Medical Encyclopaedia
Check out the A to Z guide of medical conditions. Read up about the most common medical conditions, their symptoms and find out what treatment and support is available.
D
DiabetesColic
Introduction:
Colic is uncontrollable and persistent crying in a baby, apparently through pain, especially in the late afternoon or evening which has no known cause and is unrelated to more obvious reasons for pain or hunger. It is estimated that two babies in every ten get colic. Colic is more likely to start within the first month of a baby’s life and symptoms can persist until the child is four months old.
What are the symptoms of colic?
- A distinctive and insistent cry which can last for two or three hours and which starts within two to four weeks of birth
- Your baby is unable to be comforted
- Your baby may pull his or her knees up and refuse to feed
- Crying which is usually worse in the evenings after feeding
- Difficulty in passing stools
- Arching of back and clenching of fists
- Passing of wind and severe stomach rumbling
- Reddening of the face
What are the causes?
The cause of colic is not known and doctors do not know why some babies are
affected more than others, or how symptoms disappear.
Some factors may contribute tocolic:
- Immaturity of the gut – as your baby’s digestion matures they are more able
to digest things
- Bubbles of trapped wind - these may cause discomfort and pain
- Intolerance of lactose – some young babies may not be able to digest
lactose proteins very well
- The temperament of your baby – sensitive babies may be more susceptible to
changes in the environment
- Eating too much – your baby may also eat too fast or swallow too much air without burping
How is it diagnosed?
Before you visit your GP for a diagnosis of colic you should first of all eliminate other factors which could be making your baby cry. These could include:
- Hunger
- Tiredness
- Lack of contact
- Your baby being too hot or cold
- Identifiable reasons as to why they are in pain, for example nappy rash
If none of these are causing your baby to cry you should visit your GP. Your baby will be examined and they will ask you about your baby’s eating and sleeping patterns. They will also ask you about their pattern of bowel movements.
How is it treated?
There is no single medicine or proven cure for colic, but there are measures that may help. Different babies are comforted in different ways, and you may need to try a few methods to see what works.
-
Massage – gently massaging your baby’s tummy may help to ease pain
and encourage your baby to pass wind. Use circular movements from left to
right
-
Rocking – many baby’s calm down when rocked in a cradle or on your
lap
-
Diet – if you are not breastfeeding avoid foods that can cause gas
as these types of food can make your baby’s colic worse. Foods that can cause
gas include orange juice, onions and cabbage, apples and plums, spicy food and
products containing caffeine
-
Bottle teats – if you are bottle-feeding try anti-colic teats
-
Formula – if you are formula feeding ask your health visitor about
different brands, including formula for unsettled, hungry or lactose-intolerant
babies
-
Sucking – offer your baby a chance to suck on breast, bottle or
dummy as this can be comforting
-
Medication– various over-the-counter
preparations may help, such as herbal drinks, homeopathic drops, gripe water
and baby colic medication
-
'Colic dance' – gently sway with your knees bent while
hugging your baby and alternate back and forward, side to side and up and down.
Some babies are also settled by low humming noises at the same time
-
Car rides – some parents find their baby is comforted by
the movement of a car ride
-
Music – a baby can sometimes be soothed with music or monotonous
sounds
-
Hypo-allergenic formula feeding– these contain whey or casein
hydrolysate which your baby shouldn't be allergic to
- Chiropractic spinal manipulation therapyor cranial osteopathy– these may relieve symptoms by gently manipulating the bones in your baby’s head
If your baby suffers from colic it can be very distressing for family
members and you should seek the support of close family and friends.
Colic is not a serious illness and symptoms disappear by the time your child is four months old. Babies that suffer from colic develop at a normal rate and do not suffer any adverse affects from persistent crying.
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References:This article has been written for PruHealth by Dr Foster Research. All Dr Foster Research (DFR) health content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.
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