Coping with Colic in Breastfed Babies

Colic is a situation in a newborn infant, which consists of a pattern of inconsolable crying which starts days or a couple of weeks after birth and will normally be cured after around 3 months of age. Of all infant illnesses, colic is a mystery since it is not known for sure why it occurs in infants. Although there are many theories of its reasons and its cure, none of them is medically proven or applicable to all babies universally. Colic comes from a Greek term which means “suffering in the colon” so it can be assumed that the baby suffers discomfort in the abdomen because of which the baby is upset. It follows the Rule of the Threes which states that colic starts within the first three weeks of life, lasts at least three hours a day, occurs at least three days a week, continues for three weeks and diminishes around three months of age.

One of the conditions that are thought to lead to colic is feeding at both breasts; when a baby nurses at a breast for a significant period of time, the foremilk changes to hind milk which is rich in fat content. If the breast is suddenly changed, the baby may get lesser fat and more sugar which can cause digestive problems. Let the baby feed at one breast for as long as it wants making sure it is well latched on and swallowing properly. If after finishing nursing at that breast, the baby still wants more, offer it the other breast.

If the baby is not properly latched onto the breast, it maybe inhaling a large amount of air instead of milk therefore, making the baby gassy and uncomfortable. In such cases, it is a good idea to use a breast pump to pump and store milk to feed the baby. Milk given through bottles is much easier for the baby to swallow, but pumped milk should only be given once your baby has learnt how to breastfeed. Manual and electric breast pumps can be easily bought online from websites like www.trusted-breast-pumps.com and used at work or at home. Babies may also become fussy because of certain food items in the mother’s diet such as ice cream, milk, yogurt, cream, nuts etc. Processed foods and artificial sweeteners can cause fussiness in the baby as well since these products contain protein that may enter human milk. So, if the baby exhibits such behavior, avoid eating those foods. Eliminate dairy products from the diet and see if there is any change in the baby’s behavior; if not, then slowly reintroduce dairy products in the diet.

If a baby gets too much milk very quickly, it can become fussy and irritable; it might return to the breast but will not be satisfied and may even refuse the breast completely. Feed the baby before it starts crying, feed in a calm atmosphere, drain the first breast before turning to the other. Lying down to nurse can also help the baby to suck milk effectively. A newborn infant’s stomach is still unsettled and the baby may also be overwhelmed with its surroundings, the new source of food and may be nervous to suck milk properly.

Generally, there is no sound treatment of colic that can reassure the baby’s comfort but still a few remedies can be tried by desperate parents. Feed the baby slowly but more frequently; since a rapid rush of milk can cause intestinal pain. Certain ways of holding the baby by placing it on the arm and massaging its tummy can also help relieve the baby’s pain. A couple of practices can help when the baby is having a colic attack; place the baby on your lap with its legs towards you and head on the knees, move the legs in a bicycle motion. Giving the baby a warm bath, a massage on the back or even a ride outside can help calm the baby. Most fussy babies tend to be more silent while they are being held; usually the more-held babies are apt to remain calm and satisfied than those who are not held frequently.

Most parents feel frustrated and overwhelmed while dealing with a colic baby; since babies cannot relate the reason of their distress, parents desperately wonder why their baby is crying inconsolably. Parents need to be able to recognize the symptoms of colic immediately while ensuring that the condition is colic and not any medical illness. They need to learn how to deal with it wisely, patiently and practically rather than getting scared and frustrated. It is usually not the parent’s fault if their baby contracts colic since approximately 20% of babies suffer from colic. It is a condition that remedies itself and only requires the support and patience of parents.

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