Colic - screaming the place down?

Colic has long been blamed on inexperienced parenting, family stress, or problems with the mum and baby relationship. The baby might have a difficult temperament: an active, awake, busy and tense baby is more likely, according to research, to have colic. Or mum might simply be burnt out at the end of the day, and baby is picking up on her frazzled vibes. Parents probably find this explanation for colic more worrying than any other, but be assured that there is no evidence to support such claims.

It’s normal

All babies cry, it’s the only way they can get their needs met. Colic is just at the extreme end of what is normal.

What to do

There is no definitive advice as to how to conquer colicky crying. In a recent British Medical Journal article, 27 controlled trials of treatments for colic were reviewed and the authors concluded that there is enough evidence to indicate that removing cow’s milk protein from baby’s diet was useful. They suggest, therefore, that breastfeeding mothers should eliminate cow’s milk from their diet, altogether. If your baby’s colic seems to be persistent it may be worth exploring this option with your doctor or health visitor.

There is currently no research to show that low lactose milks, fibre enriched milks or simethicone (wind medication) are helpful. Nor, surprisingly, that carrying and holding your baby eases their colic. There was also insufficient evidence to ascertain whether chiropractic, sounds or herbal teas are of any use. Basically, the research isn’t there to tell us what is going to help, so it comes down to personal trial and error.

Colic action check list:

• Eliminate other possible causes for crying
• Make sure your baby is clean, fed, not too hot, not too cold
• Could they be teething?
• Are they well?
• If crying is persistent you should visit your doctor to rule out other causes for the distress.
• With bottle fed babies - try using a smaller hole on the teat to slow down the flow of milk
• With breast fed babies try feeding with the baby lying on your tummy so that they have to suck milk upwards, slowing down the flow
• Always burp your baby after their feeds
• Offering the breast, a bottle or dummy might distract a colicky baby for a while.
• You might be able to calm them down with cuddles or rocking.
• Take them for a walk in the pram, carry them in a sling, drive around with them in the car
• Soothing sounds could do the trick. Play relaxation tapes, womb sounds, or sing. Some babies are comforted by noises like the washing machine or vacuum cleaner. If it works, go for it
• Offer baby the sensuous treat of a warm bath and gentle massage
• Or try wrapping a warm towel around their tummy
• Simply try lying with your baby - the warmth of your body combined with your heart beat may do the trick
• You could try pedalling baby’s legs in a cycling motion to help them get rid of wind.