У младенца колики что делать: что делать, чтобы у грудничка не было колик

Девочки хорошая статья про колики — пишет Екатерина на BabyBlogКолики у новорожденного — распространенная причина плача и беспокойства у детей первых месяцев жизни. Колики у новорожденного чаще всего являются проявлением адаптации желудочно-кишечного тракта малыша к самостоятельному питанию.
Колики — боли в животе, которые у маленьких детей проявляются беспокойством, внезапным громким плачем, отказом от еды. Колики появляются после третьей неделе жизни, проходят к концу третьего-четвертого месяца жизни.

При коликах живот вздут, напряжен, малыш может сгибать и разгибать ножки, так он пытается облегчить свое состояние. Заметное облегчение наступает после отхождения стула и газов.

Приступы колик появляются во время кормления, через несколько минут после еды, чаще всего вечером. При этом колики могут продолжаться от нескольких минут до нескольких часов.
Колики у новорожденного возникают в результате незрелости центральной и периферической нервной регуляции кишечника, незрелости веществ, которые участвуют в переваривании пищи, нарушении развития микрофлоры кишечника, эти факторы приводят к неполному расщеплению жиров и углеводов молока и избыточному газообразованию в кишечнике малыша.

Причины колик у новорожденного.

Боль при коликах у новорожденного возникает в результате: избыточного накопления газов в кишечнике, при заглатывании воздуха при кормлении, в результате перекорма, запоров, лактазной недостаточности.
Также в результате грудного вскармливания может быть нарушена техника прикладывания к груди, питание кормящей матери.

Неправильный захват соска малышом, жадные сосания приводят к тому, что ребенок заглатывает воздух во время кормления, развивается аэрофагия.
Если кормящая мама употребляет продукты, способствующие брожению в кишечнике, то это приведет к избыточному газообразованию у ребенка.

Если мама перекармливает ребенка, то это увеличивает нагрузку на кишечник ребенка, приводит к неполному расщеплению продуктов и развитию запоров. Скопление газов, метеоризм — результат перекорма ребенка, впоследствии появляются кишечные колики.

Недоношенные дети страдают от лактазной недостаточности, у таких детей в кишечнике снижена выработка лактозы — фермента, который перерабатывает молочный сахар лактозу. Неполное расщепление молочного сахара приводит к брожению и бурному выделению газов. Лактазная недостаточность — результат незрелости желудочно-кишечного тракта. Ребенок растет и происходит улучшение переваривания и усвоения молочного сахара, который необходим малышу для правильного роста и развития.

Нарушения в развитии микрофлоры кишечника также приводят к неполному расщеплению пищевых веществ, образованию газов и возникновению кишечных колик. Лактобактерии, бифидобактерии, кишечная палочка способны образовывать ферменты, которые улучшают переваривание пищи и ускоряют её всасывание. Полезная микрофлора кишечника также влияет на своевременное опорожнение кишечника, она оберегает от аллергических реакций и запоров.

Дети, которые находятся на грудном вскармливании, имеют в кишечнике бифидобактерии, которые помогают организму переварить пищу. Дети на искусственном вскармливании имеют в кишечнике лактобактерии и микробы, если происходит снижение иммунитета, то количество микробов увеличивается, если это количество превышает допустимое, то начинаются гнилостные процессы в кишечнике, которые вызывают повышенное газообразование, колики и запоры. Только с молоком матери малыш получает бифидогенные факторы, способствующих росту и развитию бифидобактерий. У недоношенных детей кишечные колики носят затяжной характер и продолжаются дольше, чем у доношенных, проходя только на 5-6 месяц жизни.

В большинстве случаев кишечные колики у младенцев имеют временный характер и связаны с функциональной незрелостью органов и систем. Колики способны привести к нарушениям сна, питания ребенка, они оказывают влияние на его психомоторное и физическое развитие.

Колики у новорожденных — как облегчить страдания?

Если вы заметили, что у вашего малыша начались колики, то вы можете выполнить простые и доступные действия: нужно в первую очередь взять малыша на руки, создать ему удобное положение, облегчить отхождение газов из кишечника — положить его на животик, расположив его на животе матери.

Далее положить или подложить под животик ребенка пеленку, которая была согрета утюгом, сделайте массаж живота, проделайте упражнение «велосипед», при этом прижимайте согнутые ножки крохи к животику. Если крохе не помогли вышенаписанные рекомендации, то нужно воспользоваться газоотводной трубкой или клизмой, которые облегчать отхождение газов и стула.

Колики у новорожденного — газоотводная трубка.

Кончик прокипяченной газоотводной трубки смазать вазелином или растительным маслом. Положить малыша на спину, согнуть его ножки, прижать ножки к животу. Слегка поворачивая трубочку, нужно ввести её в прямую кишку, оставить на несколько минут. Для облегчения отхождения газов можно поглаживать животик малыша по часовой стрелке.

Колики у новорожденного — клизма.

Колики могут быть очень сильными, тяжело переноситься малышом, облегчить отхождение газов можно, использовав клизму. Прокипятить клизму-грушу, заполнить её теплой кипяченой водой.

Ребенка нужно положить на бок, ножки согнуть и привести к животику, осторожно ввести кончик клизмы в прямую кишку на глубину 3-5 см, после чего сжать грушу. Нужно сомкнуть ягодицы малыша, осторожно вытянуть кончик клизмы и поддержать кроху в таком положении какое-то время. Очистительная клизма новорожденному делается с 25-30 мл воды, грудному ребенку — 60-150 мл.

Газоотводную трубку или клизму следует применять не каждый раз при проблемах с кишечником, а только после того, как предыдущие методы не помогли, нужно не дерегулировать собственный механизм опорожнения кишечника крохи.

Колики у новорожденного — применение лекарственных препаратов.

Для того чтобы облегчить отхождение газов у новорожденных при коликах допустимо введение свечи с глицином. Однако использовать свечи можно не часто, экстренно, длительное применение свечей может не только вызвать раздражение слизистой кишки, но помешать восстановлению самостоятельного стула.

