The Treatment of Colic
There is no magical medical cure for colic. According to some studies, the sedatives and antispasmodic drugs prescribed by some pediatricians are no more effective than a placebo (sugar pill) in treating colic.
The physician’s first step in work-up of an irritable baby is to conduct a thorough physical examination to rule out any organic basis for the distress. For example, hernia, appendicitis, scratched cornea, certain diseases of the central nervous system, and congenital defects of the gastrointestinal or urinary tract can cause prolonged crying in infants.
The physician is also likely to review feeding techniques. Points that may be stressed include the importance of feeding the baby slowly and in an upright position and the need to burp the baby thoroughly. These measures should help minimize the amount of air that is swallowed; swallowed air causes most of the “gas” that leads to pain after feeding.
Breast-feeding mothers should experiment with their own diets. Many infants show dramatic improvement when milk and milk products (cheese, yogurt, etc) are eliminated from the mother’s diet, although it may take as long as a week before results are seen. A recent study found that chocolate and fruit eaten by the mother were associated with colic attacks in breast-fed babies. Through a careful trial and error approach, some mothers have discovered that eggs, caffeine (from coffee, tea, or cola), onions, or supplemental iron medication was the source of the problem. For bottle-fed babies, an experimental switch to a soybean-based formula often is recommended. In many cases, these dietary changes relieve the colic.
If the colic still persists, parents might try one of the many “home remedies” and comforting techniques developed by generations of parents of colicky babies. These remedies offer only symptomatic, temporary relief, but one of them should provide at least a few moments of quiet.
There seem to be two distinct types of colicky babies, and each responds to different soothing techniques. The first type is hypersensitive to the surrounding world, These babies have difficulty tolerating any form of stimulation or sudden motion, and even their own jerky reflexes can cause them to cry. Perhaps this type of infant cries to shut out other disturbing stimuli. These babies must be handled gently and quietly. Loud noises, crowds, bright lights, and jostling should be avoided and feeding should take place in a quiet, darkened room away from other children. Swaddling with a soft, stretchy blanket often is effective with this type of colicky baby, because it reduces stimulation from the infant’s own body movements.
The second kind of colicky baby thrives on being jostled and bounced. External stimulation – music, motion, body contact – seems to distract these babies from their internal pain. Such babies respond well when held in their parents’ arms as they dance to loud music or go up and down stairs.
The age-old colic treatment, of course, is to hold and walk with the baby. Rocking is another soothing technique used all over the world. The steady, rhythmic stimulation provided by walking and rocking seems to calm both types of babies. Unfortunately, many parents hesitate to pick their infants up when they seem to need comforting, because they fear that too much holding will spoil the baby. Most pediatricians today agree that parents should not worry about spoiling their young infants.
Parents report that the following techniques also are effective in soothing colicky babies.
- Use a front carrier. The combination of body contact, swaddling, and gentle motion it provides puts many fussy babies to sleep.
- Take the baby for a car ride, using an approved infant car seat. Almost all colicky babies respond to the vibration, noise, and movement. Alternatively, place the baby in an infant seat on top of a running dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer. Don’t leave the baby alone, because the vibrations could make the seat “travel” to the edge of the machine.
- Try a windup bed or swing, preferably one that runs for 20 minutes with each winding. This can sometimes let the family eat dinner in relative peace. Be sure the baby’s head is adequately supported.
- Let the vacuum cleaner run. Some babies respond to the noise.
- Hold the baby facedown, with your hand under the abdomen. Walk with the baby, applying gentle pressure to the abdomen.
- Lie on your back and put the baby facedown on top of you. Gently massage the baby’s back.
- Fill a hot water bottle with warm water and cover it with a soft, textured cloth. Then lay the baby down with the abdomen on the bottle.
- Take the baby out of the house. Usually, an infant’s mood will change dramatically in new surroundings, especially outdoors.
- If you can find one, play a record of a mother’s heartbeat as it is heard in the womb.
Colic in Babies, Every Parents Nightmare
Colic in Babies May Be Caused by Gut Bacteria
