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Milk Protein Allergy

Casein and whey are the most abundant proteins in milk. When a baby reacts negatively to cow’s milk protein, an irritation and inflammation may occur. You may notice trace amounts of blood or stringy mucus in the diaper of an infant with this condition. Studies suggest up to 3% of babies may have some form of milk protein allergy. You should consult your pediatrician promptly if you suspect your child is reacting to cow’s milk protein or another food.

There are several types of allergic reactions that can be seen as a result of milk including: reflux, sleeplessness, crying, not gaining weight, excessive gas, stomach pain, loose stools, frequently vomits up whole feeds, diarrhea, runny, green stools, raised red blotches on the skin (hives).

Your pediatrician may also have you eliminate all dairy and soy (or other foods) from your diet (if breastfeeding) or if formula feeding. He may recommend a hypoallergenic formula. You can then observe for symptom resolution.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Lactose Intolerance

Despite the superficial similarity to a milk protein allergy, this is in fact a completely different issue. Lactose is a sugar contained in all types of milk. Individuals with lactose intolerance are unable to produce sufficient quantities of the enzyme lactase to break down and digest this sugar properly. This is sometimes associated with gas, bloating and even diarrhea.

This condition in babies is sometimes referred to as transient lactase deficiency (TLD). Though being lactose intolerant is fairly common among adults, it is rare among babies. Nature has evolved most babies to produce adequate levels of lactase in order to digest milk. If the condition arises in infants or young children, it is usually associated with damage to the gut, like a recent diarrheal infection. This is why it is called transient or secondary lactose intolerance. Though some argue that a lactose reduced formula is helpful for some babies, no studies show that the addition of lactase to a baby’s diet is beneficial. Even preterm babies have a mechanism to digest lactose, despite being born with insufficient levels of lactase.

If you suspect your child has a transient lactase deficiency, treatment usually involves switching to a lactose reduced free formula (for bottle fed babies) or liquid lactase enzyme supplementation (for breasted babies). Colic Calm is not intended to treat the underlying cause of TLD.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Food Sensitivities

Studies suggest that a mother’s diet may affect her breastfed baby. Specific foods contain trace elements that can be passed through breast milk creating reactions in baby’s gut.

Foods linked to gassiness in babies include dairy, cruciferous vegetables, wheat, nuts, citrus fruits, coffee, strawberries, chocolate, tomatoes, eggs and soy to name a few.

If you suspect a food you are eating is causing your baby to be gassy or fussy, your doctor may suggest keeping a food diary and tracking your baby’s symptoms. Then you can try eliminating foods one by one to see if the reaction is diminished.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Fourth Trimester Theory

In his book, “The Happiest Baby on the Block”, pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp proposes the missing fourth trimester theory to explain colic. Namely that colic is the result of a baby’s immature nervous system being disturbed by nerve signals occurring before a bowel movement known as the gastro-colic reflex. In addition, Dr. Karp believes the absence of rich sensations available in the womb may be causing a baby distress.

Dr. Harvey recommends the application of the “5 S’s” be performed in combination to calm and sooth babies’ restlessness; swaddling, side stomach position, shushing sounds, swinging, and sucking through the use of a pacifier. These steps are intended to reproduce the reassuring environment that baby experienced in the womb.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Baby's External Environment

The postpartum blues affects most new mothers to some degree. It was once believed that colic was caused by a mother’s emotional condition. While there is evidence that a mother’s mood can affect her baby’s temperament it is not the cause of colic and certainly no parent should blame his or herself for a child’s colicky symptoms.

While a colicky baby is guaranteed to cause a mother to stress, there is no evidence that colic is caused by a mother’s state of mind. Colic is not caused by bad parenting or baby somehow sensing emotions from either parent. In fact, a 1991 study concluded that mothers who were coached to carry their colicky baby’s and to be more “responsive” had no reduction in crying.

However, since babies are sensitive to their surroundings too much stimulation or emotional stress may aggravate baby’s colic if the condition is already present. Some overstimulated babies may respond to environmental changes, like a different carrying position or taking a walk. White noise. swaddling, lunges or snug carrying can calm the overstimulated baby. Colic will cause stress for the entire family and especially mom. Talk to a friend or family member and stay positive. Taking action such as the suggestions listed below can help overcome the feeling of frustration and helplessness. If possible try to share the load by enlisting a reliable caregiver such as a friend or family member.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Bacterial Imbalance in the Gut

The importance of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to the digestive process has been well known for over a century. Probiotics have a number of roles in the gut. A few of the proposed roles for probiotics include inhibiting toxic bacteria and supplementing the gut’s digestive enzymes to help process nutrients in food. Babies’ guts are sterile when they are born and it takes months for them to accumulate flora to fill their intestines.

It is unclear if it is the absence of benevolent bacteria or simply the presence of bad bacteria that cause baby’s digestive discomfort. However, several studies show supplementation of probiotics (i.e. benevolent bacteria) can reduce the duration of colic in infants.