Врач также может прописать следующие препараты: эспумизан, саб симплекс, бейби калм, плантекс. Эти медицинские препараты способствуют улучшению отхождения газов
Колики могут сохраняться до 3-4 месяцев, прием препаратов может быть эпизодическим для снятия болей, так и профилактическим.

Прежде, чем давать данные препараты ребенку, нужно посоветоваться с врачом. Саб симплекс обычно назначают по 10-15 капель во время каждого кормления. Эспумизан детям грудного и раннего возраста назначают по 1 ч. ложке эмульсии 2-3 раза в сутки.
Бейби калм содержит смесь натуральных масел аниса, мяты и кропа, это препарат, созданный на растительной основе. Концентрат масел разводится водой прямо во флакончике до определенной отметки и дается малышу по 10 капель перед каждым кормлением. Бейби калм оснащен пипеткой-дозатором, что позволяет отмерить необходимое количество капель.

Если колики очень сильные, то педиатры обычно назначают спазмолитики (но-шпа, папаверин и др.). Если у малыша дисбактериоз, то обычно назначают препараты пре- и пробиотики (Бифидумбактерин, линекс, примадофилус и др.). Предварительно нужно будет сдать анализы.

Плантекс содержит плоды фенхеля и его масло, которые стимулируют пищеварение, пища быстрее расцепляется и всасывается. Активные вещества фенхеля способствует более легкому отхождению газов, предупреждают дальнейшее скопление газов. Плантекс можно применять не только для лечения, но и для профилактики кишечных колик у детей. Однако этот препарат очень осторожно следует применять у детей с лактозной недостаточностью, так как он содержит лактозу. Врачи обычно назначают плантекс по 1 пакетику в сутки для малышей в возрасте 1 месяца, а после 23 месяцев по 2 пакетика в сутки.

Если назначенные мероприятия не дали положительных результатов или же появились запоры, жидкий стул, рвота, срыгивания, нарушения прибавки массы тела, то необходимо провести углубленное обследование для выявления причин возникших нарушений с последующим подбором терапии.

Колики у новорожденного — профилактика.

С первых минут жизни ребенка нужно обеспечить грудным молоком, которое наиболее сбалансировано, легкоперевариваемое и полезно по сравнению с искусственным вскармливанием. Грудное молоко содержит вещества, облегчающие его переваривание, вещества, необходимые для становления и развития полезной микрофлоры кишечника, правильной моторной функции кишечника.

При грудном вскармливании важно правильно прикладывать к груди, малыш должен правильно захватывать не только сосок, но и ареолы (кружок молочной железы вокруг соска). В первые недели жизни ребенок должен сосать грудь до полного насыщения, пока не отпустит сам, при хорошей лактации нет необходимости строго через определенное время прекращать кормление или давать другую грудь.

При кормлении с бутылочки нужно выбрать такую, которая была бы оснащена клапаном, предотвращающим заглатывание малышом воздуха во время кормления.

Также после кормления рекомендуется поддержать ребенка в вертикальном положении в течение нескольких минут для отхождения заглоченного во время кормления воздуха.
Перед кормлением нужно класть ребенка на живот на несколько минут, что облегчит отхождение газов.

Колики у новорожденного — реакция организма малыша к новым условиям существования, создайте комфортные условия для более легкой адаптации крохи в виде организации правильного питания, режима дня, спокойной обстановке в семье. (с) vitapower.ru

