Description

Colic is a condition that affects children younger than three months old. It is marked by crying that Continues for hours, several days a week, for several weeks. While pediatricians know that colic affects the digestive system, they still don't know the exact cause. Some theories attribute these painful attacks to allergies, gas, heartburn, over feeding, or foods that a breastfeeding mother has eaten (especially those with a high-carbohydrate content that might lead to excessive fermentation In the baby's intestines). The baby responds to this pain with severe crying that is often interrupted by wails and screams.

The length of an episode varies from infant to infant. The crying may last only a half hour, or it can continue for several hours until the baby falls asleep from exhaustion or finds relief by passing gas or having a bowel movement.

Though a large number of colicky babies outgrow the condition by three months of age, others have the condition until they are six months old or even older.

Signs and Symptoms

Extended periods of loud, sharp wailing and crying in an infant

Legs drawn up toward the abdomen

Clenching of fists and curling of toes

Flushed face

Cool feet and hands

Distended stomach

Conventional Medicine Treatment

A pediatrician can diagnose colic after a thorough physical examination. Unfortunately, there is no proven medical treatment for colic. Often, the only advice you get from your doctor is to burp your child after every feeding and-if that doesn't work-to switch to another type of formula (if you are bottle feeding).

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation

It is estimated that as many as so percent of children and babies have difficulty digesting cow's milk, yet many commercial baby formulas contain the substance. Substitute cow's milk with goat's milk or a non-allergic formula.

Breastfed babies may be allergic or sensitive to gas-forming foods in the mother's diet, such a beans, garlic, onions, wheat, and cabbage. Other foods the breastfeeding mother should avoid include caffeine, chocolate, spices, tomatoes, and oranges.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapists say any of the following essential oils can help relieve an infant's discomfort from colic: Roman chamomile, fennel, lavender, marjoram, or peppermint. See a qualified therapist for specific advice.

Bodywork

Infant massage has a gas and colic routine as well as a full round of lower torso massage strokes.

Homeopathy

Colic may respond to homeopathic treatment. However, the selection of a remedy-more than one is available depends on your child's symptoms and the stage of the condition. Don't try treating this disorder yourself. See a homeopathic professional.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupressure Pressing gently on Large Intestine 4 (located on the fleshy part of the hand between the thumb and fore-finger) and Conception Vessel 12 (above the navel, between the bottom ribs) may help ease the symptoms of colic.

Chinese Herbal Therapy An herbalist may recommend giving the child a tea made of fennel, ginger, scallions, and citrus peel to help calm the abdominal spasms that characterize this ailment. Depending on what the doctor determines to be the specific cause of the colic, other herbs may prescribed as well.

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