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The medical definition of Colic is persistent, unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy baby. The crying periods in a baby with Colic is most common at two to three weeks after birth and it may last for up to three or, rarely, four months. Crying episodes are frequent and intermittent and are more likely to happen in the late afternoon and evenings. These episodes are likely to last up to three hours.
As a new parent, there is potentially nothing more stressful than hearing your newborn cry for hours and leave you powerless and helpless.
There is no single consistent and agreeable cause for Colic and it seems to be idiopathic. However, evidence such as research published in the Journal of Pediatrics in 2009 suggests that Colic maybe related to an imbalance bacterial flow in the gut or an immature digestion or nervous system. Some of the known causes of Colic can be attributed to allergies, overstimulation, and gas producing foods.
In this article however, the concentration will be on breastfeeding and the methods to reduce the instances of discomfort in newborns with this condition. Incidentally, the occurrence of Colic in both breastfed and formula fed babies is proportionately equal in newborns.
Do Not Switch Breasts
When the baby is being breastfed, the mom should avoid switching breasts in the middle of the feeding in order to create balance. This is because it has been shown that the milk at the beginning of the feeding session has significantly less protein than the final twenty percent of the flow. Mothers who switch breasts midway during the feeding, deny vital proteins and nutrition to their newborn. This can cause intestinal issues by way of lactose intolerance, and make for a colicky baby.
Control the Flow
Some of the signs that the mom’s milk flow is too rapid are choking, coughing, and struggling while being breastfed. The baby may become fussy, discouraged, or irritated if the flow is too fast. In this case use gravity to your advantage by lying down on your back while nursing or express some milk before the breastfeeding session.
Mom’s Diet
There are many foods and vegetables that are associated with Colic, but dairy seems to be the most popular one. Some larger proteins that may be present in the mother’s diet that get excreted into her milk can affect the baby.
Cow’s milk, unlike popular belief, is not meant for human beings. When proteins from cow’s milk or any dairy products that come from it appear in mother’s milk, it can result in a colicky baby. The baby’s digestion is immature and intolerant to cow’s milk. Dairy in general should be limited for seven to ten days and can be reintroduced into the diet slowly.
Soda, diet products, caffeine, and dark tea may not be directly related to colic, but it’s best to eliminate not only for the health of your baby, but yourself as well.
Finally, be patient. These few weeks may seem to last forever, but they will pass. Colic is a common condition and one out of four newborns, and their parents, suffer from it. Formula is not the answer. Once the flow is more regular and you eliminate the large proteins and have a healthier diet, your baby will latch on and stop crying. Do your research in finding what the root cause of your baby’s colic is and address it directly.
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