What to do about infantile colic?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 12, 2024
00:00
00:00

Infantile colic is generally spasm-induced pain in the intestines. During acute episodes, a hot water bottle can be applied to the abdomen to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction can promote intestinal peristalsis, thus facilitating the expulsion of gas and bowel movements, which helps relieve symptoms of intestinal colic. Furthermore, dietary considerations are crucial for infants experiencing colic. Consumption of foods high in animal proteins such as milk, eggs, and fish may trigger colic episodes. Therefore, it is advisable to consume more vegetables and fruits which are rich in rough fibers, as they promote bowel movements and can reduce the frequency of colic episodes.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
52sec home-news-image

How to deal with colic in a 40-day-old baby?

It is very common for babies to experience intestinal colic, especially because the gastrointestinal system of a 40-day-old baby is not yet fully developed. In such cases, you can perform a clockwise massage on the child's abdomen, centered around the navel, for ten minutes each time. You can also do some gas relief exercises for the child, which are beneficial in alleviating intestinal colic. Additionally, you can hold the child in an airplane hold, or use a warm towel to apply heat to the baby's abdomen to relieve intestinal spasms and colic. If the baby's intestinal colic remains particularly severe, it may be necessary to administer some medications that adjust the intestinal flora. Also, it is advisable to engage the child in more outdoor activities to prevent crying due to calcium deficiency.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can you breastfeed during intestinal colic?

If an infant experiences colic, during an episode, the child will exhibit localized pain causing crying and irritability, generally making it difficult to feed. Firstly, it is necessary to alleviate the symptoms of colic. This can be done by choosing to massage the abdomen clockwise to promote intestinal gas expulsion. Additionally, it is appropriate to orally administer probiotics or simethicone to aid intestinal motility. Applying heat to the infant’s abdomen and ensuring it is kept warm are also beneficial. As colic episodes usually involve severe crying, using the "airplane hold" can help alleviate localized symptoms. Once the child's symptoms subside, feeding can then be resumed, ensuring the quality of feeding is not compromised by pain, which could otherwise lead to insufficient feeding and consequently cause the next hunger episode to occur sooner.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

Will the baby still have intestinal colic if they fart a lot?

Children who fart frequently may also experience intestinal colic, which usually results from indigestion caused by various reasons. Some children may swallow a lot of air while feeding, which can also lead to colic. However, if a child farts a lot, it can indicate that the air in the abdomen has been expelled, and the likelihood of colic occurring under these circumstances is relatively small. But there are also some pathological factors that could lead to colic, so excessive farting does not necessarily mean that colic will not occur. It is suggested that when a child suffers from colic, parents can use heat application as a local treatment, which is very helpful in relieving the child's pain symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

Does not crying after an airplane hug mean intestinal colic?

Infant colic, commonly occurring in about 20% of babies, is defined as a condition in healthy infants under three months old who cry for at least three hours per day, at least three days per week. The symptoms of infant colic usually start between two to four weeks of age and improve by three to six months. To alleviate the symptoms, one can gently rub the baby's belly clockwise and use a holding position known as the "airplane hold." This involves holding the baby in a prone position, lying face down on the parent's hand, resembling the posture of flying in an airplane. The "airplane hold" mainly helps to relieve gastrointestinal gas and colic in babies, and it generally lasts for about 30 minutes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
53sec home-news-image

Symptoms timing of infantile colic

The symptoms of infantile colic are sudden bouts of crying, during which the child's face turns very red, their hands clenched into fists, and their stomach distended. The child may also be difficult to console. To alleviate these symptoms, it is recommended to apply warm compresses to the child's abdomen and massage the abdomen to relieve intestinal gas and colic. Colic is generally more common at night and usually occurs in babies between one and three months old. To prevent colic, it is important to burp the child for ten minutes after each feeding and to massage the child’s abdomen in a clockwise direction between feedings. When colic occurs, applying a warm compress to the abdomen and massaging in a clockwise direction can help, as well as holding the child in an "airplane" hold.