Infant colic is when a baby cries for longer than three hours at a time, more than three days per week, for more than three weeks straight. New parents might feel alarmed, but it is not as serious as it sounds. While physicians differ over the exact cause of this frustrating condition, they mostly agree that there are particular remedies that may soothe the colicky baby.
One hypothesis for the cause of colic in newborn babies is that there is trapped gas in the stomach and intestines. Because babies are unable to breakdown the milk sugar content in their feed properly, they experience sharp pain after feeding because of a bloated feeling and unpleasant stomach acids. Some babies also swallow too much air while feeding, also adding to the general discomfort. Many paediatricians recommend particular homeopathic remedies to treat infant colic. Colic Calm gripe water is a 100% homeopathic blend of aloe, blackthorn, caraway, chamomile, fennel, ginger, lemon balm, peppermint and vegetable carbon. These natural ingredients encourage the body’s digestive processes, while providing calming relief. Sometimes, burping your infant or giving them a gentle colon massage can assist in relieving the symptoms and discomfort.
Additional theories point to the possible lack of healthy micro-organisms, called gut flora, as being the cause of colic in babies. The average human body has anywhere from three hundred up to one thousand different species of gut flora living in the stomach which help in the digestive process. It has been found that some babies are deficient in the specific microorganism that helps with the breakdown of the milk sugar content in baby milk feed. In this case, Pro-biotics such as a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement or Lactase have been known to help.
It has additionally been suggested, although not clinically verified, that colic and gas in babies can result from the baby having a sensitive disposition together with a nervous system that has difficulty processing all the lights and sounds of their new environment. For these babies, minimizing outside distractions can treat symptoms of infant colic. For instance, play a special baby heartbeat CD to lull the baby to sleep. As an alternative, lullaby songs, washing machines, a car ride or an infant swing have been known to relax colicky babies to sleep and prevent frequent awakenings throughout the night.
While many infant colic cases are treated with an anti-spasmodic drug found in anti-diarrhea medication called dicyclamine, other physicians say the “Five S” treatment is a more naturally effectual solution. With this remedy, Swaddle the colicky baby, place the infant on their side or stomach, make a “shhhh” sound in the baby’s ear and give the baby something to suck on, such as a pacifier.