Abdominal pain in infants in the first weeks of life is often caused by gases or ‘colic’, in technical jargon.
In this post, discover the causes and natural remedies to treat baby colic.
What is baby colic?
Infantile colic is a gastrointestinal condition that affects approximately a quarter of the infant population.
It occurs during the first three months of life and is most common in babies from six weeks of age.
This phenomenon includes severe abdominal pain, excessive crying, convulsions and clenched fists.
Although it is considered a temporary problem, it is a major source of anxiety for babies and parents.
Colic in babies is probably one of the most common reasons why parents seek medical advice in the first three months of their baby’s life.
What causes baby colic?
Some of the reasons why colic may occur in babies include:
- Immaturity of the baby’s digestive system
- Sensitivity to lactose that baby food may contain.
- If the baby cries during feeding or eats too quickly, he may swallow air, causing gases to form.
- Sometimes it is wrongly thought that the baby is hungry when he cries, which can lead to him being overfed.
This taxes the digestive system and increases abdominal pain. - Smoking while breastfeeding can also worsen the phenomenon.
- Apparently parental anxiety can also contribute to baby colic, as babies born to experienced parents seem to be less affected by this problem.
Basic rules to prevent baby colic
Foods to add or remove from your diet
If you are breastfeeding, know that your diet has a major impact on your baby’s gases.
It is advisable to feed you and your baby a light and digestible diet, cooked food, especially stews from whole grains and vegetables.
You should also avoid or reduce caffeine, tropical fruits, dairy products, pastries, and spicy foods.
Don’t limit breastfeeding time, give your baby all the milk fat he/she needs and balance his/her sugar levels.
Take your baby for a walk to relieve colic
Walking with the baby on your hands or in a baby carrier while making small jumps can relieve some of the gas.
Gentle jumps on a Swiss ball can also help.
Sometimes just walking in the clear air and a change of atmosphere, for him and for you, will soothe your baby.
Songs, music and soothing sounds can sometimes help soothe the baby with colic.
Positions that can relieve baby colic
Discover the position that makes it easier for your baby.
There are different postures, two of them are:
The ‘tiger’ position, where you place the baby on your forearm, belly down and legs and arms on either side of your arm.
And the ‘fetal position’, where you place the baby with his stomach on your shoulder,
Then you sit on a chair and bend forward towards your knees with his face down.
Try different positions and discover what makes it easier for the baby during gas attacks.
Helpful positions vary for babies with colic.
Home remedies for treating baby colic
Massage with chamomile oil
Abdominal and foot massages can help relieve flatulence.
In the abdomen you need to make circular movements.
Care should be taken in the direction of movements depending on the direction of conduction of the colon.
Chamomile is known as a painkiller and also stimulates the digestive process.
Therefore, you can use olive oil mixed with chamomile essential oil or chamomile infused oil.
When massaging the feet, use circular movements and gently press the feet against the abdomen.
Warm bath with lavender essential oil
A warm and soothing bath sometimes relieves gas and abdominal pain in infants.
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the bath as it can soothe restlessness, relieve pain and also disinfect.
Fennel seed infusion to relieve colic in babies
Most products designed to relieve gas contain the active ingredient in fennel, Terpenoid Anethole.
This substance calms the movement of soft muscles in the body and is most effective in soothing spasms in the digestive system.
If you are breastfeeding, drink fennel seed infusion three times a day. This relieves gas for both you and your baby.
To make the infusion, simply grind a teaspoon of fennel seeds and add them to a glass of boiling water.
You can smash them with a mortar and pestle or any other clean, heavy tool from your kitchen.
Let it steep for about 15 minutes, strain and drink.
Caraway seeds
Soak the caraway seeds in boiling water for about 15 minutes, strain them, sweeten them with a little sugar and let them cool.
Use a dropper to give a few drops of this infusion to the baby three times a day.
Remark:
Try to avoid using various products called “natural preparations” for the treatment of flatulence in infants.
Most of these products are uncontrolled and some may even contain alcohol.
Consult a pediatrician before deciding to use any preparation.
Finally, remember that warmth and love are the best treatment.
Don’t despair, baby colic is a temporary condition that will eventually go away on its own.