Colic actually describes a condition where a baby cries for more than three hours at a time for at least four days a week, but often every day. This reaction seems to occur in babies around 2-3 months old and usually subsides by age 6 months.
Babies with colic scream, cry, and sob for hours at a time for no conceivable reason. They aren't too hot, too cold, suffering from a wet diaper, hungry, or sleepy. However, they are probably, to some degree, overstimulated, anxious, lonely, or confused. The dramatic change between living inside the womb and getting thrust into the noisy, strange, unpredictable world can be jarring to babies. Many react with colic.
The easiest kind of colic to diagnose and treat is the rare situation where an infant has a bothersome reaction to her food. Both formula and breast milk can cause mild food allergies, gas, or intestinal cramps. A pediatrician can recommend an experimental shift to a different brand of formula. If breast-feeding, your system passes on whatever is in your diet. It's a good idea to eliminate chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, nuts, and strong spices like garlic, chili, onions, and curry.
Colic soon involves a child in a cycle that can be difficult to break. If he is gassy, he cries, thus swallowing air and blowing up his stomach even more. If he isn't gassy, he soon will be after hours of continuous sobbing. This can be an incredibly tense, exhausting, and scary experience for new parents who worry about it. You can probably do little to assuage it, other than wait until your baby grows out of it.
Most suggested courses of action aren't really cures but just new ways of carrying, rocking, or holding your baby. For example, to eliminate or reduce gas, always burp right after feeding. Do not overfeed when your baby seems to want more milk. She's seeking the comfort of suckling, and can be eased by sucking on your pinky finger or a pacifier. Sit baby up to ease digestion and allow breathing without swallowing air. Experiment and see what works.
Colicky children will usually calm with repetitive motions and sounds. Tie a sling around your stomach or back so baby can walk around with you all day. Keep him or her in an environment with little outside stimulation, like bright lights or loud noises, yet generous parental attention, like holding, cuddling, and singing. Finally, your increased anxiety, can antagonize an already tense child. Take time out to relax and recreate yourself while you endure this time of passage.
The most common and distinctive symptom of colic is excessive crying in a baby that it is otherwise healthy and well-fed.
The crying that is associated with colic is usually very intense. Your baby's face will be red and flushed, their crying will be severe and furious, and there will be little or nothing that you can do to comfort them.
You may also notice a distinctive change in your baby’s posture. Your baby may clench their fists, draw up their knees, or arch their back.
Crying most often occurs in the late afternoon, or evening, and is usually persistent, lasting for at least three hours a day, for at least three days a week, and for at least three weeks duration.
If your baby has colic, it is recommended that you contact your GP when the symptoms of excessive crying first begin.
While colic is not usually a sign of anything serious, it is important that your GP is aware of your child’s symptoms in case they are the result of less common conditions. For example, they may be the result of eczema (a skin condition), or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which is a condition where stomach acid leaks back out of the stomach and into the throat.
A number of signs and symptoms may suggest that your baby is more seriously ill. It is recommended that you contact your GP immediately if your baby:
has a weak, high-pitched, continuous cry (the crying that is associated with colic is usually strong, with a normal sounding pitch)
seems floppy when you pick them up
takes less than a third of their usual amount of fluids, passes much less urine than usual, vomits green fluid, or passes blood in their faeces (stools)
has a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above (if they are less than three months of age), or 39C (102.2F) or above (if they are between three to six months of age)
has a high temperature, but their hands and feet feel cold
has a bulging fontanelle (the soft spot at the top of a baby’s head)
has a fit (seizure)
turns blue, blotchy or very pale
has a stiff neck
has breathing problems, such as breathing fast, or grunting while breathing, or they seem to be working harder than usual to breathe (for example, sucking in under the ribcage)
has a spotty, purple-red rash anywhere on their body (this could be sign of meningitis)
If your baby develops any of these signs and symptoms, contact you GP straight away or.
Colic, and the months of distress and sleeplessness that it brings to both infants and parents, can leave you feeling frantic, frustrated, worried, exhausted, confused, guilty and inadequate. Foremost, it is essential to build and maintain a loving bond with your infant. If your baby experiences colic that does not appear to dissipate, you will probably be looking for a safe, natural and effective colic remedy to ease your baby's suffering. There are several treatments available for baby colic. As always, you should consult your pediatrician first before giving baby any medications, remedies or supplements.
Homeopathic remedies can be an excellent choice for treating infant colic symptoms. Homeopathy is safe and completely allergen-free and side-effect-free. There is only one such liquid formula on the market. Colic Calm Gripe Water is available at leading pharmacies, online and in select health food stores and health practitioners' offices. Colic Calm has a success rate of over 90% in treating baby colic. Many parents and caretakers have been relieved to find an all-natural remedy. The unique homeopathic formula works within minutes, so it is only given on an "as needed" basis. Thousands of satisfied customers have also reported that it works wonders for bloating, pressure, stomach cramps, hiccups, teething and even acid reflux. It is also extremely effective on gas created during introduction of new foods into babies' delicate digestive tracts. A combination of homeopathic ingredients are used to treat the multiple symptoms of colic as depicted below.
There are other gripe waters on the market that are sold as "dietary supplements". Be careful! These are not regulated by the FDA and fall under loose dietary supplement guidelines. Generally, the main ingredients of these products include:
Sodium Bicarbonate (a.k.a. Baking Soda). Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali (antacid) which alters the naturally occurring pH of baby's stomach acid. It may counteract some discomfort caused by acid reflux in cases of acidic stomach. However, changing the delicate pH balance in baby’s system can cause over-alkalinity and exacerbate a colicky condition. Furthermore, sodium bicarbonate is also absorbed into the bloodstream and thus can have unwanted side effects. Studies have shown that sodium bicarbonate can deplete and interfere with Folic Acid and Iron, indicating that it may affect the function or absorption of both.
For this reason, sodium bicarbonate containing products are not to be consumed by “children under 5 years of age”, as stated clearly on antacid and baking soda boxes. Antacids always warn against extended use: “Do not use for more than 2 weeks”. According to some doctors, sodium bicarbonate can cause an imbalance in babies’ electrolytes, which can also lead to serious problems.
Please note that antacids do interact with or prevent the absorption of many medications including, but not limited to, aspirin, tetracycline, penicillamine and ulcer medications (Zantac, Pepcid, Axid, Tagamet). According to Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, antacids (sodium bicarbonate) “should not be given to young children (up to 6 years of age) unless prescribed by their doctor”. Since children often cannot describe their symptoms well, doctor visits are advisable before giving any antacids to children. The condition may require other treatment. In such cases, not only will antacids not help, they may actually lead to unwanted side effects and/ or worsening of condition.
Medline also warns against taking sodium bicarbonate with large amounts of milk or milk products. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Essential Oils and extracts (dill oil, clove oil, fennel extract, ginger extract, etc) are used by all other gripe water brands. There are known safety issues with herbal oils and extracts. Many experts believe they are not to be taken internally by adults, let alone infants. Please be well advised of all possible side effects before giving essential oils to your baby, no matter how small the concentrations.