Dealing with Colic Pain
August 10, 2009
It is quite natural for babies to cry. Babies cry for several reasons. Colic is one of the reasons that make babies cry excessively. Colic is abdominal pain that babies often experience. It usually occurs a few weeks after the child’s birth. The pain usually subsides after the infant is three months old.
Colic causes
The factors responsible for triggering colic in infants are not quite clear. It is believed that the pain arises as the digestive system of the infant adjusts to the food processing function. The pain subsides as the stomach muscles gradually learn how to direct the food through the digestive tract.
Absence of probiotics, that aid digestion, could also be responsible for colic. Over the months as probiotics start growing in the stomach, colic pain gradually decreases. If lactating mothers eat vegetables that cause flatulence, the infant might also suffer from colic pain.
The chemicals or allergens enter the baby’s stomach through breast milk, causing gas. Gas formation could also occur if children swallow too much air while crying.
Symptoms of colic
According to pediatricians, a baby who cries for at least three hours each day, at least thrice every week for about three months is probably suffering from colic. The symptoms usually occur round about the same time during the day or night. The baby may cry after meals. While crying the baby will clench his fists tightly and his legs will be curled up.
Colic home remedies
It is extremely frustrating for parents to see their babies experiencing colic pain. You can try to comfort your baby with some gentle rocking or swinging movements. To help your child pass the gas trapped in his stomach, gentle massage his back and abdomen. Bathing your baby in lukewarm water could help to alleviate his pain. You can also place a hot pad on your baby’s stomach to reduce his/her pain.
Pour a cup of boiling water over a quarter teaspoon of fennel seeds. You can also add two teaspoons of dry catnip leaves. Allow the fennel seeds and catnip leaves to soak in the hot water for about ten minutes. Strain this mixture and allow it to cool. Give your baby this herbal tea to reduce the pain.
While breastfeeding, moms should stay away from cabbages, beans and spicy foods that are responsible for gas formation.
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