Infant colic
INFANT
COLIC
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This
condition in infants is commonly known as the 3-month colic. Usually this condition
sets in after the 3rd week of life and disappears after the 3rd
month. The baby cries continuously, usually in the evening, for one to three
hours.
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Causes
What You Can Do
Important
What the Doctor Can Do
Habits
for the Mother
Causes
The
actual cause is not known. It is thought to be due to
v
Spasms of the intestines due to wind trapped in.
v
An anxious mother or infant.
v
Indigestion.
v
Food allergy
v
Lactose intolerance
What you can do
v Carry and cuddle the baby
and rock
v Distract baby, by changing
nappies or bathing the baby.
v Put baby on stomach and gently
rub the back.
v Apply warmth on stomach using
a warm towel
v Ensure that, if bottle-fed,
the baby does not suck in air.
v Burp baby after feeding.
v Calm baby by playing music.
Important
Consult
your doctors if any of the following are present:-
v
Blood is present in the baby’s stools.
v
Blood or green tinged bile is present in baby’s vomit.
v
Loss of appetite
v
Baby keeps waking up screaming in pain.
v
Worsening vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
v
Fever
What the doctor can do
The
doctor can confirm that the crying is due to colic and not due to anything more
serious. He can prescribe medication to ease the colic.
Some of the medications used are:-
v Simethicone, which helps to break down the gas bubbles in the stomach, so that they are
smaller and less painful.
v Gripe water - helps baby to burp.
The doctor may also offer some other advice depending on each individual case.
Habits
for the Mother
v
Prepare for the episode of evening colic by taking an afternoon nap.
v
Be patient – Babies usually get over this phase by 3 months.
v
Ask relatives or friends for some relief during the difficult time.
v
Feeding time should be quiet and relaxed.
v
Share caring for the baby with the father.
v
Do not smoke
v
Do not exhaust yourself, ask for help.
Enjoy
your baby’s growing years.
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