Infantile Colic is defined as distress or crying in an otherwise healthy baby that lasts for more than 3 hours a day, 3 or more days a week, for 3 weeks or more.
Foods eaten by the mother may cause or aggravate colic in a breastfed baby. Some common triggers include gluten, refined carbohydrates, dairy, eggs, citrus fruits, bananas, onions, garlic, mushrooms, legumes, pulses, beans, cucumbers, chocolate, coffee, fizzy drinks, spicy foods and nightshades (aubergines, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers). Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussel sprouts are gas-forming foods should be avoided.
Create an environment of comfort, calm and relaxation. Keep sensory stimulation to a minimum before and during a feed. Holding or carrying the baby in a sling close to the body (skin on skin contact), has shown to relax the baby. Some babies respond well to being wrapped tightly, especially while being rocked. Don’t wrap the baby too tightly and allow the hips to be flexed. Swaddle safely and avoid overheating. Use tiny swinging movements, always supporting your baby’s head and neck. Suckling can also help. Let your baby suckle on your breast, clean finger or a pacifier.
The steady rhythm of any kind of movement (pram or car) can be soothing. Try a warm bath or a gentle baby massage. Be sure when massaging on the tummy area, to make movements in a clockwise direction (the direction of the large intestine) to relieve trapped gas, using lavender or chamomile aromatheapy oils diluted with a carrier oil.
Regular nappy changes, really focusing on burping techniques to try and get the wind out and adding a natural remedy of your choice , eg telament, progast drops or willow colic mixture, to assist in the symptomatic relief of gastrointestinal discomfort, may bring some much-needed relief. Making a shushing, or ‘shhhhh’, sound has helped many babies to calm down.
Babies born by caesarian section miss out on essential flora that transmit to the child via the vaginal canal. Ultraflora Synergy powder will improve digestion and put back the healthy microbes that are essential for the gut. Just the tip of a teaspoon daily on the tongue is all that is needed. This will also assist to improve the babies immune system.
Some babies benefit from a few sessions at the chiropracter, and babies find the treatments relaxing and soothing.
It is very distressing to not be able to console your screaming baby. Take deep calming breaths throughout and keep telling yourself that this phase will pass. Despite the distress and discomfort, babies suffering with colic are usually gaining weight, healthy in all other respects and will grow out of the colicky stage eventually.
Colic babies can affect the sanity of the entire household and are at risk of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Recognise when you can’t cope and if you feel you are at risk of losing it, stop what you are doing immediately. Give your baby to your partner or even just put her in her cot and take some time to calm down. Walk away to the next room or outside. Only return when you have regained your composure and are able to comfort your baby.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
A crying baby could be ill or have another type of pain. Speak to your doctor urgently if you baby has:
* Fever
* persistant diarrhoea or vomiting
* a high pitched cry
* unusually drowsy
*sunken or bulging fontanelle
Reference
- de Weerth C et al. Intestinal Microbiota of Infants With Colic: Development and Specific Signatures. January 2013; Pediatrics.
- natmedworld.com
