What is colic in babies? The symptoms and 10 colic remedies

What causes colic in babies?

Colic is quite a common condition affecting 1 in 5 babies¹ yet the exact cause of colic isn’t known. However, the belief is that there are two main answers when it comes to what is colic in babies:

1. It’s sometimes associated with abdominal pain, as a sort of stomach cramp.
   
2. It could be associated with trouble digesting, caused by the baby’s age or because of food allergies.

If you believe that the colic is caused by food allergies, always consult with your GP before making any changes to their diet (or yours if you are breastfeeding).

Because breast milk is specially designed for babies, many wonder if breastfed babies get colicky. The answer is yes – breastfed babies can get colicky – although formula-fed babies also get colicky.

Tip: Before jumping to the conclusion that your baby has colic, it is worth noting that there are several other reasons why your baby may cry inconsolably; including a bad case of wind, a dirty nappy, boredom, or over-stimulation.

Colic remedies

Colic will usually subside naturally within three months, but we know it can feel like longer when you’ve got a crying baby on your hands. If you want to ease your baby’s discomfort in the meantime, here are 9 simple colic remedies:

• Keep an eye out for when your baby is full. As overfeeding can cause colic, it’s important to know when your baby is full, and stop feeding them. Some signs to look out for include:
  o    Turning their head away.
  o    Milk is dripping out of their mouth.
  o    Reluctant to latch onto the bottle nipple.
  o    Starts to move their arms and legs.
  o    Looking sleep or their body feels heavy and relaxed.
• Create a longer window between feeds. If you’re currently feeding every one to two hours, try out a routine of feeding every three to four hours and see if it makes a difference.
  
• Check your own diet. If you’re dealing with colic in breastfed babies, check your diet to see if you’re eating a lot of the following foods: broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, cabbage, chocolate, cow’s milk, onions, citrus fruits, or tomatoes. These can all cause babies to be gassy or colicky. If you suspect a certain food, cut it out for a couple of days to see if there’s an effect.

Tip: Remember, if you are considering cutting out any food groups entirely for the long term, such as dairy, it’s a good idea to get advice from a healthcare professional.

• Adjust your burping technique. Try to get the gas out of your baby’s tummy before it has a chance to move through to the bowel. If your baby is a quick feeder you may need to burp more frequently. Hold your baby upright, either over your shoulder or sitting in your lap. Try firmly patting your baby’s back to encourage the bubbles up and out.
  
• Give your baby a tummy massage. A gentle tummy massage can help relax your baby’s tense muscles (and can be especially effective after a warm bath).
  
• Give gripe water a try. Gripe water is an old-fashioned remedy. While there is no hard evidence that it works, some moms do use it when their baby has a problem. It warms and relaxes the tummy and is said to have an antacid effect too. Gripe water is usually recommended for babies older than one month, but always remember to check the label before use.
  
• Move your baby into a more comfortable position. Certain positions are soothing for a colicky baby, especially on the tummy. Lay your baby face down over your arm, head resting in the crook of your elbow, with your hand between your baby’s legs. You could also try lying your little one face down on your lap, head turned to the side, while gently moving your own legs side to side. Do make sure your baby is lying face-up once asleep.
  
• Movement can offer some relief. A swing or vibrating chair can be a lifesaver if your baby is very unhappy in the evenings.
  
• Give your baby a soother. Try a soother when your baby is difficult to comfort. If your baby does have pain, suckling will help.