Acute crying, intestinal disorders, intense need to suck, flatulence and abdominal distension: Here are the most common symptoms of colic in infants. 15% to 30% of infants suffer from colic. Although no one knows the exact causes, there are natural solutions that provide quick relief to suffering babies. For your peace of mind and for the welfare of your infant, here are a few tips to help prevent colic in babies.
Breastfeeding
In general, breastfed babies are less likely to have colic than those fed with formula. Some infants may
nevertheless be intolerant to milk. In this case, the problem subsides when the mother abstains from eating certain foods. Sometime avoiding caffeine, garlic, legumes, food spicy and dairy products should can reduce the symptoms of your little one. According to several studies, the protein in cow’s milk is particularly irritating to newborn.2
Babies who do not properly latch on during breastfeeding can swallow excessive air, which in turn causes painful gas after feedings. If your baby nurses fitfully, or pulls at the breast without getting much milk, you may need to help your baby to latch on properly. A baby who has breastfeeding colic may also need to be burped more often after feedings, just to minimize any potential gas later in the evening.
Formula
If you feed your baby formula, you should choose a hypoallergenic formula that does not contain bovine protein. You might want to look for a goat milk base formula. Nutrient content of goat milk is slightly less than cow milk but goat milk is more digestible because the fat molecules are one-fifth the size of those from cow milk — making it easily tolerated by those with compromised digestive systems.
When using a bottle, make sure you choose one specifically designed to prevent formation of air bubbles. Your baby should be sitting, slightly inclined, to avoid swallowing air and spitting up during the feeding.
Massage
Massage can help babies having a regular sleep cycle. Studies have shown that babies who are massaged 30 minutes before bedtime produce more melatonin (hormone associated with regular sleep cycle).3 The massage helps the infant to coordinate the development of its circadian rhythm (which
manages the sleep-wake cycle) with environmental factors.
Adjustments
To understand the functioning of the digestive tract (stomach, intestine small and large intestine) you should know that
these organs are controlled by the brain. When a brain cell sends a message to the digestive tract, a function is performed based on the command sent. After the digestive tract performs the requested function, it sends a message back to the brain cell to inform it of the action taken. Any disruption of this cycle results in malfunction. The nerve roots of the 6th to the 9th dorsal vertebra control the sympathetic nervous system of the stomach.
A Chiropractic study of infantile colic of 316 children suffering from this problem, published positive results in a percentage of 94% of cases.4.Abnormal spinal function called vertebral subluxation complex were identified in all these cases in the dorsal region (D-4 to D-9) and in the upper cervical region (C-1 & C-2).
Note that the spine of a newborn at birth is subject to an important biomechanical stress. This event may, in itself, create instabilities or damage to the spinal nerves and produce malfunction in different tissues and organs.
Even with all these tips, it is important to remember that it is difficult to take care of a baby suffering from colic, but they are not hazardous to their health. During the first months you and your baby, you will gradually discover and learn to live together. Know to live and enjoy each moment.
1, Archives of Disease in Childhood 2000; 83:262-263.
2.Pediatric 2, 1989, 83: 262-266.
3. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2002; 23:401-415.
4. Klougart N, Nilsson N, Jacobsen J. Infantile colic Treated by chiropractors: a prospective
Study of 316 case. J Manipulative Physiol withThermaflo 1989, 12 :281-288.