90000 Colic in babies: Timeline, remedies, and coping tips 90001 90002 What is colic? 90003 90004 Colic is uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. Your baby is considered colicky if he’s younger than 5 months old and cries for more than three hours in a row, three or more days a week, for at least three weeks running (phew!). 90005 90004 Colic is not a disease and will not cause your baby any long-term harm, but it’s often a very tough thing for babies and their parents to go through.90005 90004 About one out of five babies develop colic, usually when they’re between 2 and 3 weeks old (or two or three weeks after their due date if they were born premature). 90005 90002 What are the symptoms of colic? 90003 90004 Babies normally cry when they’re wet, hungry, frightened, or tired, but if your baby shows the following signs, she may have colic. 90005 90014 90015 Excessive crying, often at the same time of day (usually in the late afternoon or evening) 90016 90015 Cries that are louder and higher-pitched than normal.Your baby may sound like she’s in pain. 90016 90015 Inconsolableness, despite your efforts to soothe 90016 90015 Crying episodes that start and end suddenly 90016 90015 Signs of tummy trouble: Babies suffering from a gassy tummy or other gastrointestinal problems can become very upset. To make matters worse, a baby with colic often swallows air when she cries, contributing to the gas problem. 90016 90025 90004 You may notice that your colicky baby clenches her fingers, arches her back, becomes flushed, and alternately extends or pulls up her legs and passes gas as she cries.Her face might be flushed and her belly distended. She may seem to feel better after passing gas or having a bowel movement. 90005 90002 How long does colic last? 90003 90004 Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Colic tends to peak around 6 weeks, and then improves significantly between 3 and 4 months. By 4 months of age, 80 to 90 percent of infants are over colic. The remaining small percentage might take another month. 90005 90004 Yes, that’s a long tunnel. But in the meantime, learn how to comfort your baby as best you can and ask for help whenever you need it.Caring for a colicky baby can be very stressful, and you will need to take regular breaks to maintain your own well-being. Have your partner or a friend or relative take over while you go for a walk, take a nap, or let loose with a good cry yourself. 90005 90002 What causes colic? 90003 90004 Colic is one of the great mysteries of baby life. The condition is equally common among firstborn and later-born babies; boys and girls; and breastfed and formula-fed infants. No one knows why some babies are more prone to it than others, but theories abound.And there may well be more than one cause. The possibilities include: 90005 90014 90015 90040 Smoking 90041. We do know that babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy or postpartum are at increased risk of colic (although this risk is reduced if the baby is breastfed). 90016 90015 90040 Sensitivity 90041. Some experts believe that long bouts of colicky crying are a physical release for sensitive babies. By the time evening rolls around, they say, these babies just can not handle any more sights, sounds, or sensations, and so they become distraught and cry.90016 90015 90040 Tummy problems 90041. Other experts think that gastrointestinal factors (a gassy tummy, under- or overfeeding, or an immature digestive system) can play a role in colic symptoms. 90016 90025 90004 You can help make your baby more comfortable by making sure he is not swallowing too much air while nursing or bottle-feeding. That means keeping him upright during feedings; burping him adequately; and making sure he has a good latch or the right bottle. 90005 90004 Two to 3 percent of babies have tummy pain due to an intolerance or allergy to cow’s milk protein.If you think your baby might be sensitive to something in his formula or your breast milk, talk to his pediatrician. (If you’re breastfeeding, you may need to eliminate dairy products from your diet for a few weeks. If your baby is formula-fed, the doctor might suggest switching to an extensively hydrolyzed formula.) 90005 90014 90015 90040 Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) 90041. This condition, also known as acid reflux, might lead to colic symptoms. If your baby spits up often and seems uncomfortable or is not growing as expected, visit the doctor and let her know about your concerns.90016 90015 90040 Gut bacteria 90041. Another theory is that colic may be caused by an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the intestines. Studies have shown that infants with colic have different intestinal microflora than those who do not suffer from colic. 90016 90015 90040 Higher serotonin levels 90041. Researchers have found that some colicky babies produce more serotonin — a chemical that helps the brain communicate with the body and also causes intestinal muscles to contract. More research is needed on the link between serotonin and colic.90016 90015 90040 Early migraine 90041. Some studies suggest that colic is a foreshadowing of migraines later in childhood. Researchers are not sure if colic is an early symptom of childhood migraine or if babies with colic share a genetic trait with those who get childhood migraines. 90016 90015 90040 Family stress 90041. Researchers have found an association between moms who suffer from anxiety disorders and babies who cry excessively. There may also be a link between colic and emotional tension or depression in pregnancy, and even between paternal depression and colic.If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, reaching out for support can help both you and your baby. 90016 90025 90002 Should I take my baby to the doctor if I think he has colic? 90003 90004 Yes, it’s a good idea to see the doctor about your baby’s excessive crying. The doctor can rule out potential causes such as intestinal problems or urinary infections, and will check to see if your baby is feeding and growing normally. The doc will also help you determine the best course of action for your baby if she does have colic.90005 90004 And if your baby has other symptoms — like fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody stools — call the doctor immediately. These symptoms are 90083 not 90084 due to colic. 90005 90002 How to soothe a baby with colic 90003 90088 90089 90004 If the doctor thinks your baby has colic, follow her suggestions for comforting your baby. You can also try these tips: 90005 90004 90040 Gentle massage 90041. Your baby might enjoy a gentle massage, but be sensitive to how he responds. He may feel overstimulated.(Chiropractic care has not been proven helpful with colic.) 90005 90004 90040 Noise 90041. Babies like sounds that remind them of the rhythmic heartbeat and gentle whooshing noises they heard in the womb. Your baby might find it comforting to sit in his infant seat near the clothes dryer as it’s running or snuggle in a front carrier while you vacuum. Or he might calm down when the exhaust fan is on in the kitchen. 90005 90004 You can also search online for soothing sounds like rainfall or other constant, natural noise.90005 90004 90040 Silence 90041. Some babies are comforted by motion, noise, and activity, but others need less stimulation and respond better to quiet, stillness, and darkness. 90005 90004 90040 Motion 90041. Gentle movement can be soothing, so try rocking your baby. You can put him in a baby swing, but if your baby falls asleep in the swing, it’s safest to move him to a crib. 90005 90004 It might be easier for your baby to settle if you walk around the house carrying him in a front carrier or sling.He may prefer being held higher in the pack, close to your chest and your heartbeat; or try gently bouncing up and down in this position while hugging your baby close. 