Colic In Infants: Causes, Symptoms & Home Remedies

Being a new parent comes with a whole lot of challenges, from surviving sleepless nights to juggling new responsibilities. What gets you through is the indescribable joy that you feel when you hold your little one close and hear their soft cooing. Unfortunately, as a new parent, you must also grapple with one of the worst experiences of parenthood — seeing your newborn baby sick. Newborns are still developing their immune systems and are vulnerable to a range of infections, so it’s important to understand common newborn illnesses and what you can do to comfort and care for your baby. One of the most common conditions in newborns is colic, which affects up to 40% of infants worldwide. So, here’s everything you need to know about colic in infants.

Newborn colic symptoms: How to recognise colic in infants

It can be hard to identify illnesses in infants based solely on crying and fussing, as this is a normal means of communicating for them during the early months. However, excessive crying is a clear sign of distress, and if you notice that your baby’s crying lasts for over three hours a day, you could be dealing with colic. Typically, this type of crying will last for at least a couple of weeks and would occur on several days during the week, but it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible to make sure it’s diagnosed and treated appropriately. Other newborn colic symptoms that you may notice include:

• Incessant loud crying as if in pain
• Crying that does not resolve with feeding, diaper changes, or contact
• Belly bloating and hardness, possibly with the passing of gas
• Arching of the back, legs pulled upwards and clenched fists
• Grimacing, frowning, and other facial expressions that indicate pain
• Red or flushed facial skin, especially after crying
• Fussiness or irritability, even when not crying, significantly causing parent discomfort.

Colic causes in infants: Understanding the triggers

Colic causes in infants are still not clearly understood, as there are various factors that influence its development, and in many cases, a cause is never identified. However, researchers have put forward several theories, based on existing evidence.

• Food allergy or intolerance — In some cases of colic in infants, it was noted that the mothers had consumed foods such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onion, and cow’s milk recently. When breastfeeding, your diet directly influences milk nutrition and quality, as these foods are known to trigger gas production and buildup.
• Immature digestive system — The entire gastrointestinal and digestive system is still developing and cannot break down and use food efficiently, so babies can develop colic. This also includes a still-developing gut microbiome that as yet lacks healthy gut bacteria and diversity.
• Improper feeding — Both overfeeding and underfeeding can cause problems that manifest as colic in infants.
• Sensory overload — Some babies may simply be more sensitive to stimulation and don’t know how to deal with feelings of fullness or gas. The ability to self-soothe only develops by three months, which could explain why colic resolves by this time.
• Maternal medications — The use of any medication, including caffeine products, passes through breast milk and can trigger symptoms of colic, such as crying and irritability, as their bodies cannot process and eliminate such substances.also maternal smoking

Colic treatment newborn: Medical and home approaches

There is no recommended medical treatment for colic, as it resolves naturally and is not a typical disease with a specific cause. However, home treatment approaches can help provide relief without posing any risk of side effects, with maternal dietary modifications shown to be most effective.

For breastfed babies

Maintain a food journal and keep track of everything you eat so that you can identify food triggers more precisely. You can also try an elimination diet. Common triggers in maternal diets include cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, caffeine, cow-milk products, nuts, chocolate, and onions. If you are on any medications or supplements, inform your doctor about them.

For formula-fed babies

Discuss alternative formula options with your doctor, as some infants have food sensitivities to specific proteins in the formula. In addition to switching products, it would also be a good idea to reduce the amount of formula, instead opting for smaller and more frequent meals.

Infant colic relief: Soothing techniques for parents

Although there is no cure for colic and it resolves without any intervention, parents are advised to use soothing techniques for infant colic relief. This will make the entire experience easier for both you and your baby. Some soothing techniques include:

• Establish strict feeding and activity routines to build consistency and reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.
• React swiftly to symptoms of distress, like crying, to avoid escalation.
• Carry or walk around with your baby and consider using an infant swing.
• Swaddling can also help soothe your baby, but make sure it’s not too tight and leaves enough room for the legs to move.
• Soft music, white noise, and dim lighting can also help some babies who may find sudden sounds and bright lights stimulating.
• Try giving your baby a warm bath and gently massaging the belly.
• Consider using a pacifier with your doctor’s approval, as there are both benefits and risks involved. Concentric massage movements around the navel, bicycle movements of the legs help in the release of formed gaseous particles and helps in easing the tummy - proven method.

Summary & key takeaways for parents

The feeling of helplessness can be agonising when caring for an infant with colic, but you can find comfort in knowing that colic is non-threatening and temporary, resolving on its own by the time babies reach three months of age. Until then, the best that you can do is to be there for your baby with a watchful eye, offering comfort and reassurance while working closely with your paediatrician. If even after trying the home remedies , if it is not effective or the child is not in comfort - the pediatricians can provide few symptomatic relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the typical symptoms of colic in newborns?

Typical symptoms include incessant loud crying that doesn’t stop with feeding or comfort, belly bloating or hardness, arching of the back, clenched fists, grimacing, and general fussiness.

2. What causes colic?

Colic causes aren’t fully understood but may include food allergy or intolerance, an immature digestive system and gut microbiome, improper feeding, sensory overload, or maternal medication use.

3. How is colic treated?

There is no specific medical treatment for colic as the causes are multi-factorial, and it usually resolves on its own. Home approaches like maternal dietary modifications or alternative formulas approved by your paediatrician, along with soothing techniques, are recommended. Sometimes, pediatricians do prescribe few approved symptomatic medications and probiotics, after thorough evaluation and history.