Colic
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1. What is colic: Your child is less than four months old and has severe crying at bedtime? Infant colic is defined by these three criteria: baby cries more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than a week.
If you recognise this behaviour in your baby, follow some simple tips to help get them through the discomfort.
2. Symptoms of colic: As we have mentioned above, the main symptom of infant colic is intense, long crying attacks that occur mainly in the evening. These crying attacks are the expression of abdominal pain that can have several causes.
Indeed, before four months, the intestinal flora of your child as well as their digestion are being put in place. If there is a disturbance of the intestinal flora or their intestines contract strongly, your child can feel very painful cramps, even if they are normal and benign. Baby can have very painful intestinal gas if they swallow a lot of air during feeding.
Scientists explain that colic is more significant in the evening because the baby needs more reassurance and calm at bedtime. Their little anxieties reinforce the discomfort they feel.
3. Colic treatment: The first thing to do is to help your child relax. Rock them, calmly massage their belly, reassure them. The more comfortable your baby feels, the more their colic will subside. You can also put a hot water bottle on their stomach, making sure it is not too hot.
If your child has trouble digesting, try feeding them with smaller amounts and more often so as not to overload their intestines. If you are breastfeeding, try to adapt your diet and avoid all foods that cause gas (dairy products, cabbage, fizzy drinks). After your child's feed, hold them vertically for at least 30 minutes and make sure they are burped.
Fennel tea, unsweetened and warm, can also facilitate digestion. If despite all your efforts colic persists, consult a pediatrician. They alone can see if your child is suffering from other ailments and can advise you for the precautions to follow and the possible treatments.
