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Infant Colic Child Health 0069 2011 Infant Colic All babies cry some of the time, but a baby with colic cries much more of the time. Caring for a baby with colic can be stressful. Colic usually stops by about three months of age and there are no long term effects. There is help available for ‘colicky’ babies and their parents. Causes of babies crying Sometimes there is a medical reason for crying. A doctor can check for a medical Crying and being unsettled is very condition or injury that may be causing common in young babies up to the baby to cry. 4 months old. Reasons why babies cry may include: Signs and symptoms • Hunger of colic • Pain or discomfort A baby with colic may fuss and cry • Too hot or too cold intensely for some hours. The crying usually begins suddenly at about the • Need to suck same time every day, often in the late • Wind (gas in the baby’s gut) afternoon or evening. The baby is • Overtired usually calm at other times of the day • A need to be cuddled and comforted and is healthy and growing well. • Wet or dirty nappy, especially if the The baby may pull up it’s knees or baby has nappy rash stretch it’s legs out stiffly, clench it’s fists • Uncomfortable position. and scream, as if in pain. None of the usual methods (e.g., cuddling, feeding, changing nappy) seem to comfort the child. Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information. Colic usually starts within three weeks If milk flow is too fast, try expressing a of birth and lasts until three to four little breast milk before beginning the months of age when it disappears feed or if bottle feeding, try a teat with by itself. a smaller hole. What causes colic? If milk flow is too slow, check how baby is sucking or try a teat with a No one knows what causes infant colic, larger hole. but theories include: Relax and calm baby • Pain due to intestinal spasms or due Soothing strategies include: to wind (intestinal gas) • Cuddling and comforting your baby • Pain due to reflux of stomach acid • Wrapping (swaddling) – some babies back up the oesophagus feel comforted when wrapped snugly • The baby’s intestines have not yet • A pacifier (dummy) – may help calm a fully matured baby with a strong need to suck • The baby is anxious • Movement such as rocking, patting, • The baby senses parent’s anxiety or walking with the baby in a sling, family stress driving in the car, riding in a pram • Food sensitivities or allergies the baby • Soft music – try something with a may have. If the baby is breastfed, definite beat or rhythm. A ticking symptoms may be related to the clock may help mother’s diet • A warm bath • Smoking – there is some evidence that • Gentle massage of stomach a woman who smokes is more likely and shoulders. to have a baby with colic. If colic occurs at a regular time, it may Self care help to relax the baby before the usual colic time begins. Parents may need to try different approaches to find out what (if Take care of yourself anything) makes a difference to their Work out some coping strategies baby’s colic. such as: Relieve wind • Be patient – colic usually stops when Babies may swallow air when crying or the baby is about 3 months old feeding. Air may be swallowed during • Prepare for evening colic (e.g., prepare feeding because milk flow is too fast or the evening meal early, rest during too slow, or because baby is sucking on the day) an empty breast or bottle. Burping the • Take a break – ask a relative or friend baby after a feed can reduce wind. to look after the baby for a while To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au • Share your thoughts and feelings with someone else. It is normal for parents Important in this situation to feel helpless Consult your doctor promptly if you and frustrated feel you are not coping or if your • Share caring for the baby and the baby has: cooking and household duties with • Blood in his/her bowel motions someone else • Blood or a green tinge in his/her • Make feeding time quiet and relaxed vomit • Keep the phone number of the • Loss of appetite (refusing feeds or Australian Breast Feeding Association, feeding less) or fails to gain weight or a helpline, close at hand • Woken up over and over in the • Learn and use relaxation techniques night, with screaming not related to • Remember – you are not to blame and feeding colic will not harm the baby. Babies • Vomiting and/or diarrhoea that with colic still grow and develop is getting worse or has lasted for normally more than 24 hours • Don’t smoke near your baby – it may make colic worse. • Constipation If you feel frustrated, maybe even to the • Changed from being alert when point of shaking the baby, put the baby awake, to being sluggish down in the cot and leave the room • Severe, long lasting swelling of the until the feeling goes. belly Never shake a baby – it may cause • A high temperature (38°C or more). permanent damage. Remember Medicines • Comfort your baby if she/he seems distressed. Certain medicines may help to settle a baby with colic. • Always check with a doctor before deciding a baby’s crying is colic. For example, simethicone helps gas • Consult a pharmacist or doctor bubbles in the stomach and intestines to before giving any medicines to escape more easily and may help if the a baby. baby has wind. • Never shake a baby. There is no scientific evidence that herbal medicines help with colic. To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au Pharmacists are medicines experts. For more information Ask a pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine Australian Breast Feeding Association (formerly Nursing Mothers) Related fact cards Listed under ‘A’ in the white pages of the phone book Nappy Rash Website: www.breastfeeding.asn.au Relaxation techniques Your local Baby, Child or Infant Smoking Health Centre Vomiting and Diarrhoea Listed in the white pages of the phone book. Lifeline Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours, Australia-wide) Website: www.lifeline.org.au Healthdirect Australia Phone: 1800 022 222 Website: www.healthinsite.gov.au Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) Your pharmacist can advise on CMI leaflets. National Prescribing Service (NPS) Medicines Information Phone: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) Website: www.nps.org.au The Poisons Information Centre In case of poisoning phone 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia. Your Self Care Pharmacy: Reviewed August 2009, Published February 2011. © Pharmaceutical Society of Australia www.psa.org.au.
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