Colic – Diagnosis and Treatment
Colic, also known as infantile colic, causes babies to cry for long periods without a clear reason. It often happens in healthy infants and can be challenging for both parents and babies.
Diagnosis
During a checkup, the provider looks for reasons behind symptoms like excessive crying, vomiting, or signs of abdominal pain. The provider measures the baby’s height, weight, and head size to check for poor weight gain.
The provider listens to the baby’s heart, lungs, and belly for unusual sounds related to gas or digestive issues. They check the arms, legs, fingers, toes, eyes, ears, and genitals for signs of illness, rash, or swelling.
The provider looks for clenched fists or discomfort when touching or moving the baby. If symptoms are unusual, the provider may order lab tests, X-rays, or special scans.
- Physical Signs: Intense crying, tense body, and clenched fists
- Hidden Causes: Infections, food allergies, or psychosocial factors
- When Extra Tests Help: If pain or crying lasts longer than normal, the provider considers other conditions like gastrointestinal issues or infections.
- Weight Changes: Poor growth may indicate another problem.
Treatment
Ways to Comfort Your Baby
Caregivers can try several techniques to soothe colicky infants:
- Offer a pacifier for sucking.
- Take the baby for a car ride or walk in a stroller.
- Rock, hold, or walk with the child.
- Swaddle the newborn in a soft blanket.
- Give a gentle, warm bath.
- Provide a soft tummy rub or a light back rub when the child is lying on their tummy.
- Play quiet sounds or recordings of heartbeats.
- Use white noise, such as from a white noise machine, vacuum cleaner, or laundry dryer running in another room.
- Lower the room’s lighting and minimize visual distractions.
Some babies respond best to movement, while others prefer gentle sounds or a pacifier. Caregivers may need to try more than one strategy to find what works.
Tips for Feeding
Feeding practices can affect colic symptoms. Here are some helpful tips:
- Hold the baby upright during bottle-feeding.
- Use bottles designed to reduce air intake, such as those with curved shapes or collapsible liners.
- Pause often to burp the baby during and after feeding.
Correct feeding positions and burping can reduce swallowed air and discomfort. Slower, gentler feeding and frequent breaks may help.
Exploring Diet Changes
If soothing and feeding changes do not help, a doctor may suggest temporary diet changes.
- Switching Formula: The provider may recommend an extensively hydrolyzed formula for formula-fed babies. This type breaks down proteins, making them easier to digest.
- Adjusting the Breastfeeding Parent’s Diet: Breastfeeding parents may try removing common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and wheat. They may also avoid foods like cabbage, onions, or caffeine.
True milk allergy usually causes other symptoms, such as rash, breathing problems, or digestive issues. Parents should only make diet changes with a healthcare provider’s guidance.
Taking Care of the Parent or Caregiver
Caring for a colicky baby can be stressful and tiring. Some ways to support caregivers include:
- Take turns with a partner or ask someone for help.
- Place the baby safely in the crib for a short break if feeling overwhelmed.
- Share feelings and concerns with other adults or the child’s doctor.
- Avoid blame; high amounts of crying are not the parents’ fault.
- Eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, and sleep when the baby sleeps.
- Do not use alcohol or drugs to cope.
Parents should reach out for professional support if distress lasts.
New Ideas Being Studied
Scientists are studying new treatments for colic. One area of interest is probiotics—helpful bacteria that may improve digestive balance in infants.
Some research suggests that giving colicky babies Lactobacillus reuteri can shorten crying periods. However, results vary, and studies are small. More research is needed before doctors recommend probiotics for colic.
Alternative Approaches
Many families try alternative methods to manage colic in babies. Common remedies include herbal teas, fennel oil, sugar water, gripe water, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture.
These treatments show mixed results in small studies and need more research.
List of Common Alternative Options
| Alternative Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Herbal teas | May affect infant milk intake. |
| Fennel oil | Used in some herbal remedies. |
| Sugar water | Sometimes given for comfort. |
| Gripe water | Mix of water and herbs. |
| Massage therapy | Gentle touch for soothing. |
| Chiropractic care | Manual adjustments. |
| Acupuncture | Needles used by professionals. |
Some remedies can reduce milk consumption or cause low sodium in a baby’s blood. Herbal or homeopathic products may contain unlabeled ingredients or harmful substances. Parents should talk with their child’s healthcare provider before trying any alternative therapies.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Beforehand
Before meeting with the baby’s healthcare provider, organizing information can help the visit go smoothly.
- Track Crying Episodes: Note when your baby cries, how long each episode lasts, and any patterns.
- Document the Start: Record when the long-lasting crying began and your baby’s age at that time.
- Watch Behaviors: Write down your baby’s actions before, during, and after crying. Look for triggers.
- Feeding and Sleep: Keep a simple log of feeding times, amounts, and what your baby eats. Track sleep times and durations.
- Soothing Sttempts: List what you have tried to calm your baby and what seems to help.
- Care Circle: Make a list of everyone who helps care for your baby.
- Questions to Ask: Prepare questions or concerns about your baby’s health or growth.
Tip:
A table can help track key details.
| Date | Crying Start | Crying End | Feeding Time | Meal Type | Sleeping Time | Soothing Tried | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/20 | 8:00 am | 8:30 am | 7:30 am | Formula | 10:00 am | Swaddling | Slight relief |
| 4/21 | 10:45 am | 11:25 am | 10:30 am | Breast | 12:00 pm | Rocking | No relief |
Having these records ready helps the provider understand the situation better.
What the Medical Provider Will Want to Know
During the visit, the doctor or nurse asks questions to learn about the baby’s symptoms and background.
Common questions include:
- What does the crying episode look and sound like?
- Does your baby’s body get stiff or tense during crying?
- How often do the crying episodes happen, and how long do they last?
- Are the episodes happening at certain times of day or after certain activities?
- What methods have you tried to help calm your baby? Did anything work better than the rest?
- Has your baby had trouble eating or keeping food down?
- Does the crying start after feeding?
- What kind of food is the baby eating? How often and how much?
- How often does your baby spit up?
- How long does your baby sleep between feedings? Have there been changes in sleep patterns?
- Does your baby seem to have trouble breathing, even for a moment, when crying?
- How do you and others who care for the baby handle long crying spells?
The provider uses this information to decide if the crying is part of colic or if another cause is likely. The answers also help the provider give advice for managing the crying and supporting the family.
It’s normal to forget things during a visit, so bring your notes. Ask for clarification or repeat information if you are unsure.