90005 90004 90040 Leave the house 90041. If you’ve been indoors, it may help to take your baby for a walk in a stroller, sling, or front carrier. The new sights, sounds, and smells may distract him, and the fresh air and rhythmic movement of walking may calm him enough to fall asleep. 90005 90004 On the other hand, if you’ve been out and about with your baby all morning, some quiet time at home might be just what he needs.90005 90004 90040 Try different positions 90041. Your baby might be most comfortable cradled in your arms, or he might prefer a more upright position, or even lying tummy-down across your lap. Try different positions when he’s upset to see if he seems to prefer one position over another. 90005 90004 90040 Swaddle 90041. Think about how snug your baby was before his birth, and you’ll have a good idea of ​​how wide the world seems to him right now. Swaddling — wrapping your infant snugly in a blanket or cloth — can help a baby feel less out of control.You can try swaddling your baby during feedings if he has trouble settling down enough to eat, or wrap him up before his usual colicky period or before you put him down to sleep. 90005 90004 Not only might swaddling help your colicky baby get to sleep, there’s a good chance it will help him stay asleep, too. 90005 90004 Researchers have found that babies who are swaddled sleep more soundly than those who are not. That’s because when a baby twitches during sleep, his own movements can wake him up.Swaddling keeps that little twitch from becoming a full-fledged flail he’s unlikely to sleep through. 90005 90004 It’s best to keep your swaddled baby where you can keep an eye on him to make sure he does not roll onto his stomach and wind up face-down on the mattress. To reduce this risk, stop swaddling your baby when he’s about 2 months old (or is able to roll over). 90005 90004 90040 Draw a warm bath 90041. A calming bath in the middle of your baby’s crying jag might distract and relax him.Some babies are soothed by the spray of a handheld nozzle on their back. Your baby may enjoy the rhythmic pulsing of the warm water as well as the sound. 90005 90004 90040 Pacify 90041. Anything that helps your baby calm down is a lifesaver right now. For some babies, sucking is the ultimate soother. Consider offering him a pacifier, or encourage your baby to suck on his finger by gently putting it in his mouth. 90005 90004 90040 Ease gassiness 90041. Some colicky babies also suffer from gassiness because they tend to swallow air while crying.Keep your baby upright during feedings, and burp him often to try to ease gas pain. 90005 90004 90040 Warm water bottle 90041. Some babies enjoy the feeling of warm water against their belly. Fill a hot water bottle with lukewarm water and wrap it in a towel. (Do not make the water too hot — what feels warm to you might be too hot for your baby.) Place it on your belly and let your baby lie on top of you. 90005 90004 90040 Probiotics 90041. Babies with colic may have different gut bacteria than babies who do not have colic.Studies have shown that probiotics (specifically 90083 L reuteri 90084) help reduce colic symptoms in breastfed babies. (More studies are needed to find out if it works for formula-fed babies, too). Ask your baby’s healthcare provider whether probiotics may be worth a try. If so, she can recommend a probiotic for your baby. 90005 90002 Are there any medicines or supplements that ease colic? 90003 90004 Other than probiotics, you can try anti-gas drops (such as simethicone / Mylicon) sold over-the-counter.Anti-gas drops have not been proven effective for colic, but they are commonly used for gas pain in babies and are generally considered safe. 90005 90004 90040 Do not 90041 give your baby any of these in an effort to calm her down: 90005 90014 90015 90040 Infant cereal or other solid foods. 90041 Your infant baby is not ready to digest solid food, and giving it to her will not help her feel better. 90016 90015 90040 Medications 90041 s 90040 uch as antispasmodics or antihistamines. 90041 These can be unsafe for your baby.90016 90015 90040 Herbal teas or supplements. 90041 Some studies show that certain herbs, including gripe water, can relieve colic, but they can also be unsafe because the strength, dosage, and quality of the herbs can not be guaranteed. That’s why many experts advise against giving herbs to your baby, while others recommend that you only do so under the guidance of your baby’s doctor. 90016 90025 90004 Talk with your doctor before giving your baby anything other than breast milk or formula.90005 90002 How to cope with your baby’s crying and stay sane 90003 90004 An inconsolable baby is a tough trial for a new parent. It’s enough to make you cry. Go ahead. Also keep in mind: 90005 90004 90040 It’s not personal 90041 90187 When your baby rejects your attempts to console her or seems angry with you, remind yourself that she’s too young to comprehend the concept of blame. And while there are ways to try to console her, colic has nothing to do with your parenting skills. 90005 90004 90040 You can not do it alone 90041 90187 Share baby-care with your partner.Or have a friend or relative take over for you once in a while so you can take a peaceful walk, a nap, or a refreshing shower. 90005 90004 If you find yourself becoming angry or frustrated with your baby, take a deep breath and gently place her on her back in the crib or bassinet. Go to the next room to calm down. Or call a friend or relative to come and stay with your baby while you decompress. (Never shake a baby, no matter how upset you both become.) 90005 90004 If there’s nobody you can call to come and support you in person, contact a local crisis hotline or a parent hotline.The people who staff these phones know how to help. 90005 90004 Reach out to other BabyCenter moms who are struggling with colicky babies. 90005 90004 90040 Taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby 90041 90187 Getting enough rest, eating well, and exercising are important tools to help you cope with the challenges of caring for a colicky baby. 90005 90004 90040 You’re helping your baby, even if she’s still crying 90041 90187 You may not be able to keep your baby from crying.In fact, it’s possible that crying is exactly what she needs to do, and you can best help her by respecting and accepting that. Continue to hold her, rock her, whisper to her — and let her cry, all the while assured of your love. 90005 .90000 What is colic-and what can I do to help my colicky baby 90001 90002 Chantal Foisy’s infant son Logan cried non-stop from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. «Nothing helped,» says Foisy, who lives in Barrie, Ontario. «It took all of my strength not to yell at him, but I knew it was not his fault. Those were the longest five weeks of my life. I nearly died of happiness when the colic went away. » 90003 90002 My own daughter, Katharine, cried inconsolably, with her tiny fists clenched and her red face scrunched in apparent pain.She was rarely soothed by rocking, nursing, singing or car rides. When friends advised this would last «only» three months, I wanted to cry myself. I felt inadequate as a new mother. Why could not I soothe my little baby? 90003 90002 Anyone who has endured the ceaseless wails of a colicky baby can understand the self-doubt and frustration that go along with it. Unfortunately no one really knows what causes colic, and there’s 90007 no single fool-proof cure 90008 that makes it disappear in every infant.But you can arm yourselves with tools that work at least some of the time. As every parent who has been there knows, it’s worth trying. 