Do infantile colic attacks occur daily?

Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
Updated on December 21, 2024
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Intestinal colic is a common phenomenon, but generally does not occur every day. Babies with intestinal colic may exhibit symptoms such as paroxysmal crying, decreased appetite, and restless sleep at night. Intestinal colic typically occurs around 6 months of age, when the baby's gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed. At this age, the baby begins to eat solid foods, and some of these foods are hard to digest, leading to gassiness. When a baby experiences intestinal gas, it can lead to intestinal colic. You can perform gas-relief exercises for the baby or massage the abdomen clockwise, which helps expel the gas from the intestines. Additionally, you can administer probiotics orally to adjust the gut flora. If the intestinal gassiness is significant, some medications can be taken orally to absorb the excess gas in the intestines and relieve the colic. Another method to try is holding the baby in an "airplane" position to alleviate discomfort.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
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How many days does infantile colic last?

Intestinal colic is a very common symptom in children, with most experiencing it at some point. Generally, it begins two weeks after birth and peaks around one month of age, although some babies may only gradually improve between four to six months. For the prevention of intestinal colic, it's important to burp the child for ten minutes after each feeding. Between feedings, massaging the abdomen clockwise helps prevent bloating. If a child experiences intestinal colic, timely abdominal massage or using the "airplane hold" can alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
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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.

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Written by Liu Li
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Baby colic usually occurs at night or during the day?

Baby colic usually occurs in the evening or around dusk. Symptoms of colic almost always appear during a specific time period, although some babies also experience crying episodes during the day or at night. Colic mostly affects babies under three months old and is a common occurrence during the growth process of a baby. When a baby experiences a colic episode, parents should hold the baby upright with the baby's head resting on their shoulder, gently patting the baby's back. This can help to expel excess gas in the stomach. Additionally, gently massaging the baby's abdomen or placing a warm water bottle on it can help relieve intestinal spasms.

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Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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How to determine if a baby has colic or is just gassy

It is very easy to distinguish whether a child has intestinal colic or bloating, although both are gastrointestinal diseases. With intestinal colic, children usually experience high levels of abdominal pain, while bloating generally does not involve pain, with children typically only showing signs of abdominal distension. Additionally, children with bloating often burp, and these burps can have a sour smell; they may also experience decreased appetite, and possibly symptoms like nausea and vomiting, making it easy to differentiate the two conditions. When a child has intestinal colic, it can be alleviated by applying heat to the abdomen or gently massaging the child's stomach. For bloating, relief can be found through taking medication that promotes digestion.

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How to treat infantile colic?

If an infant suffers from colic, it is mostly considered to be physiological colic caused by intestinal gas accumulation. The treatment methods include holding the child upright or in an airplane hold, which can alleviate the symptoms of colic to varying degrees. Regularly massaging the child's abdomen in a clockwise direction and performing gas-relief exercises can also help ease the colic. For more severe cases of colic, if the aforementioned methods do not have a noticeable effect, simethicone can be administered to the child, generally achieving satisfactory results. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)