2023-11-01 00:02:10
What is infant colic?
Have you ever wondered why your baby cries intensely, seems agitated and appears almost inconsolable for several hours? This situation might very well be the manifestation of baby colica benign condition common in babies under 4 months.
Mr Manson, an osteopath specializing in the treatment of babies, explains to us that “the infant colic should not be confused with simple discomfort or temporary pain. They represent real suffering for the baby, characterized by intense and prolonged crying, often at the end of the day, and unusual agitation. The baby is then difficult to console, which can create a feeling ofimpotence in parents. »
Rarely seen before 2 weeks of age, colic generally begins around the second or third week of life and peaks around six weeks. They then gradually decrease and generally disappear around the fourth month of life. It is estimated that nearly one in two babies is affected by this inconvenience.
The causes of this disorder are not obvious. This is why many scientists have focused on the subject of baby colic in order to understand its causes. specific causes and to propose effective solutions to relieve these little ones. Several factors, detailed below, would be involved.
If your baby has colic, this period is trying for both the child and the parents, but rest assured, it is temporary and has no impact on the baby’s future development. Before knowing why baby has colic, let’s look at the causes.
The causes of infant colic
THE infant colic are a medical mystery whose origin remains uncertain. Several hypotheses are put forward.
The dysbiosis
Among the often cited causes of baby colic, attributed to this inconvenience in toddlers, dysbiosis; an imbalance of the intestinal flora. This imbalance in the microbiota, intestinal bacteria, might be one of the reasons why the baby cries and squirms in all directions when he has colic. This dysbiosis might cause intestinal gas and therefore tension in the baby’s stomach. If baby has colic, this may be one of the reasons. Genetic factors, tobacco consumption during pregnancy and excessive hygiene are partly responsible.
The immature digestive system
Another element to take into account is theimmaturity of the digestive system of the infant. Babies also have colic because some of their digestive organs are not fully mature at birth. This is the case with the stomach. Around the age of 3 months, it functions normally, which would explain the fact that the baby has colic until 3-4 months.
Cow’s milk allergy
Some scientific studies suggest a possible cow’s milk protein allergy. However, the results of these studies are not unanimous. An intolerance to these proteins can actually lead to digestive disorders similar to those observed during colic. Therefore, this prompts many pediatricians to offer milk replacement if colic is suspected. If the baby has colic, this milk change must be done in agreement with the doctor. Your little one’s diet is so important that medical monitoring is essential.
Parental anxiety
Furthermore, there is also a link between theparental anxiety and baby colic. Adult nervousness might influence the infant’s state of stress, thus increasing the frequency and intensity of seizures. We think that if a baby has colic, the parents sometimes have some responsibility.
It is important to note that infant colic, although distressing for parents, represents a normal stage of child development. Currently, experts agree that no single cause can be identified to explain why baby has colic. This is certainly a likely combination of the causes previously mentioned.
How do I know if my baby has colic?
It is always difficult to know why a baby cries. This is why many parents wonder how to tell if their baby has colic. To answer this question, we will discuss all the possible symptoms in this case. If a lot of things look familiar, it’s likely that your baby has colic.
Baby cries often in the evening
THE intense crying spells, agitation or irritability appear especially in the evening in cases of baby colic. Seizures can last from a few minutes to several hours, and unfortunately, it is often difficult to calm the toddler during these moments. First of all, check that it is not hunger or fatigue.
Baby squirms a lot
When a baby has colic, he squirms a lot, moving his arms and legs and moaning. The parents sense that he is bothered by something.
Sudden awakenings crying
What causes concern among parents is the fact that when their baby has colic, he wake up at night crying loudly, abruptly, for no reason. Here too, when a baby has colic in the middle of the night, it is difficult to console him and getting him to sleep once more is sometimes impossible.
Baby has a hard and swollen stomach
In some babies, crying attacks are accompanied by a hard and swollen belly. Which suggests that if the baby writhes in pain, he has a stomach ache. All this makes the child particularly agitated during these episodes.
He is not losing weight
This digestive disorder does not lead to weight loss, an essential element in verifying the good health of an infant. When a baby has colic, it is certainly an annoying and distressing phenomenon, but it is benign for their health.
Remember that, if these symptoms are typical of colic, other conditions can cause similar behavior in infants. It is therefore crucial to consult a healthcare professional to examine the infant and make an accurate diagnosis. The observations mentioned here constitute a starting point for understanding what can disrupt your baby’s sleep and well-being, but they are in no way a substitute for competent medical advice.
4 tips to relieve baby colic
Fortunately, there are several tips to relieve baby colic and soothe these pains.
The bath to relax
And lukewarm bath can help relax the infant’s abdominal muscles and help relieve colic. This will help release tension, often the cause of intense crying in infants.
The lukewarm hot water bottle
The use of a warm hot water bottle on the child’s stomach can provide a comfortable feeling and help relieve discomfort. Be careful, however, to always check the temperature of the hot water bottle to avoid burns.
A specific pacifier
Let us also know that air in the bottle can be one of the main causes of colic. Its ingestion during meals can indeed cause abdominal pain. Making sure to dislodge the air from the bottle before giving it to the baby can then be an effective strategy for prevent colic. Also note that there are pacifiers that limit the entry of ingested air during feedings.
Don’t forget the roasts
Another natural way to relieve this pain is to encourage the baby to burp following each meal. This helps release air accumulated in the stomach, thereby reducing pressure on the abdominal muscles. Take into account that there can sometimes be several burps, even following feedings, sometimes 30 to 45 minutes later.
Here are various ways to overcome baby colic. You still have to know how to spot them. Very quickly, you will know the symptoms to look out for and will become an expert on the subject.
Sources :
- Critch J. Infant colic: do dietary interventions have a role to play? Pediatrician Child Health. 2011 Jan;16(1):50-2. French. PMID: 22211077; PMCID: PMC3043027
- Qinghui M et al. Role of Lactobacillus reuteri in Human Health and Diseases Front Microbiol. 2018; 9: 757. Published online 2018 Apr 19. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00757
- Moore DJ et al. Breath hydrogen response to milk containing lactose in colicky and non colicky infants J Pediatr 1988; 113 : 979-84
- The Best of Sacko Karamoko, Abdoul Aziz, Maiga Belco, Traore Fousseyni, Togo Pierre, Toure Amadou, Pare Helene, Traore Kalirou, Sidibe Lala N Drani, Sidibe Lala N Drani, Conate Djeneba, & Togo Boubacar. (2022). Nursing Colic: Prevalence, Clinical Aspects and Impact on Parents. 23. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE
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