90003 90002 The good news is, colic disappears often as fast as it comes on. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know to make it through the night. 90003 90012 90007 What is colic? 90008 90015 90002 To diagnose a case of colic, most doctors rely on the «rule of threes»: an otherwise healthy infant who cries during the first three months of life for three or more hours a day on three or more days a week.Some experts use a looser definition, such as «excessive crying in a healthy baby.» Typically, the wails begin about two weeks after birth and peak at six or seven weeks of age. It’s often worst in the evenings. About 10 to 20 percent of babies are colicky. 90003 90002 Lorna Faires of Guelph, Ont., Says her daughter Alyssa began crying the first night in the hospital, then seemed to calm down. «But at four weeks, it started again, and continued until she was three months old.» Alyssa usually cried in the morning from 10 to 11, then every night from about 7:30 or 8 p.m. for three hours. «She would finally go to sleep after my husband walked her for hours,» says Faires. «At one point we sent our older daughter to my mother-in-law’s house for a week so she could catch up on her sleep.» Like most parents of colicky babies, Faires does not know why her daughter cried so much. «We never figured it out,» she says. 90003 90002 If your baby has colic, she may pull up her legs, make tight fists, burp and appear to be in pain when she cries. Still, rather than assume colic is the cause, it’s a good idea to have your family doctor or paediatrician examine the baby to rule out other conditions, such as an ear or bladder infection.»First, we have to make sure the baby is healthy,» says Jeremy Friedman, director of inpatient paediatric medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. 90003 90012 90007 What causes colic? 90008 90015 90002 Even though medical experts do not know the cause of colic, they believe it’s within the range of normal development, albeit the unfortunate end of the spectrum. That’s because many infants cry between 30 minutes and two hours a day. Colicky babies simply cry more than average. 90003 90002 «We have to remember that babies have different temperaments,» says Friedman.Some babies seem to cry easily and hard as a result of their sensitive temperaments, in some cases enough to be classified as colicky. Studies have shown there’s no difference between colicky babies and their peers in development, intelligence or temper later in life. So rest assured that if your baby is colicky now, she’s not destined to be a difficult teenager 13 years from now! 90003 90002 In a small percentage of cases, dairy products in a mother’s diet can cause problems for her breastfed baby.If you suspect this may be the root of your baby’s colic, try eliminating all cow’s milk products for seven to ten days. If there is a change for the better, you can gradually reintroduce milk into your diet. Some sensitive babies can tolerate only a small amount of milk in their mother’s diet, but most can tolerate some, says paediatrician Jack Newman, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto faculty of medicine, who works at several Toronto breastfeeding clinics. 90003 90002 Bottle-fed babies can be sensitive to cow’s milk, too.Some parents contend that switching from a dairy-based formula to one based on soy helps with colic. If cow’s milk is the culprit, this could help, but it is not a sure thing. Some babies are allergic to soy, in which case so-called «hypoallergenic formulas,» which break down the cow’s milk, are another alternative. 90003 90002 Nursing babies may also be sensitive to other foods, such as corn, wheat, eggs and seafood. One study published last May in Pediatrics found that babies with colic history who were fed apple juice cried more and slept less than those fed white grape juice.However, babies without a history of colic experienced no such symptoms when fed apple juice. (Note: The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that parents do not feed juice to infants younger than four months.) You can try eliminating foods one by one to pinpoint the culprit, but keep in mind that by the time you figure out what’s bothering your babe , the colic may have already disappeared. 90003 90002 Micheline Hickey-Ross of Miramichi, New Brunswick, discovered that her daughter Asa’s colic eased when she stopped eating certain foods.»She was totally different when I cut out bananas, apples, green pepper, cucumber, tomatoes and a few other foods.» 90003 90002 On the recommendation of a paediatrician in California, Newman has recently tried offering the mothers of colicky babies capsules of pancreatic enzymes. «It helps metabolize the proteins so they do not get into the mother’s milk,» he says, «and we have had good success with this, although we are still experimenting with dosages.» 90003 90002 Some babies have reflux, a condition similar to heartburn.If your baby sucks a bit, then pulls off the breast and screams, this could be the cause of her crying. She may spit up a lot, too. (However, most babies who spit up are not suffering from reflux.) An Israeli study found that anti-reflux medication relieved symptoms within two weeks. For bottle-fed babies, the answer might be pre-digested formula, in which the protein is broken down into its amino acids. However, this is a last resort as the formula is expensive and unpleasant tasting. 90003 90002 Kathi Kemper, director of the Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research at the Children’s Hospital in Boston, says that iron-fortified formulas are better for colicky babies than low-iron brands.While 90007 bottle-feeding 90008 parents may have some luck switching formulas, there are no advantages to switching from breast to bottle, says Friedman. «Just as many bottle-fed babies have colic.» There may be some breastfeeding techniques you can employ to help ease colic, though (see «Nursing Notes»). 90003 90012 How can you help a colicky baby? 90015 90002 Your mother, next-door neighbour and hairdresser probably know someone whose baby’s colic was cured by rice cereal, a rocking chair or voodoo.Many fixes help for a short time, and everything seems to work at three or four months, when colic usually disappears. Still, there are some things parents can try that offer a genuine chance of relieving their baby’s symptoms. 90003 90002 Carrying your baby as much as possible has been shown to reduce crying. In The Baby Book, paediatrician William Sears writes that parents should carry babies around or start a comforting routine before the colic kicks in. Once your baby is all wound up, she’ll be harder and harder to soothe.He suggests using a 90007 baby sling or carrier 90008. Other traditional colic remedies include a warm hot water bottle on the baby’s tummy, music, slow rhythmic rocking and running a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer for calming «white noise.» Some parents have tried putting their babies in a car seat on top of a running, cool clothes dryer. (If you try this, just make sure you do not leave the baby unattended for even a moment.) 90003 90002 Some infants respond well to being snugly swaddled in a cuddly blanket.Parents spend scads of cash on swings, crib vibrators and other gadgets that claim to calm babies, but there are no guarantees these will work. As Friedman points out, some babies respond to less stimulation, not more. If nothing else seems to work, you might want to try putting your baby down in a dark room and listening to see if his crying slows after a few minutes. 90003 90002 You may find it helpful to keep a diary of crying times and the different tactics you use, suggests Friedman. Not only will this help you ascertain what works and what does not, it might give you some hope.»Sometimes parents do not realize that the crying is decreasing until they start keeping track.» 