How to treat colic in infants - Alina Reyzelman

How to treat colic in infants

Is your newborn gassy and fussy? Perhaps its a colic. What is colic and how to treat it? Here is a great advice from whattoexpect website.

The reality is, all babies cry: It’s the best (and only) way for them to communicate their needs at this tender age. And as parents, we’re biologically programmed to respond so those needs get met. But in babies with colic, the crying starts suddenly for no apparent reason…and has no apparent cure.

Colic is not a disease or diagnosis but a combination of baffling behaviours. The term is really just a catch-all term for problem crying in otherwise healthy babies — the problem being, there’s no solution to it besides the passing of time. And it’s common, occurring in one in five infants. Episodes can go on for hours at a time, sometimes late into the night. Worst of all, try as you might — and try you will — it’s extremely difficult to calm a colicky baby, which only compounds your frustration and exhaustion.The true definition of colic follows the “rule of three.” Baby’s crying:

  • Starts at around 3 weeks old
  • Lasts more than three hours at a stretch
  • Occurs at least three days a week
  • Persists for at least three weeks in a row

The good news is that colic doesn’t last. Most bouts peak at around 6 weeks and then end as abruptly as they started, around the time a baby hits the 3 months old (later in preterm babies). In the meantime, a little knowledge and a lot of patience will help you survive until the storm subsides.

While the exact cause of colic is a mystery, experts do know it’s not the result of genetics or anything that happened during pregnancy or childbirth, or parenting skills (or lack of them, in case you’re wondering). Nor is it anyone’s fault. That said, here are some theories on what’s behind colicky crying:

Remember, you should never give your baby any medication, herbal or otherwise, without talking to your pediatrician first. And always talk to your doctor before making major changes in your diet or your baby’s.

If you suspect overstimulation:

Observe baby. Watch how your baby responds to certain stimuli — and steer clear of any that seem to offend.

Create calm. Instead, try to create a peaceful environment might help her relax — dim the lights and keep noise to a minimum.

Avoid the try-everything approach. Rocking, bouncing, driving, swinging and singing may actually make things worse.

If it might be gastrointestinal issues:

Apply pressure to baby’s tummy. Some colicky babies find relief when pressure is placed on their abdomen — and the power of touch alone can be very soothing for both mother and child. So place your baby face-down on your lap or upright with his tummy against your shoulder, or try the “colic carry,” where your baby lies facedown with his belly resting on your arm. Then gently rub or pat her back as you hold him.

Ask about gas drops. Studies show that reducing gas may reduce the discomfort (and crying). So ask your pediatrician about trying trying gas drops (the active ingredient is simethicone; brands include Mylicon or Phazyme), which can alleviate gas. However research hasn’t yet shown that this treatment definitively helps with colic.

Consider probiotics. Probiotic drops may reduce crying in some colicky babies, probably because they ease tummy troubles (probiotic bacteria grow naturally in the digestive tract and help promote intestinal health). Again, research has yet to back this up.

Try gripe water. In the category of “little evidence, lots of anecdotes” is gripe water, a natural colic remedy made of herbs and sodium bicarbonate in drops. Many parents swear by gripe water, but no reliable studies have shown its effectiveness in reducing colic symptoms. And just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe — so ask your doctor before giving your baby this or any herbal remedies.

Watch what you eat. If you’re breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether you should try temporarily eliminating any foods from your diet that can cause tummy troubles, such as gas-causing cruciferous veggies (cabbage, cauliflower) or allergenic foods (dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish).

Switch formulas. For some formula-fed infants, swapping a standard formula for one that doesn’t contain cow’s milk can make a difference. Studies have found that giving colicky babies hypoallergenic whey-hydrolyzed formula decreases colic symptoms in some babies. Just remember that these formulas can cost up to three times more — so since only about 3 percent of babies are allergic to cow’s milk, it’s worth getting your doctor’s take before making the switch. Also steer clear ofcasein-hydrolyzed formula or partially hydrolyzed formulas as therapies for colic — there simply isn’t enough evidence that they work.

Other calming remedies for colicky babies:

Swaddle. Toss a blanket in the dryer and while it’s still warm,wrap it snugly around your baby. The combination of warmth and the feeling of security may help calm baby’s tears.

Make white noise. The hum of the vacuum cleaner or dryer can be comforting to babies (it reminds them of the womb). You may even want to invest in a white-noise machine.

Play soothing music. A crying baby might also respond to quiet singing or the melodic strains of a lullaby CD; other infants enjoy the sounds of nature. Experiment to find something your baby seems to like.

Offer a pacifier. Some colicky babies seem to want to eat all the time — and that might because sucking is soothing, not because they’re hungry. So if your baby seems consistently hungry, a pacifier might help. (It goes without saying, but never use a pacifier as a meal replacement!)

http://www.whattoexpect.com/what-is-colic.aspx