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Colic and Food

Colic, the term used for a newborn who cries at least three hours a day for three times a week, is hard on the entire family and causes many parents to pursue remedy after remedy to soothe baby's tears and their own nerves. No one can say for certain what causes colic, but food and drink may play a role. Most colic disappears after three months of age.

  1. Arguments Supporting a Food Link

    • Several medical studies suggest a link between a nursing mom's diet and colic, which is a theory consistent with generations of old wives' tales. One notable study that appeared in the November 2005 edition of "Pediatrics" compared two groups of nursing mothers with colicky infants. One group followed a diet that did not include cow's milk, eggs, wheat, tree nuts or fish, which are all thought to disrupt a baby's digestive track. The other group's diet included all of these items. The group that removed the potential irritants saw their baby's crying jags reduced by 25 percent.

    Arguments Against Food Link

    • Not everyone is convinced that food plays a major role in colicky babies and that parents should spend lots of time and effort making changes to mom's or baby's diet. According to "Parents," only 10 percent of colic cases have been linked to food allergies. Therefore, experimenting with formulas and denying mom foods she craves may not hold any promise of quiet, restful nights. In fact, it may actually increase the stress of caring for a colicky baby and add to mom and dad's exhaustion. Instead of focusing on food, you may be better served by exploring baby comfort techniques such as swaddling, white noise or giving baby a warm bath.

    Formula

    • Certain types of formula have been blamed in some colic cases. The proteins in cow's milk can be hard for an infant to digest and can lead to lots of gas and painful spasms. Colichelp.com recommends that, after first checking with a pediatrician to rule out other causes of an infant's pain, you switch formula brands every one to two weeks to see if it makes a difference. Brand recommendations for colicky newborns include Carnation Good Start, soy-based formulas and then hypo-allergenic brands. Keep communicating with your pediatrician during this process and update him with results.

    Breastfed Babies and Mom's Diet

    • Old wives' tales about what causes tummy troubles in breastfed babies are plentiful and include advice that mom should hold off on chocolate, spicy foods and even roast beef. What causes a breastfed non-colicky baby to have an occasional bad night of indigestion will vary from child to child. However, certain foods in a nursing mom's diet can make a real difference in a colicky baby. Cow's milk is thought to be the biggest problem for infants. Other potential irritants include strawberries, tomatoes, legumes, caffeine, onions, peanuts and chocolate, according to colichelp.com. You should carefully track your diet and your baby's behavior. For example, if baby cries for a block of time a few hours after your morning coffee, you should stop drinking caffeine for a week and note any effects.

    Herbal Remedies

    • Several herbal remedies made into tea are suggested to relieve a baby's colic, though you should always check with your pediatrician first. According to colichelp.com, you can give your baby a few ounces of herbal tea, which can help sooth her tummy. Gripewater, an over the counter baby colic herbal remedy, is another option; it includes peppermint, chamomile and ginger.

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