerves, and can lead to feelings of parental inadequacy and constant worrying about the child’s health. This kind of anxiety isn’t good for either the parents or the baby. Colic is neither the parents’ nor the baby’s fault. Parents who are feeling stressed or burned out should seek relief for themselves whenever possible. They should leave the baby in the hands of a competent babysitter, and take time out for a movie, a dinner out, or just a few hours of quiet relaxation. Taking frequent breaks can go a long way towards helping parents cope with their baby’s colic with patience, perseverance, and a sense of humour.

How do I know if my child has colic?

These are several signs.

Colic Baby

• Colic can start within two to four weeks after birth and may last for up to three months.

• Baby cries loudly, often for two to three hours and can’t be comforted.

• Baby often cries at roughly the same time and usually once or twice a day.

• Bowel pains.

• Baby pulls his feet up under his body and clenches his fists.

• Some babies’ stomachs rumble severely and they produce a lot of wind.

Remember, colic might not be the only cause of your child’s discomfort. If

your baby cries loudly all the time and cannot be comforted, you should first consult a doctor before deciding he or she has colic.

Conditions such as volvulus (when the stomach gets twisted), a twisted testicle or other pain can also make a baby cry incessantly. If in doubt, ask your GP.

Can a mother’s diet make colic worse?

Some doctors think that if a baby is breastfed and the mother eats food that can cause gas, this may cause colic or make it worse. Food and drinks that produce lots of gas include:

• orange juice

• vegetables, especially onions and cabbage

• fruit such as apples and plums

• spicy food

• products containing caffeine, such as chocolate, coffee and tea.

Experiment to find out what makes a difference to your child’s colic. The best thing is to leave two days between each change of diet so you know exactly what makes your baby feel better or worse.

Practical treatment

There is no single medicine or proven cure for colic, but there are measures you can try that may help. Different babies are comforted in different ways, and you may need to try a few methods to see what works.

Self-help tips

You may find the following techniques helpful in trying to soothe your baby.

• Hold your baby and walk or dance around with him or her. Babies need lots of contact and like the movement.

• Carry your baby in a front sling or backpack.

• Try using a baby swing.

• Sing softly and talk to your baby.

• You may want to change your baby’s position by propping him or her up, so he or she can look around more.

• Try to soothe your baby with continuous noise or vibrations from household appliances like the dishwasher, vacuum cleaner or washing machine.

• Take your baby for a car ride or a walk in the buggy.

• Give your baby a dummy to suck on.

• Bathe your baby – the warm water may be comforting.

Elimination diets

There are some dietary changes you may wish to try. These may help some babies but none are proven to treat colic.

If your baby has formula milk, your health visitor may suggest switching the brand you use. It’s thought that some babies may not be able to digest lactose very well, but this improves as they get older. If you put breast milk into a bottle or use formula feed containing cows’ milk, you may wish to try adding lactase to it before feeds. Lactase breaks down lactose in the body and can improve symptoms in some babies. You can buy lactase from a pharmacy – always read the patient information leaflet and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.

There is limited evidence to suggest that a hypoallergenic diet (free of milk, eggs, wheat and nuts) or hypoallergenic formula if you’re bottle-feeding, can ease symptoms of colic. If you’re breastfeeding, you could try eliminating dairy products from your diet to see if this eases symptoms. It’s best to consult your GP before cutting out further foods such as wheat and nuts. If symptoms improve, talk to your GP about being referred to a specialist as, although it’s rare, your child may have lactose intolerance.

GPs don’t recommend using soya-based formula milk because it contains a substance called phytoeostrogen. This mimics the action of a hormone (chemical in your body) called oestrogen and this may mean your child’s long-term reproductive health is at risk. Always speak to your GP or health visitor before using soya-based formulas as they should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

Medicines

There is limited evidence that simeticone may improve symptoms of colic. This treatment is used to relieve trapped wind. You may also consider trying ‘colic drops’ or ‘gripe water’, which are available without a prescription. Try these remedies for one week to see if there is any improvement.

Complementary therapies

Chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy or cranial osteopathy may relieve symptoms. However, there is limited evidence that these treatments are effective.

Aromatherapy and tummy massage using lavender oil may help relieve the symptoms of colic. Always ask the advice of a qualified practitioner as some herbal remedies and complementary therapies can be harmful to babies.

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