90003 90002 Here’s a look at some of the other treatments used for colic. 90003 90002 90061 Herbal helpers 90062 A 1993 study found that three to four ounces per day of a herbal tea containing chamomile, fennel, vervain, licorice and balm-mint was significantly more effective than a placebo in eliminating infant colic, according to Kemper. «It’s not known which of the herbs in the tea is the effective ingredient,» she adds, «but chamomile is a traditional tummy settler in many parts of the world.»Try putting two chamomile tea bags in a cup. Pour on boiling water and let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes until it’s cooled. Give your baby one tablespoon to one ounce, in a bottle or on a spoon, two to four times a day. «If it’s going to work for your baby,» says Kemper, «you will see results in a day or two.» 90003 90002 Gripe water (containing dill, caraway, fruit sugar and water) is a harmless and popular-albeit unproven-remedy. Some brands contain a small amount of alcohol, but there is no danger if you follow the instructions.If you try herbs, do not give more than four ounces of tea per day, and use a trusted source. 90003 90002 90061 Baby massage 90062 «No scientific studies prove that massage relieves colic, but there are parents who say it helps,» says Friedman. You can lay the baby on the floor and, starting at her belly button, gently walk your fingers clockwise, forming concentric circles outward. Try this 20 to 30 minutes after a feeding. 90003 90002 90061 Chiropractic and cranio-sacral therapy 90062 Some studies have shown that chiropractic spinal manipulation is an effective colic treatment, but these studies did not compare the subjects to a control group of babies who were not treated.Also, the therapy started around the time most colic was at its worst, and continued over two weeks, when it would usually start to improve anyway. It’s important to note that in February, the Canadian Paediatric Society issued a statement saying, «There is no scientific evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic in treating nonmusculoskeletal conditions in children.» Cranio-sacral therapy is the gentle palpation of the bones of the skull by a specialized massage therapist.Make sure you go to someone who is not only a registered massage therapist but certified by the Upledger Institute. There are no formal studies to show it’s an effective treatment for colic, though some parents claim it helps. 90003 90002 90061 Homeopathy 90062 Likewise, there is no definitive proof that homeopathy helps colicky babies. But according to Kemper, homeopathic remedies are considered safe, and they’re usually quite inexpensive. If you decide to try an alternative remedy, shop around for a practitioner who has experience with infants, and be sure to tell your family doctor.A study of homeopaths and naturopaths found that most had no formal paediatric training, and fewer than half said they would refer a two-week-old with a fever for emergency care, which suggests they might not recognize a potentially serious condition, says Kemper. 90003 90002 90061 Medications 90062 Most doctors are not big fans of the pharmaceutical approach to colic. Parents should stay away from a drug called dicyclomine hydrochloride (Bentylol), which is not recommended for babies under six months because it can cause breathing difficulties.A few doctors still prescribe it, but given the risks that is not wise. Some parents find an antispasmodic such as simethicone (Ovol) works, but there is no evidence to suggest why it would be effective. Still, it is harmless. 90003 90002 Finally, do not offer early solids in an attempt to cure colic. Before four months, feeding a baby solids-such as rice cereal or pureed foods-is a risk factor for developing food sensitivities. 90003 90002 Unfortunately, you could try every trick in the book and find that nothing works.Yet as hard as it is to imagine when you’re going through it, it will not be long until your baby is a smiley, playful six-month-old. Those exhausting early days will gradually fade from memory after your baby — and you — outgrow colic. 90003 90002 90007 Survivors ready 90088 90008 Donya Leonard of Lethbridge, Alberta, recalls a time when her daughter Ryleigh was screaming so much, she and her husband did not know what to do. «We were exhausted,» she says. «Finally we just put her in the crib and we collapsed in bed.When we woke up, she was asleep. I had no idea how long she had been sleeping. » 90003 90002 In an ideal world you would never leave a baby to cry it out. But if your nerves are frayed, you’re sleep deprived and you fear you could lose your patience with your baby, hand her over to someone else, or put her down in a safe place, like a crib, take a deep breath, and leave the room. Remember that shaking a baby may damage her fragile brain, sometimes fatally. Put someone else in charge, even for ten minutes, so you can make yourself a cup of tea, read a magazine, meditate or find some way to relax yourself.90003 90002 «Parents need a lot of support to get through this period,» says Jeremy Friedman of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. «If they can, it’s a good idea to mobilize family resources so they can get a break.» 90003 90002 90007 Nursing Notes 90088 90008 Colic is often seen in babies whose mothers have an abundant milk supply. Why is the baby crying? Some babies get colicky if they receive mostly the lower-fat milk that comes out earlier in the feed. (Hindmilk is the richer, higher-fat milk that baby gets later.Keep in mind that the fat content of the milk changes gradually, not suddenly.) 90003 90002 Too much foremilk gives the baby a lot of lactose all at once. In the small intestine, the protein that digests the lactose may not be able to handle so much at one time, and the baby experiences gas and sometimes even streaks of blood in the stool. These babies are not lactose-intolerant, and there is no reason to switch to formula. The remedy: Finish the first breast before offering the second so baby gets hindmilk each time.»Be sure the baby is latched on well and that he is actually drinking at the breast,» says the University of Toronto’s Jack Newman. How can you tell? 90003 90002 «Imagine your thumb is a straw and you are sucking up a thick liquid like a milkshake,» says Newman. «As you suck inward on your thumb, your chin stays down. The baby does the same thing when his mouth is filling with milk. If he does not have a pause in the chin, he is no longer getting much. Compression can then keep the baby drinking.»(For an explanation of how to compress the breast, visit 90007 Newman’s fact sheet 90008.) 90003 90002 There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to breastfeeding, contends Newman, but he does suggest offering the second side only when the baby stops drinking at the first side. You can even offer more than one feeding on each breast. 90003 90002 Overactive milk letdown can also contribute to colic in a breastfed baby because she gets fussy and irritable if too much milk comes too quickly.Here, too, you can try feeding the baby at one breast per feed. Lying down to nurse can help because gravity decreases the rate of milk flow. If you have time, express an ounce or two of milk before you feed the baby to slow the flow. 90003 90002 Ottawa lactation consultant Joan Fisher has seen desperate parents of colicky babies abandon breastfeeding and then experiment with various formulas, to no avail. Eventually, some successfully lactated again, but this route can be very difficult, and is not successful every time.90003 90002 90007 Read More: 90088 90008 90007 Colic: One dad tells it like it is 90088 Medical cures for colic? 