Supplementing an infant’s diet with certain probiotic drops, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri, may reduce colic symptoms if performed consistently over a period of several weeks. Use of Colic Calm as needed should alleviate excess digestive discomfort during the period of multiple weeks that probiotics require to take effect.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Trapped Intestinal Gas

The digestive process is regulated by a complex nervous system (called the enteric system). Food and liquids are pushed through the gut by special muscles in a wave-like motion called peristalsis. Since babies’ nervous systems by definition are immature, their digestive systems are literally learning to function.

When gas, which is a natural by-product of digestion, becomes trapped, a baby’s immature digestive system may be unable to cope.

74% of parents we polled said their babies displayed colic like symptoms as well as signs of intestinal bloating such as, a hard distended abdomen and signs of “pushing” or “straining” as if during a bowel movement. 62% said colic symptoms disappeared following a bowel movement or passing gas.

In some instances, building pressure to pass gas can make a baby reflux or throw-up.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

Gastro-esophageal Reflux (GER)

In his book “Colic Solved”, pediatrician Bryan Vartabedian postulates that reflux is a common cause of colic. While all babies will reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, only some babies will experience discomfort or other symptoms related to their reflux. Reflux/spitting up tends to peak at age 4 months while colic symptoms seem to start to ease at the four month mark. However, in many cases, parents and doctors may feel that reflux is related to a baby’s fussiness.

Since the 1990’s there has been a 10-fold increase in the use of the reflux drugs known as PPIs and H2 antagonists to treat infant colic. These synthetic drugs suppress the body’s production of stomach acid. Disrupting the stomach’s natural acidity has led to concerns about risk for infection and malabsorption of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, B12, and iron. The FDA has not approved these drugs for use in infants under 12 months of age for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.

Clinical studies suggest that reflux drugs are ineffective at treating colic and that reflux is only a factor in a small minority of cases. According to Dr. Eric Hassall, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, multiple trials have shown no improvement in reflux symptoms with the use of certain acid suppressants compared to placebo.

* Always consult your doctor for medical opinions before treatment of your child’s condition.

 

The Cause and Treatment of Newborn, Infant and Baby Colic

Reviewed by on January 15, 2014

What are the Symptoms of Colic?

It is fairly common for babies to go through periods when they appear abnormally irritable, fussy, or seem to cry for no reason. Some babies are fussier than others and may even be described as “colicky.” Colic can be defined as excessive crying or fussiness, usually in the late afternoon. It starts around 2 weeks and generally resolves or is resolving by 12 weeks. Rarely does it endure past six months of age. Pediatricians often use Wessel’s criteria, referred to as the rule of 3s, to define colic: inconsolable crying for 3 hours per day, at least 3 times a week for at least 3 weeks, though in practice, colic may be more loosely defined. About 25 percent of babies worldwide meet the official “Rule of Threes” criteria for medical diagnosis of colic.

Some associated symptoms of colic may be clenching of the fists, arching of the back, or tensing of the abdomen. Bouts tend to come on suddenly and end suddenly, and the cry may sound more intense to parents. Colicky babies may be extremely difficult to console. If you suspect your baby is suffering from colic, compare your child’s symptoms with the list below. Our poll of thousands of parents illustrates the frequency of nine common signs in infants meeting at least two of the Wessel criteria for colic. Overall, 84% reported at least 5 of the signs below.

Symptom / Sign Frequency
1. Cries vigorously for long periods, despite efforts to console*
100%
2. Symptoms begin and end abruptly without warning
92%
3. During episodes; baby arches back, pulls knees to chest, clenches fists, flails arms and legs
90%
4. Baby experiences disrupted sleep patterns
83%
5. Crying begins around the same time each day or night
77%
6. Shows signs of gas such as; abdominal bloating or a hard distended stomach
74%
7. Symptoms begin after meal times
70%
8. Symptoms cease after a bowel movement or passing gas
62%
9. Baby spits up frequently**
46%

Notes: * Inconsolable crying is part of the Wessel definition of colic. Thus, all colicky infants fit this criteria. ** The fact that relatively few parents reported excessive spit-up, which is quite common in babies anyway, suggests that reflux is not a factor in most cases of colic.

Compare your child’s symptoms to the observations of other parents.

Take this quick colic symptom survey.
colic symptom survey

Parents may describe their baby’s cry as more piercing, painful or intense compared to his normal cry. Parents often think of colicky pain as an acute abdominal pain, but since colicky babies cannot describe exactly what distresses them, it is hard for parents to know the precise cause of their distress.

To compare your child’s symptoms to the observations of other parents or start a conversation, take our short colic symptom survey.

