Published: 28/05/2010 by The Moomie Blog and Forum

Colic is one ailment that seems rather nasty for a little baby. Your newborn is so very delicate - what an introduction to this world! (Not to mention, a troubling introduction to parenthood as well!) For parents the world over, colic means staying awake till all hours trying desperately to console a seemingly inconsolable baby. The good news is that there are a few simple ways to help soothe your infant’s crying and discomfort.

Colic in a new baby usually begins between 0 and 3 months and is often the first of many heart-breaking moments experienced by new parents, who may be left feeling utterly helpless at the sight of their precious little one crying in discomfort and pain. While not all infants get it and we are unsure what causes it, colic is a fairly common problem experienced in the first few months of life.

While it can be a terribly frustrating time for you and baby – just remember that colic is a stage that will eventually pass. In just a few weeks, you can be assured that your baby will be happier and sleeping better – as will you!

Colic is usually recognized when your well-fed, healthy and otherwise satisfied infant won’t stop crying. You’ve changed and checked and re-checked diapers, offered milk, burped and cuddled your baby and still the crying continues for no evident reason at all. While all babies cry (as it is their only means of communication), babies with colic cry much more than usual, and when they cry it seems that little can console them. Colic is usually diagnosed or confirmed if your baby cries more than three hours each day over a period of three weeks or more and no other cause is found. You may also notice that it tends to get worse at certain times of the day (most commonly during the evenings or at night) and that these episodes can last anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours. Babies with colic also tend to clench their little firsts, pull up their legs, tighten their abdominal muscles and squirm into different positions to try and relieve the cramps.


Your baby’s paediatrician will check for other causes of discomfort such as intestinal obstruction, or other illnesses and if nothing is found, colic is often the diagnosis. Other tests are generally not necessary, as colic, while distressing for baby and family, is not serious and not associated with other complications.

Caring for a colicky baby is no easy task and it tends to bring up a lot of emotion, especially for new parents or parents of babies whose colic is particularly bad or ongoing. The important thing to remember is that you are not doing anything wrong, and colic is just one of those things that happen. It is also essential to ask for help if you need it!

The DO’S and DON’TS of Handling Colic:

Do:

*Consider eliminating milk products, eggs, wheat, nuts and berries from your diet if you are breastfeeding as this can provide some relief from colic. You can also restrict very acidic foods, spicy foods and caffeine and keep your diet fairly bland. It’s also a good idea to start a food diary and begin by eliminating all problem foods. You can then slowly start to re-introduce them into your diet while noting baby’s colic reaction.

*Drink herbal teas such as chamomile, vervain and lemon balm instead of your usual tea or coffee as these have a soothing effect on both mother and breastfed baby.

*Make sure that your baby is not swallowing air while feeding as this can result in wind and increases discomfort

*Try experiment with a few simple feeding changes and see if you notice any changes:

1. Try feeding your baby more frequent smaller feeds every 2-3 hours.

2. If your baby is bottle fed ensure that the nipple size and shape is correct for your baby’s age.

3. If your baby takes less than 20 minutes to complete a feed, you may need to swap over to a smaller bottle nipple.

4. Talk to your paediatrician about changing to a hypoallergenic formula.

5. While feeding, always ensure that your baby is in a diagonal position with her head higher than her feet.

6. Always burp baby frequently. This can be done every 10min of breastfeeding and every 30 to 60ml of bottle-feeding.

Don’t:

*Don’t stop breastfeeding. Colic is equally likely to occur in both breastfed and bottle-fed babies.

*Don’t switch and swap your baby’s formula brand. If you are considering changing to a new brand, speak to your paediatrician first.

*Don’t hesitate to call your paediatrician if you are concerned. In some cases where colic is assumed, it turns out there were other medical reasons for the crying such as an ear infection or food allergy that may need to be dealt with.

*Don’t wait until you have reached the point of desperation before asking someone for help. Accept babysitting offers and look after yourself. If ever you feel like hurting or shaking your baby, simply put him in a safe place (e.g. the crib) and leave the room for a few minutes while you gather your composure – then call someone to relieve you of baby duty for an hour or two.

A holistic approach to coping with colic

Colic Calmer is a homeopathic remedy that naturally relieves symptoms of infant colic and promotes sleep. Containing Chamomilla and Mag. Phos. this remedy provides natural relief from gas and bothersome colic-related fretfulness, soothing tiny tummies and promoting peaceful sleep. Best of all, the gentle formulation is safe – even for newborn infants, helping your baby (and you!) rest peacefully after mealtimes.