Infant colic: symptoms and treatment

Infant colic usually appears during the baby’s first months of life and becomes one of parents’ main concerns, but do you know what it is and how it can be treated?

What is colic in babies?

Infant colic consists of episodes characterised by intense crying in the baby during the first months of life. It may be linked to immaturity or underdevelopment of the infant’s digestive system, food intolerances, stress...

It is considered that our baby has infant colic if, being under 3 months old, they have episodes of inconsolable crying at least 3 times a week and for more than 3 hours a day. These episodes usually happen, above all, late in the afternoon or at night.

This causes unease and worry for parents. It also affects the wellbeing and quality of life of both the parents and the baby.

When does it appear?

Infant colic usually appears between 2 and 4 weeks after birth and becomes more intense over the following weeks. Most commonly, it occurs during the baby’s first three months of life. In summary, the onset pattern is as follows:

• Onset: between 15 days and 1 month of age.
• Peak: between 4 and 6 weeks of age.
• Most frequent: before 3 months.

It is important to mention that infant colic at night and in the afternoon is usually more intense. Episodes can last from a few minutes to several hours, averaging 3 hours a day in the more pronounced cases.

Causes

Infant colic is a common condition characterised by prolonged episodes of crying with no apparent cause. Although the exact cause is unknown, several factors have been identified that may contribute to its onset.

• Immaturity of the digestive system: Babies have an immature digestive system, which may cause spasmodic contractions of the intestine and difficulty passing wind.
• Intolerance to lactose or cow’s milk proteins: Although evidence in this case is limited, intolerance to cow’s milk proteins may be a possible cause.
• Imbalance in gut flora: Changes in the gut microbiota may influence the development of colic.
• Maternal diet: The mother’s diet may have an influence if the baby is breastfed. For example, if she consumes foods such as onion, cow’s milk, raw vegetables or chocolate.
• Formula milk: If the baby is fed with mixed feeding or exclusively with formula, it may be difficult to digest if it contains cow’s milk proteins.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke: This can negatively affect the baby’s still immature digestive system.

Symptoms of infant colic: what are they?

It is important to highlight that babies with colic are usually healthy, feed well and gain weight normally. As for the warning signs or symptoms of infant colic, they are as follows:

• Intense and prolonged crying: the baby cries inconsolably, especially in the afternoon or at night. To rule out other causes, this should generally happen for more than three hours a day, three days a week and for at least three weeks.
• Abdominal tension: this is a sign that appears when our baby arches their back and pulls their legs up towards the abdomen, indicating discomfort or intestinal pain. Sudden spasms in the abdominal area may also occur.
• Changes in the sleep cycle: they may sleep only 2 to 3 hours instead of the normal 15 or 18 hours.
• Regurgitation: when the baby brings back up the milk they have taken.
• Hiccups and/or coughing.
• Difficulty soothing the baby: whatever we do, our baby does not settle.

Infant colic: what should you do when it appears?

The first thing we should do as parents when our baby has colic is:

• Stay calm: colic is temporary and in most cases will disappear before 6 months of age.
• Seek professional support: if the colic or symptoms persist, consult your paediatrician to determine whether there are any other conditions or issues.

To improve the symptoms of our baby’s colic, it is necessary to discuss the following with the paediatrician:

• The possibility of changing their diet: There are cases in which the baby’s diet is changed if it is suspected that it may be linked to an intolerance or allergy to milk or milk protein.
• Use of medicines to relieve wind: In some situations, and if the paediatrician considers it appropriate, medicines may be recommended to relieve excess wind. Simeticone is often used because it is generally well tolerated.

From the pharmacy, we suggest other techniques to manage infant colic and improve symptoms:

• As a mother, help with your diet: If you are breastfeeding, avoid spices, pulses and alcohol. If you are giving formula milk, it is essential to follow the correct water-to-powder proportions for your little one and not change anything in their diet without discussing it with the paediatrician first.
• Techniques for managing crying: Rocking the baby, swaddling them in a blanket, offering a dummy or something that soothes them can help them relax. A lukewarm bath may also help, as can cuddling them while they cry.
• Abdominal massage: Gently massaging their tummy in a clockwise direction can relieve tension and colic by helping wind to pass.
• "Tummy time" position: this involves placing the baby on their tummy while they are awake, helping them release wind and ease abdominal pain.
• Reduce stimulation: lay the baby down in a quiet room and use white noise.
• During feeds: Sit your baby upright during feeds to stop them swallowing too much air. Help them bring up wind after the feed.

What is the treatment for infant colic?

Treatment for infant colic mainly focuses on relieving symptoms and comforting the baby, as this is a condition that generally resolves on its own over time. Some options include dietary changes, using milk formulas based on hydrolysed proteins.

At Farmaciasdirect, we recommend including and supplementing the baby’s diet with formula milks with probiotics. Probiotics are strains of live microorganisms that help restore and balance the baby’s gut flora, easing the symptoms caused. The strain Lactobacillus reuteri is very effective.

As for how to choose a specific and beneficial formula milk, we recommend Enfamil Confort.

Enfamil Confort

Enfamil Confort is a hydrolysed milk for infants specially formulated with a casein/whey protein ratio (40/60) similar to breast milk, partially hydrolysed proteins and a reduced lactose content. This makes it a more easily digested milk for our baby, helping to manage the baby’s crying, regurgitation and wind, thereby easing their discomfort and abdominal pain.

Enfamil Confort provides all the nutrients and active ingredients the baby needs for proper growth and development at a physiological, immune, neurological and cognitive level.

Controlling the feed amount according to the baby’s weight is also very important in managing colic. To prepare the formula, follow these guidelines:

1. Wash your hands. Clean and sterilise bottles, teats, lids and utensils.
2. Boil water and leave it to cool to room temperature. Pour the correct amount into a clean bottle.
3. Add the required amount of powdered milk.
4. Put the lid on the bottle, swirl it and shake well until the powder has completely dissolved.
5. Check the temperature on the inside of your wrist.

To find out the correct amount of powder you need, check the product label. There you will find the information needed to prepare this anti-colic milk according to the baby’s weight and age.

Infant colic is a frustrating and difficult stage in a baby’s development, both for parents and for the baby themselves. With proper supervision from the paediatrician, appropriate daily care, cuddles and patience, we can make this process easier and improve symptoms and the family’s quality of life.

Remember that every baby is unique and may experience colic differently. So, if you have any doubts about your baby’s behaviour, we recommend consulting your paediatrician to rule out other causes and get specific guidance.