Infantile
Colic
 Colic
is fairly common and it affects 15-40% of babies from the
second week of life and subsides when they are
3-4 months old.
It presents as recurrent inconsolable fits
of crying for at least three hours a day, three days a week
and for at least three weeks (Garrison & Christakis
2000).
The cause of infantile colic is unknown but is thought to
be caused by multiple factors:
-
There may be a temporary intolerance to lactose or cow’s
milk protein or both.
-
Another
possible reason is that there is a build up of air in
the intestines and this causes the gut to go into painful
spasm. The baby cries and the intake of air from the crying
is also thought to make the problem worse. Sometimes gurgling
of gas can be heard within the abdomen.
-
Parental anxiety has also been mentioned as a possible
cause .
-
Maternal
smoking during pregnancy is mentioned in some studies.
-
Infantile
colic is found in both breast fed and bottle-fed babies.
When
does it start?
Typical infantile colic starts in the first few weeks after
birth and disappears by the time the baby is three to four
months old. It starts in the early evening and the baby
has a high pitched cry,
flushed face, drawing up of the knees and abdominal distension.
The baby may pass wind and have difficulty with bowl movements.
Infantile colic can be a very distressing experience for
parents but
it is time-limiting and babies grow out of it by 3-4 months
and come to no harm.
What
is the best treatment?
There is no one effective treatment but the following suggestions
may be of benefit depending on the severity of the crying
and the colic:
-
A physical examination by the Doctor to rule out other
causes for crying such as
-
Acute
intestinal conditions such as hernia
-
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
-
Adequate weight gain will rule out hunger
- Symptoms
not associated with colic are: raised temperature, vomiting
and diarrhoea
- A
change in feeding technique might help breast or bottle-fed
babies.
- Making
sure that in breast feeding the baby is latched on properly.
Requesting help from a Health Visitor to observe a feed
may be helpful.
- In
bottle-fed babies the bottle should be tipped up sufficiently
so that the teat is full of milk to prevent the baby sucking
air.
- Sitting
the baby upright while feeding and winding frequently may
help
- Changing
the milk in bottle fed babies may help. Hypoallergenic Milk
Formulas are available by prescription on the NHS By your
GP. There are two kinds
- Casein
based milk formula: Nutramigen1 and Pregestimil
- Whey
based milk formula: Pepti & Pepti Junior
- Soya
based infant milks are not recommended for infants under
six months. This is because they have a high phytoestrogen
content which may pose a risk to future fertility and sexual
development.
- For
breast feeding mothers it is not recommended to eliminate
dairy products from the diet unless under the supervision
of a dietician.
- Fennel
and peppermint teas taken by the mother are sometimes effective
in breast fed babies
- Sometimes
the use of anti-flatulent's can help. There are several
suitable products available over the counter e.g. Infracol.
They act by reducing the surface tension of bubbles in the
stomach, which help to dissipate them so that they are more
easily expelled.
- Gripe
water has been used for generations. Gripe water contains
sodium bicarbonate, sugar and sometimes dill or spearmint
oil
- Homeopathy
offers a product called Colocynth. Follow the instructions
on the bottle and give your chosen remedy 4-7 days to work.
- Baby
massage may help some babies. Health Visitors will know
about Baby Massage classes in the area
- Sometimes
rocking the baby in the cradle helps
- Carrying
the baby in a sling may also help
- Swaddling
may have a successful outcome for some babies
- Babies
can sometimes be soothed by music a baby soother tape ‘Sound
Sleep for Babies’ by Dr Elizabeth Scott from www.crs-records.com
is worth a try.
- Support
from Health Visitors has also proved effective in helping
parents to cope during the weeks of colic
- Support
from Family and friends is also effective in giving the
mother ‘time out’
- CRY-SIS
– a support group for families with children who cry
excessively is a useful contact. The help line is open every
day from 9-10pm Tel: 020 7404 5011
Frances
Byatt-Smith - Health Visitor
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