90088 Food cures 90088 90008 90003 .90000 Colic in Babies: Signs, Symptoms, and Relief 90001 90002 All babies cry sometimes. After all, this is the only way your little one has of telling you when he or she is hungry or uncomfortable. Sometimes your baby might even seem to cry for no reason at all. 90003 90002 However, sometimes your newborn’s normal fussiness turns into extended periods of crying that go on and on and can not be soothed. These nerve-wracking crying spells could indicate that your baby has colic, which affects around 20 percent of all infants.90003 90002 Read on to find out what colic is, what might cause it, how you can try to give your child relief from any colicky pain, how you yourself can cope with the stress of colicky crying, and when to take your baby to see a doctor. 90003 90002 Sometimes your baby will cry because he or she is hungry or tired or needs a nappy change. In this case, a feed, a cuddle or a fresh, dry nappy is usually all it takes to cheer your little one up again. 90003 90002 If, however, your baby seems to cry for no reason, and continues to cry after you’ve tried all these things, he or she may have colic.90003 90002 This is what sets normal crying apart from colicky crying. With normal crying, your infant will respond to comfort measures and will stop crying eventually. With colic, your baby cries persistently and can not seem to be consoled. 90003 90002 If your baby has colic, you may also notice that he or she cries more often in the afternoon and / or evening. 90003 90002 90017 Signs and Symptoms of Colic 90018 90003 90002 A baby with colic might show some of these symptoms: 90003 90022 90023 90024 Inconsolable crying.90025 Things that usually soothe your baby — like a feed, cuddle or change of nappy — do not seem to work. Or, they may only work for short time before the crying starts up again. 90026 90023 90024 Becoming tense or stiff. 90025 Stiffening or tensing the body, an arched back or clenched fists could all be tell-tale signs of colicky pain. 90026 90023 90024 Curling up. 90025 Your little one may pull his or her legs up towards the tummy several times in quick succession. 90026 90023 90024 Swollen or tender stomach.90025 Your baby’s tummy might seem puffed up and tight, and possibly sensitive to the touch. 90026 90023 90024 A red face. 90025 Your little one might become a little red-faced from all the crying. 90026 90023 90024 No other symptoms. 90025 A baby with colic will seem fine between crying spells. See a doctor if you notice any additional symptoms like vomiting or a fever. 90026 90047 90002 90017 How to Soothe Your Colicky Crying Baby 90018 90003 90002 Unfortunately, there is not a cure for colic, but take heart: it usually clears up by itself within a few weeks or months.Still, many parents feel helpless and confused about what to do to soothe their colicky baby. 90003 90002 Here are some remedies you could try to comfort and soothe your little one, and give some relief from colic or lessen the symptoms: 90003 90022 90023 90024 Hold your baby upright during feeds. 90025 This can help prevent your little one from swallowing air along with the breast milk or formula. 90026 90023 90024 Burp your baby frequently. 90025 Winding your baby more frequently after feeds can help release any trapped air the digestive system, relieving pressure on his or her tummy.90026 90023 90024 Watch what you’re eating. 90025 If you’re breastfeeding there is some evidence that cutting or reducing the amount of cows ‘milk dairy products, eggs, wheat, nuts and caffeine from your diet may help in some cases. Ask your health visitor or doctor how you can substitute these items to maintain a balanced diet. 90026 90023 90024 Switch formulas. 90025 If you’re feeding your baby formula, ask your doctor or health visitor about trying a hydrolysed (hypoallergenic) formula, in case the colic is triggered by an intolerance or allergy to something in the formula.90026 90023 90024 Use a ‘fast-flow’ teat. 90025 If you bottle-feed your little one and the hole in the bottle’s teat is too small, it could make your baby swallow air while feeding. Using a teat with a bigger hole could help with this. 90026 90023 90024 Rock your baby. 90025 Gentle, regular motion can be soothing. Rock your baby over your shoulder, in your arms or in a Moses basket or cradle. Go for a stroll with the pushchair or even a drive in the car. 90026 90023 90024 Hold and comfort your little one.90025 Close contact and the sound of your voice can be soothing for your baby. If you hold him or her close to your chest, the sound of your heartbeat can also have a calming effect. 90026 90023 90024 Play soft music, sing or talk to your baby. 90025 The sound of your voice is reassuring and comforting for your child, so saying ‘I love you,’ it’s OK ‘, or even just chatting about the first thing that comes into your head can work wonders. White noise — the sound of a fan, radio or a white noise machine or app — could also distract or comfort your baby.90026 90023 90024 Give your baby a gentle massage 90025. Gentle tummy massages — with gradually increasing circular movements — might also help with your little one’s digestion, potentially reducing colicky pain. The best time for this is when your baby is feeling happy and comfortable, for example just after a nappy change. Do not massage your baby’s tummy while he or she is crying or seems to be in pain. 90026 90023 90024 Give your baby a warm bath. 90025 The warm water can help relax your little one’s muscles.It could also be a welcome distraction for you both. There’s no need to go through the cleaning motions — just enjoy the water and devote your attention to soothing and comforting or playing splashy games if your baby enjoys it. 90026 90047 Medical experts are not quite sure what causes colic, although the crying is thought to be a response to stomach pain. There are various theories about what factors could contribute to this stomach pain, which may include: 90022 90023 90024 An underdeveloped digestive system.90025 Your baby’s brand-new digestive system may still have a little maturing to do. Until then, your little one might be finding it harder to digest that breastmilk or formula. 90026 90023 90024 Hormonal changes. 90025 Changes in your baby’s hormone levels might temporarily affect the muscles inside his or her tummy. 90026 90023 90024 Bacterial imbalance. 90025 The bacteria that live in your baby’s developing digestive system may still be developing, so they could be out of balance. This usually corrects itself within a few weeks.90026 90023 90024 Lactose intolerance. 90025 Another possibility is that the lactose in breast milk or formula does not agree with your little one’s tummy. 90026 90023 90024 Excess wind. 90025 Extra gas or air trapped in your little one’s tummy might be making him or her uncomfortable. 90026 90023 90024 Acid reflux or GORD. 90025 The symptoms of acid reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD) can be similar to colic. Signs that your little might have acid reflux include bringing up milk a lot during or after feeds, and fussiness during feeding.90026 90023 90024 Exposure to tobacco smoke. 90025 If you smoked during pregnancy, or if people smoke around you and your baby, this could increase your little one’s risk of colic. 90026 90047 90002 90017 At What Age Can Babies Get Colic? 90018 90003 90002 Not all babies end up with colic — on average about 1 in 5 get it. If your little one does go through a colicky spell, the symptoms may start appearing at between 2 and 4 weeks of age. 90003 90002 The crying may be irregular at first, with crying spells getting longer until your little one is about 3 to 4 weeks old.90003 90002 After this, you might notice a pattern in your little one’s colicky crying. For example, it might typically last from 6 pm until 11 pm each night. 