Causes

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 actions & behaviors commonly associated with colic 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-related behaviors disappeared following a bowel movement or passing gas.

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

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

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.

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.

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, cure, prevent or mitigate the underlying cause of TLD or any other disease.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 P.pentosaceus, may help to reduce colic symptoms if performed consistently over a period of several weeks. Use of Colic Calm as needed should help to 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.