 
 
  • milk protein allergy
  • lactose intolerance
  • food sensitivities
  • fourth trimester theory
  • external environment
  • bacterial imbalance
  • trapped gas
  • ger

While there are many theories about colic, there is no single consistent cause that experts all agree upon. The interactive chart above illustrates eight possible causes. A lot of evidence suggests that colic may be caused in different ways in different babies. There appear to be several contributing factors that, when occurring in combination, are likely to result in colic pain and discomfort:

  • Newborns have an immature digestive system that has never processed food. The gastrointestinal system is literally just learning to function. Muscles that support digestion have not developed the proper rhythm for moving food efficiently thought the digestive tract. Additionally, newborns lack the benevolent bacterial flora (probiotics) that develop over time to aid digestion. A more mature gut may explain why infants tend to outgrow colic symptoms by 6 months of age.
  • A mother may notice that certain foods make her baby more fussy. For example, trace elements of cow’s milk protein, onions, cruciferous vegetables, or chocolate may be passed via breast milk to baby and cause gas and bloating. In those cases, keeping a food log and trying an elimination diet may help.
  • Gastro-esophageal Reflux (GER)Infants often swallow air while feeding or during strenuous crying, which increases gas and bloating, further adding to their discomfort.
  • Since infants’ nervous systems are so immature, it is possible for them to get overloaded with unfamiliar sights and sounds. Infants that are easily overloaded often experience more severe colic, fussiness, and difficulty sleeping later in the day or at night. In general, the more activity (errands, visitors, television, phones, etc.) in a baby’s day, the higher the chances of baby becoming colicky and fussy.

What Treatment Options are Available to Relieve Baby Colic?

Colic, and the months of distress and sleeplessness that it brings to both infants and parents, can leave you feeling frantic, frustrated, worried, exhausted, confused, guilty and inadequate. Foremost, it is essential to build and maintain a loving bond with your infant. If your baby experiences colic that does not appear to dissipate, you will probably be looking for a safe, natural and effective colic remedy to ease your baby’s suffering. There are several treatments available for baby colic. As always, you should consult your pediatrician first before giving baby any medications, remedies or supplements.

Homeopathic remedies can be an excellent choice for treating infant colic symptoms. Homeopathy uses small doses of natural substances and has a long track record of safe use in children. There is only one such liquid formula on the market. Colic Calm Gripe Water is available at leading pharmacies, online and in select health food stores and health practitioners’ offices. Many parents and caretakers have been relieved to find a remedy with natural active ingredients. The unique homeopathic formula works within minutes, so it is only given on an “as needed” basis. Thousands of satisfied customers have also reported that it works wonders for bloating, pressure, stomach cramps, hiccups, teething and even acid reflux. It is also extremely effective on gas created during introduction of new foods into babies’ delicate digestive tracts. A combination of homeopathic ingredients is used to treat the multiple symptoms of colic as depicted below.

Colic Treatments

Colic Calm is an over-the-counter homeopathic medicine and as such must be FDA listed, must be manufactured according to stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceuticals and the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS). All other gripe waters on the market are “dietary supplements”. As such, Good Manufacturing Practices are only voluntary and significantly less stringent if they are applied at all. Generally, the main ingredients of the other gripe waters brands include:

  • Sodium Bicarbonate (a.k.a. Baking Soda). Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali (antacid) which alters the naturally occurring pH of a baby’s stomach acid. It may counteract some discomfort caused by natural acidity in a baby’s tummy. However, stomach acid serves a useful purpose because it helps the body digest food and protects the gut from infections. Disrupting the stomach’s natural acidity has led to concerns about risk for infection and malabsorption of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, B12, and iron. For this reason, sodium bicarbonate-containing products are not to be consumed by “children under 5 years of age”, as stated clearly on antacid and baking soda boxes. Antacids always warn against extended use: “Do not use for more than 2 weeks.” According to some doctors, sodium bicarbonate can cause an imbalance in babies’ electrolytes, which can also lead to serious problems.Please note that antacids do interact with or prevent the absorption of many medications. According to Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, antacids (e.g. sodium bicarbonate) “should not be given to young children (up to 6 years of age) unless prescribed by their doctor.” Since children often cannot describe their symptoms well, doctor visits are advisable before giving any antacids to children. The condition may require other treatment. In such cases, not only will antacids not help, they may actually lead to unwanted side effects and/ or worsening of condition.Medline also warns against taking large doses of sodium bicarbonate with large amounts of milk or milk products. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
  • Essential Oils and extracts (dill oil, clove oil, fennel extract, ginger extract, etc) are used by all other gripe water brands. Fennel in particular (also contained in Colic Calm though not in essential oil form) has been shown effective in at least one clinical study. However, there are known safety issues with some herbal oils and extract preparations.

Conclusion

If you are sure your infant is suffering from colic, there are concrete steps you can take to relieve the symptoms of your colicky baby. Therapies include changing your baby’s environment and diet to direct internal treatment. As always, consult your pediatrician about the range of alternative treatments available. There are safe, natural and effective alternatives to pharmaceuticals and artificial chemicals. Homeopathy has been used for more than 200 years to safely treat a variety of nervous and digestive disorders including colic.

colic calm bottle

Remember that babies are just getting accustomed to this world and, as they grow older, their colic will eventually subside. Their digestive systems will learn how to function well. In the first three months of life, babies are not well-equipped to calm themselves. Self-calming is a skill that develops slowly over time and at different rates in children. Babies this young are not expected to self soothe, and you can’t spoil them by helping them soothe.

Red Flag Symptoms

Please remember this information is not a substitute for medical advice or medical care. Please consult your doctor if your child is having fever, diarrhea, vomiting, poor feeding, prolonged crying or any other symptoms that concern you.