Infant Colic Cure

Infant colic is the common term for a syndrome that causes significant but temporary discomfort in the weeks or months following birth. It is an unusual condition in the sense that it is generally defined by its symptoms rather than by any consistent underlying causes. Infant colic is so poorly defined that no generally effective cure for the ailment has been found. However, if your child suffers from symptoms, you may be able to ease any pain or distress.

Symptoms of Colic

• Roughly 15 to 25 percent of all babies in the U.S. experience some form of colic. Common symptoms include inconsolable crying, hiccups, spasmodic movements, grunting, groaning and food reflux, any of which can be accompanied by redness of the face, tensed abdominal muscles and bunched fists. Appearance of these symptoms, especially crying, can be predictable, with babies frequently showing increased problems in the afternoon or evening. Bouts of colic can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Possible Contributing Factors

• If you smoked before or after pregnancy, or if you gave birth through C-section, your baby's chances for colic may be elevated. However, for the most part no one knows why the condition develops. It affects boys and girls in equal numbers, as well as children who are breast-fed or bottle-fed. A breastfeeding mother's diet similarly seems to make no consistent difference.

Consultation and Possible Treatments

• Consult your doctor if you think your baby has colic. While he may not be able to offer any immediate solutions, he may be able to help you formulate ideas for relief. At the very least, your doctor should be made aware of any significant changes in your child's diet or sleep patterns. Keep note of these things and pass any information along.

  Typically, your baby's colic symptoms will begin to diminish within 3 months or so after onset. In a small number of cases, symptoms persist to age 9 months or older. Until then, there a few things you can try take to improve comfort.

  Feed your baby regularly. Sometimes it helps to give smaller meals at more frequent intervals. If you bottle feed, try to limit the amount of air your baby takes in. If you breast feed, try experimenting with your own food intake, eliminating caffeine and spicy or rich foods, or other foods that might cause gas. Breastfeeding mothers may also benefit from completely emptying one breast, since hindmilk is richer and more nourishing. Avoid overfeeding.

  During active bouts of colic, try holding your baby, perhaps while rocking gently or providing some other motion. Sometimes wrapping your baby in a blanket can help. You may also sing to your baby, or try using a pacifier. Other techniques to try include taking walks, using a stroller, belly massage, using gentle heat, playing music or using some other background noise, and changing location.

  While there are commercial products available that claim to cure colic, you should greet these claims with a healthy dose of skepticism. Even products that do work for some will not work for all, and no health claims for colic relief have been proved. The same is true for prescription medications, and you might want to educate yourself to the risks of these products as well. Consult your doctor if you have concerns.