Colic - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What is colic in babies? It is when a baby cries a lot but there is no obvious reason why. So, what is the main cause of colic? You might have a lot of questions about the causes, like can breast milk cause colic? There are a couple of things that can cause colic, meaning that there is not one straight answer.
The two main types are renal colic and biliary colic. Biliary colic symptoms differ slightly from renal symptoms.
What age is the worst for colic? The symptoms typically start when your baby is a few weeks old and it stops around 3 to 4 months.
There are things you can look out for in your baby. Noticing the way they act when they are crying or paying close attention to their bowel movements can help you identify colic, but what does colic poop look like? Or is it something else that is causing your child to be so distressed?
It is defined by the 3 3 3 rule. What is the 3 3 3 rule for colic and where does it come from?
You might have a lot of questions about colic, especially when it comes to helping your little one get rid of colic. There are things like colic drops and anti-colic bottles that could help. You might be left wondering whether overfeeding makes colic worse?
Your baby’s colic might be worse at certain times of the day, in particular at night, but why is colic worse at night? This guide will talk you through everything you need to know to help you deal with it.
Symptoms
The symptoms can look different in all babies. They may include:
- Intense crying that is close to screaming or an expression of pain
- Crying for no reason unlike when your baby is hungry or needs a nappy changing
- Intense fussiness, even after the crying has stopped
- Episodes of crying happening at the same time, particularly at night
- Flushing and blushing of the skin
- Body tension that includes stiff arms and legs, clenched fists, an arched back or abdomen
The types of colic
Renal colic
Renal colic is when your baby has a blockage in part of their urinary tract. The most common obstructions are a kidney stone, a bladder stone and ureteral stone.
Biliary colic
Biliary colic is caused by a blockage in one of the ducts in the biliary tree, located in the abdominal cavity. The most common type of obstruction is a gallstone. This is usually accompanied by abdominal pain.
There is no reason why it would come back over time. If your baby has outgrown it and you notice that their symptoms seem to return this could be down to another medical condition or discomfort.
Causes
The main cause of is usually down to digestion problems. Babies who are lactose intolerant or have food allergies might struggle with it.
It can also be down to an ingredient in the formula when you feed your baby. It could also be something that a nursing mum is eating themselves; that is why it is important to ensure you are getting the correct nutrients.
Can breastfeeding cause colic?
Breastfeeding could be a culprit. If the milk comes out of your breasts quickly and forcefully, your baby might have to gulp to keep up with it.
Gulping can cause your baby to swallow a lot of air. Swallowed air can cause discomfort to your little one.
Does overfeeding make colic worse?
When your baby is fed too much, again, they might swallow excess air. The excess air that they are swallowing can increase the discomfort in their stomach, leading to crying.
Crying due to discomfort is not colic, however, it can make a colicky baby experience crying episodes more intensely and frequently.
What foods and drinks aggravate colic?
In breastfed babies, the mother’s diet can play a huge role. Particular foods eaten by a breastfeeding mother can cause symptoms of allergy and intolerance.
Common foods to watch out for include:
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Cows milk
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
Diagnosis
Your baby’s healthcare provider can diagnose your little one. They will do a variety of tests that can identify why your baby is distressed.
They will do a complete physical exam which includes:
- Measuring their height, weight and head circumference
- Checking their heart, lungs and abdomen
- An assessment of their toes, fingertips, limbs, eyes, ears and genitals
- Examining their reaction to touch or movement
- Looking for signs of inflammation, rashes or any other infections
The 3 3 3 rule
The 3 3 3 rule is when your baby is crying for over 3 hours a day, for more than 3 days a week, for over 3 weeks. Healthcare providers usually refer to the rule of 3 to define colic.
Treatment
There is no set way to treat colic, but the main goal is to soothe your baby. You might need to experiment with soothing strategies to find one that works for your little one.
Some soothing strategies may work better than others. In some circumstances, one soothing strategy may work at one time but not at another.
Babies find the motion of sucking soothing. Using a dummy might help your baby, especially if feedings don’t seem to be satisfying them. Keep reading to discover other things you can do to ease your baby’s the symptoms.
Hold your baby upright during feeds
You should hold your baby in an upright position. You can use a curved bottle to help with upright feeding.
When you put your baby in an upright position this may help to relieve colic as the upright position stops them from swallowing air
Wind your baby before, during and after feeds
You should burp your baby when you are feeding them. Some babies need more help than others to pass wind.
Burping your baby can help to relieve any discomfort that they might be experiencing.
Gently rock your baby in their Moses basket or crib, or push them in their pram
Some babies are calmed by a gentle swing. It can be soothing for your little one to be gently rocked in their crib.
If you find that rocking isn’t helping you could head outside for a stroll with them in their pram. Your baby will then be able to get used to the outdoors and new surroundings.
