Colic most often appears between 4 and 6 weeks of age. The attack always looks the same. After afternoon or evening feedings, the baby, so far calm, suddenly starts crying desperately. He has a flushed face, shrunken legs, and a hard, bloated belly. Sometimes, during a particularly severe attack of colic, he loudly gives off gases, downpours, and even vomits.

Infant colic worries every mother. A colic attack is manifested by crying. The scream may last for a few minutes or several hours, then it ceases as suddenly as it started - the baby calms down and goes to sleep.

And the next day everything starts all over again. It happens that the attacks of pain disappear after a few days, but in some children they may last up to 6 months of age.

Colic - causes

So far, doctors have not yet discovered the causes of colic, so don't blame yourself. Breastfeeding mom's dietary mistakes are just one of the reasons. Among the causes of pain attacks, immaturity of the baby's digestive tract and nervous system are mentioned in the first place.

Colic can also cause babies to swallow excessive amounts of air (e.g. when eating or crying) and build up gas that stretches their intestines.

Another reason may be an allergy to cow protein, contained in the mixture or consumed by a nursing mother, or a deficiency of lactase (an enzyme digesting milk sugar, found in both breast milk and artificial food).

There is also a theory that the mum's bad mood is responsible for colic in babies - the baby then becomes nervous himself, which makes it less digestible.

Finally, the cause of colic may be the excess of stimuli that the baby receives throughout the day.

Colic - calmness is the best medicine

One thing's for sure - whatever the causes of your colic, you need to stay calm. Your nervousness will make your little one cry even louder. When the attack starts, hug the baby, carry him in your arms and try to cuddle him.

Important

We are talking about spikes when:

  • the crying starts suddenly and is extremely loud
  • the toddler has a tight belly, flexes, curls his legs
  • hugging the baby only helps for a moment, then the baby cries again.

This is not a colic if:

  • the child grunts first, and thenthen she starts crying
  • the belly is tight only when crying, and between bouts it is soft
  • the baby calms down after hugging.

There are several ways to relieve pain. However, something different works for each toddler, so it may happen that you have to try each of the methods.

  • Warm the tummy with a warm towel, iron-pressed diaper, a small hot water bottle or a cold-hot wrap available at the pharmacy (such compresses are put on the clothes). Some little ones find some relief from a warm bath.
  • Carry your baby so that his head is higher than the rest of his body and the tummy is snug against your forearm - this position helps to evacuate gases. If you have a rocking chair, sit in it with your baby on your forearm and rock slowly.
  • Put the baby on you so that its belly touches your belly. In this position, the child often manages to get rid of gas, besides, the baby calms down, feeling the parent's warmth. Gently massage your baby on the back to help expel gas.
  • Give your toddler a tummy massage. At first, the movements should be gentle, clockwise. Then massage your tummy alternately with your left and right hands. Make circular movements with the left, and make a semicircle on the right - from the outside to the center of the belly.
  • Give your baby the colic-relieving formula. Over-the-counter products include: carminative and diastolic preparations based on fennel and chamomile. If the baby has had colic attacks before, you can use such preparations prophylactically to prevent its recurrence. If you are breastfeeding, it is worth drinking anti-colic tea - its ingredients will pass into the milk. Then, however, do not give your child any preparation without consulting a doctor. You should also visit a pediatrician when bouts of colic recur for more than 3-4 days.

Prevention is important with spikes

Colic attacks can be prevented. The most important recommendation is the correct feeding technique. Before feeding, lay the baby on its tummy to let the gases escape. If you are breastfeeding, do not eat too much dairy products and vegetables that cause gas, such as cauliflower. Before each feed, relax. Remember that the baby can suckle the breast for up to an hour, so turn off the washing machine or take the lunch off the gas earlier, so that you do not have to stop feeding, because the baby may start crying and gulping down air. When feeding, make pauses to reflect the swallowed air. If you are formula feeding, purchase an anti-colic bottle. It is profiled so that air does not get into the baby's mouth, and the nipple has special air vents that let intobottles only the amount of air that is necessary for the baby to suckle safely. It may also be necessary to change the mixture to one with a composition adapted to the immature digestive system of the child - but this decision can only be made by a pediatrician.

"M jak mama" monthly

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Child's he alth