How long does infant colic last?

Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
Updated on December 24, 2024
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The duration of colic in each baby varies. It is brief, lasting only a few seconds in mild cases, and can extend to several minutes or even longer in severe instances. Symptoms of colic include paroxysmal crying, decreased appetite, and restless sleep at night. Colic generally occurs in babies around six months old. At this stage, a baby's gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed, and the introduction of solid foods can make digestion difficult, leading to gas and bloating.

If a baby experiences intestinal gas, this can lead to colic. To help relieve this, you can perform gas relief exercises with your baby, such as clockwise abdominal massage, which helps release the gas inside the intestines and alleviate colic. Additionally, administering probiotics to the baby can help regulate intestinal flora. If the gas is prominent, simethicone can be orally administered to absorb excess gas in the intestines and relieve pain.

(Use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Is the baby's rumbling stomach intestinal colic?

A child's stomach making gurgling noises doesn't necessarily mean they have intestinal colic; it could be due to indigestion. The main symptom of intestinal colic is severe abdominal pain, which usually isn't accompanied by gurgling sounds. If a child does have intestinal colic, they may exhibit symptoms such as incessant crying and abdominal spasms, whereas gurgling sounds are typically caused by the incomplete development of the digestive tract in children, leading to gas formation as food moves through the intestines. If the child does not display symptoms like abdominal distension, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, treatment may not be necessary. However, if such symptoms are present, it could be due to conditions like enteritis or dysentery, and it is advisable for parents to take their child to a reputable hospital for an examination.

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Can infantile colic cause vomiting milk?

Intestinal colic can cause vomiting. There are many reasons for intestinal colic, mainly due to the incorrect nursing posture of the mother and the baby swallowing a large amount of air when crying, leading to intestinal bloating, which then causes intestinal irritation. Additionally, it could be due to the high protein and sugar content in breast milk or formula, which increases the load on the baby's digestive system, leading to intestinal bloating and stimulating bleeding from intestinal colic. Any painful stimulus can lead to intestinal colic in babies. During pain, some of the body's emergency responses, such as gastrointestinal spasms and stomach contractions, can lead to vomiting. Therefore, it is crucial to control the diet for babies experiencing abdominal pain, especially those diagnosed with intestinal colic. It is important to monitor whether the baby has symptoms like abdominal bloating or abnormal stools. In daily life, adopting a diet of frequent small meals can help reduce acute intestinal occurrences and minimize irritation to the intestinal walls.

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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.

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How long does infant colic last?

Intestinal colic is a very common disease and symptom in children, generally affecting 10%-20% of them. It usually occurs two to four weeks after birth, peaks between four to six weeks, and generally improves by four to six months. Once intestinal colic occurs, children will repeatedly cry, so prevention is essential. After each feeding, make sure to burp the child for ten minutes and massage the abdomen clockwise between feedings to prevent gas buildup and alleviate the symptoms of intestinal colic. If a child does suffer from intestinal colic, it is crucial to apply a warm compress to their stomach and massage the abdomen clockwise to relieve the condition.

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Can infantile colic cause constipation?

Infantile colic can cause constipation. It is first important to understand that colic is caused by abnormal intestinal movements and stimulation of the intestinal mucosa, leading to pain symptoms. This is often due to increased intestinal gas or constipation, which disrupt normal intestinal movements and thus also cause symptoms of constipation. In such cases, one can first try abdominal massage to promote intestinal movements and help the expulsion of gas and stool, thereby alleviating symptoms. Additionally, taking probiotics orally can regulate gastrointestinal function and aid in digestion and absorption. Attention should also be paid to dietary adjustments, preferably eating light and easily digestible food to reduce the production of intestinal gas and alleviate its symptoms. If symptoms persist for a long time without significant relief, it is still necessary to have a specialist doctor examine and prescribe medication accordingly.