90003 90002 90017 How Long Does Colic Last? 90018 90003 90002 In general, colicky crying tends to stop when your child is about 4 months old, but it can sometimes last until around 6 months of age. 90003 90002 Check in with your health visitor or doctor if your baby’s colic symptoms show no signs of letting up after 4 months of age.90003 90002 Babies can cry for lots of reasons. If you think there’s more to your little one’s distress than colic, see your doctor to determine whether your little one has colic or potentially another medical condition. 90003 90002 See a doctor or call 111 straight away if your baby 90003 90022 90023 has a fever with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher 90026 90023 has an unusual, weak or very high-pitched cry 90026 90023 is vomiting or has diarrhoea 90026 90023 seems listless or sleepier than usual 90026 90023 is not feeding well.90026 90047 90002 90017 Coping With a Baby Who Has Colic 90018 90003 90002 If your baby has colic, it’s important to pay attention to your own emotional state. Caring for a baby with colic can be tough, and it can make you feel anxious and inadequate, not to mention stressed. 90003 90002 No matter how frustrated you feel, never shake your baby. Shaking an infant can cause bleeding in the brain, leading to permanent damage and even death. 90003 90002 If you find yourself feeling out of control and unsure if you can cope with your baby’s crying, try one or more of the following steps: 90003 90022 90023 Breathe deeply and count to 10.Remember that many parents experience these feelings sometimes. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. 90026 90023 Put your baby safely in his or her cot and leave the room for a short break. Decide how long you’ll be — for example 10 minutes — and go back when the time’s up. 90026 90023 Call a friend or family member for emotional support 90026 90023 Ask your health visitor or doctor about support groups in your local area 90026 90023 Ask for and accept help from family and friends who can take care of your baby for a short period to give you a little time out.90026 90047 90002 No matter how upset or frustrated you might feel when your baby is crying, remember that lots of parents find this hard. 90003 90002 You’re doing a great job, so hang in there — this colicky phase may be tough, but it will pass soon enough. In the meantime, take care of yourself and do not be shy about asking for help or support if you need it. 90003 90002 90189 90024 How we wrote this article 90025 90192 The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS).You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. 90192 The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment. 90194 90003 .90000 Crying baby: What to do when your newborn cries 90001 90002 Crying baby: What to do when your newborn cries 90003 90004 90005 Newborn crying jags are inevitable. Here’s help soothing a crying baby — and renewing your ability to handle the tears. 90006 90007 By Mayo Clinic Staff 90005 On any given day, a newborn might cry for up to two hours — or even longer. Find out why babies cry, and what you can do about it. 90006 90010 Decoding the tears 90011 90005 A crying baby is trying to tell you something.Your job is to figure out why and what — if anything — you can do about it. 90006 90005 Over time you might be able to identify your baby’s needs by the way he or she is crying. For example, a hungry cry might be short and low-pitched, while a cry of pain might be a sudden, long, high-pitched shriek. Picking up on any patterns can help you better respond to your baby’s cries. 90006 90005 Consider what your crying baby could be thinking: 90006 90018 90019 90020 I’m hungry. 90021 Most newborns eat every few hours round-the-clock.Crying is a late sign of hunger. Look for early signs of hunger, such as hand to mouth movements and lip smacking. 90022 90019 90020 I want to suck on something. 90021 For many babies, sucking is a comforting activity. If your baby is not hungry, offer a pacifier or help your baby find a finger or thumb. 90022 90019 90020 I’m lonely. 90021 Calmly hold your baby to your chest. Gentle pats on the back might soothe a crying baby, too. 90022 90019 90020 I’m tired. 90021 Tired babies are often fussy — and your baby might need more sleep than you think.Newborns often sleep up to 16 hours a day or sometimes more. 90022 90019 90020 I’m wet. 90021 A wet or soiled diaper can trigger tears. Check your baby’s diaper often to make sure it’s clean and dry. 90022 90019 90020 I want to move. 90021 Sometimes a rocking session or walk can soothe a crying baby. Or try placing your baby in an infant swing or going for a car ride. 90022 90019 90020 I’d rather be bundled. 90021 Some babies feel most secure when swaddled. 90022 90019 90020 I’m hot or cold.90021 Add or remove a layer of clothing as needed. 90022 90051 90005 Too much noise, movement or visual stimulation also might drive your baby to cry. Move to a calmer environment or place your baby in the crib. White noise — such as a recording of ocean waves or the monotonous sound of an electric fan — might help your crying baby relax. 90006 90010 Crying it out 90011 90005 If your baby does not appear sick, you’ve tried everything, and he or she is still upset, it’s OK to let your baby cry.If you need to distract yourself for a few minutes, place your baby safely in the crib and make a cup of tea or call a friend. 90006 90010 Is it just fussiness, or is it colic? 90011 90005 Some babies have frustrating periods of frequent, prolonged and intense crying known as colic — typically starting a few weeks after birth and improving by age 3 months. 90006 90005 Colic is often defined as crying for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks in an otherwise healthy infant.The crying might seem like an expression of pain and begin for no apparent reason. The timing might be predictable, with episodes often happening at night. 90006 90005 If you’re concerned about colic, talk to your baby’s health care provider. He or she can check if your baby is healthy and suggest additional soothing techniques. 90006 90010 Taking care of yourself 90011 90005 Remaining relaxed will make it easier to console your baby. Take a break and rest when you can. Ask friends and loved ones for help.Remember that this is temporary. Crying spells often peak at about six to eight weeks and then gradually decrease. 90006 90005 If your baby’s crying is causing you to lose control, put the baby in the crib and go to another room to collect yourself. If necessary, contact a family member or friend, your health care provider, a local crisis intervention service, or a mental health help line for support. 90006 Dec. 28, 2018 Show references 90072 90019 Crying and your baby: How to calm a fussy or colicky baby.American Academy of Pediatrics. https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/handout.aspx?gbosid=156744. Accessed Dec. 5, 2018. 90022 90019 Welcome to the world of parenting! American Academy of Pediatrics. https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/handout.aspx?gbosid=166270. Accessed Dec. 5, 2018. 90022 90019 Schanler RJ, et al. Initiation of breastfeeding. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 6, 2018. 90022 90019 Shelov SP, et al. Basic infant care. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5.6th ed. New York, N.Y .: Bantam Books; 2014. 90022 90019 Turner TL, et al. Infantile colic: Management and outcome. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 5, 2018. 90022 90019 Colic. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/symptoms-in-infants-and-children/colic. Accessed Dec. 5, 2018. 90022 90085 See more In-depth 90005 . 90006.