Colic in a child – causes, symptoms, treatment, prognosis, prevention

Colic is a condition that may appear around 5-6 weeks of age. The first symptoms are usually very similar to each other and usually appear in the afternoon or late evening. Typical symptoms of colic include a bloated and hard abdomen, red spots on the face, and nervous tightening of the legs. There are also other characteristic symptoms of a baby’s gastrointestinal malfunction. The baby also starts crying loudly. How to stop a colic attack? How long does colic lasts in a child?

Colic in a child – symptoms

Symptoms of infant colic, as mentioned, are usually noticeable in the afternoon after feeding in the morning. The colic attack may then last for several hours, during which the baby is very irritable. It is very difficult to calm an infant. A child’s colic is associated with abdominal distension, gas or stool (at the end of a colic attack). The baby may run down and sometimes vomit. Unpleasant symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are accompanied by abdominal tightening, leg contraction and body tension. According to specific criteria, colic can be diagnosed if a child under 5 months of age cries frequently and for a long time, is restless and irritable. However, colic can also appear in babies over 6 months of age. It is worth bearing in mind that if your baby is colic, hugging him or her will allow the baby to calm down for a while, and then crying will resume. If the baby is colic-free then it will calm down right after you hug it.

Colic in a child – causes

The specific causes of colic in a child have not been established, but it is assumed that the primary mistake made by the parents is the wrong way of feeding the infant. However, the cause may be problems related to insufficient development of the baby’s digestive tract and nervous system. Colic can also be caused by a baby swallowing too much air while crying or feeding him. This, in turn, causes a build-up of gas that leads to bloating and stomach soreness. Another cause of colic in a child may be a protein defect or lactose intolerance. Lactose is a disaccharide that occurs naturally in both breast milk and animal milk. Please note that some children are simply intolerant to this sugar – this is due to a lack or reduced amount of an enzyme (lactase) that breaks down lactose. Some people believe that the cause of the baby’s colic is the mother’s irritability and depressed mood. Then, feeding is ineffective, the baby becomes stressed, which reduces its proper absorption of food. This stress in a child can also be a cause of colic. An infant is exposed to it especially when it stays around many people on a given day (too many received stimuli).

Colic in a child – treatment

The first and most important step is to stay cool. If we get nervous, the baby will sense this and the colic will continue. It is important that the baby is hugged when crying – it must sense the closeness of the parent. There are several home remedies for fighting colic, one of which is the right way to carry your baby in your arms. It is based on the fact that when carrying a baby, we should keep it so that its head is higher than the rest of the body. The belly should lie close to the parent’s forearm. This positioning of the child will allow the removal of accumulated gases.

The second way is to place the baby on its tummy on the parent’s body – the baby feels the parent’s proximity, and it is also a position that will facilitate the evacuation of gases. A good method in the fight against colic in a child is to massage his tummy. You should make gentle clockwise movements. Later, the technique should be modified by massaging the tummy with the right and left hands. Make a semicircle with your right hand and a circular movement with your left hand. Nursing mothers can drink tea that has anti-colic properties. The ingredients of such a preparation easily penetrate into the milk. You can also give your baby a colic reliever – these are preparations containing chamomile and fennel. You can buy EKO fennel (fruit) and an EKO chamomile basket to prepare teas at Medonet Market. Anti-colic preparations used by the mother and given to the child must not be combined. You can also try making warm compresses with a hot water bottle or cold-hot compresses, which are available in pharmacies. In some cases, a warm bath is helpful.

You can buy a hot water bottle in a fluffy cover in the shape of a hippo or a sheep at Medonet Market at a promotional price.

Colic in a child – prognosis

Every child is different, so try all the methods very often and see which works for you. However, if your child’s colic recurs for more than 4-5 days, go to the pediatrician.

Colic in a child – prevention

The right way of feeding can prevent colic attacks. While breastfeeding, you should not eat dairy products or vegetables that cause gas. It’s a good idea to put your baby on their tummy right before feeding. This allows any accumulated gases to escape. Make sure your baby is full of food. Take short breaks while feeding and let the air rebound.