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-
 Colic
is an acute abdominal pain
probably caused by abnormal
bowel functions and wind.
What
to look for
Colic
is thought to occur when the
bowel in a baby contracts more
regularly than an adult’s
slower peristaltic movements. It
is characterized by:
-
-
loud
screaming lasting for hours,
three or more days a week
and the baby is usually
difficult to comfort.
-
Crying
for long periods after a
baby has been fed.
-
while
crying, the baby draws his
knees up over his stomach as
if he has a stomach ache.
-
bowel
movement or wind at the
beginning or end of crying
episodes
It
is very common for children to
experience colic and although
uncomfortable for the child and
exhausting for the parents it is
a relatively harmless condition
that ends after the child is 4
months old.
-
loud
screaming lasting for hours,
three or more days a week and
the baby is usually difficult to
comfort.
-
Crying
for long periods after a baby
has been fed.
-
while
crying, the baby draws his knees
up over his stomach as if he has
a stomach ache.
-
bowel
movement or wind at the
beginning or end of crying
episodes
Causes
The
cause of colic is not known. Experts
attribute it to any number of
things, including an infant's
immature digestive system, weaning
the child too early, allergies,
hormones in breast milk, and
overfeeding. It is worsened when the
baby cries as he or she takes in
extra air which can exacerbate the
problem.
Traditional
Treatment
There
is no actual cure for colic,
although you can often find relief
from many at-home remedies have
proved helpful in soothing colicky
babies. Always try to be calm and
curb your anxiousness as this can
inadvertently be communicated to
your child and it will make the
condition worse.
Do
not ever punish a child with colic.
If you feel you cannot cope, leave
someone else with the child for a
few moments while you relax calm
yourself.
If
you suspect your child has colic,
call your paediatrician. After
ruling out possible medical causes
of prolonged crying, most doctors
recommend simple remedies you can
perform at home.
Some
encourage parents to talk with other
parents for support. Give the baby
something safe to suck, this will
distract them from the pain. Also
rhythmic rocking or walking with the
baby is soothing.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Herbal
Remedies - Teas
made with herbs containing
carminative oils, which reduce
inflammation in the bowels and
lessen gas production, may help a
colicky child.
(Try
teas made of chamomile, lemon balm,
peppermint, or dill).
Homoeopathy
-
Homoeopathic
medicine offers several
over-the-counter colic remedies that
are considered safe to use without
prior consultation with a
Homoeopath. Seek help from a
professional if your child does not
respond to a remedy within 24 hours.
Aromatherapy
-
Try
massaging your child’s stomach
with chamomile or peppermint in a
clockwise direction. Never give
aromatherapy oils to children
younger than 2 weeks. (see
our section on aromatherapy).
At-Home
Remedies -
-
Be
consistent with the ways in
which you pacify the child
-
Give
your baby things to distract him
or her.
-
Motion
can relieve colic. So take them
for a walk, or drive or gently
rock them.
-
White
noise may soothe your child.
-
Wrap
the child snugly in a blanket to
provide a sense of security and
comfort.
-
Use
a warm water bottle to sooth the
pain
-
Ask
a relative or friend to take
over when you feel yourself
getting frustrated or exhausted.
When
to seek further professional advice
-
your
baby has never had colic before
-
bouts
of colic are accompanied by
fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or
constipation.
-
your
baby's crying sounds painful,
not fussy - indicating injury or
illness is causing the distress.
-
your
baby is older than three months
and still acting colicky;
behavioral problems or illness
may be the cause.
-
your
colicky child fails to gain
weight and is not hungry, which
suggests illness.
-
you're
exhausted or fear stress might
lead you to hurt your baby.
This article
is copyrighted, and used with
permission of OnLine Pharmacy,
Australia. All information on
Slumber Sounds is for educational
purposes only, and is not
medical or healthcare advice,
nor a substitute for medical and
professional services from a
qualified healthcare provider
familiar with your personal
situation. For medical advice,
including diagnosis and treatment,
consult your physician or other
healthcare provider regarding any
condition and before starting any
treatment. We supply this
information with the understanding
that Slumber Sounds is not engaged
in rendering medical services or
other professional services or
advice.
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