Colic in babies | What are they, causes, symptoms, what to do

Welcome to Newborn Tips, your reference point for dealing with the challenges of your baby’s first months of life. In today’s article, we’ll talk about infant colic, a common disorder that can put both babies and their parents to the test.

Today, we’ll discover together what colic is in a newborn, what the triggers can be, the symptoms to recognize and, above all, the most effective remedies to alleviate your baby’s discomfort. Read on to find useful and practical advice!

Table of contents

What is infant colic?

As such, infant colic is a very common disorder in the first months of a baby’s life, characterized by episodes of intense and inconsolable crying, often without an apparent cause.

Even more so, this phenomenon can manifest itself as early as the second or third week of life and tends to disappear spontaneously around the third or fourth month.

According to the rule of 3 (described by pediatrician Wessel), we speak of colic when the crying:

Lasts more than 3 hours a day
Occurs for at least 3 days a week
Persists for at least 3 weeks

Although it is a temporary and benign disorder, it can be a source of great stress for parents, as the crying is often difficult to calm down.

Causes of colic in infants

Unfortunately, the causes of colic in infants are not yet fully understood, but several factors can contribute to their development, let’s see which ones:

Immaturity of the digestive system: the infant’s intestine is still developing and may have difficulty managing digestion.
Accumulation of intestinal gas: swallowing air during feeding or crying can cause bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Sensitivity to certain foods: in breastfed infants, some foods consumed by the mother may have an effect; in formula-fed infants, there may be a sensitivity to the type of milk.
Imbalance of the intestinal microbiota: a suboptimal development of the intestinal bacterial flora can contribute to discomfort.
Emotional and environmental factors: little ones perceive the stress of their parents and changes in the environment, which can affect their general well-being.
Overstimulation: Babies may feel overwhelmed by sounds, lights and new experiences, reacting with prolonged crying.

Symptoms of newborn colic

So the symptoms of colic in newborns manifest themselves mainly as indicated in the following lines:

Inconsolable and intense crying, often described as high-pitched or shrill
Irritability and difficulty calming down, even with physical contact
Flushing of the face during crying
Restless movements, such as legs pulled towards the abdomen, clenched fists and a stiff body
Hard and swollen belly, with the presence of gas

Generally, the episodes occur in the late afternoon or evening and resolve spontaneously after a few hours.

However, if the crying is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, persistent vomiting, poor appetite or changes in stool, it is important to consult your pediatrician immediately to rule out other more serious conditions.

In addition, it is important to note that despite the intense crying, the baby continues to grow normally, eats and sleeps regularly between episodes.

How to calm a baby with colic?

Although colic can be stressful, there are several strategies to relieve the baby’s discomfort:

Cuddles and physical contact: holding the baby in your arms, upright or gently rocking him can have a calming effect.
Movement: rocking, taking a stroller for a walk or carrying the baby in a sling can reduce colic crying.
Abdominal massage: gently massaging the baby’s belly in a clockwise direction helps to promote the elimination of gas.
Tummy time: briefly lying on his stomach (under supervision) can reduce abdominal tension.
Warm bath: a warm bath can relax the little one and ease the pain.
Pay attention to nutrition: If the baby is breastfed, the mother can try to monitor her diet to identify any trigger foods. In formula-fed babies, it may be helpful to consult the pediatrician to evaluate any changes in milk.

How many hours does infant colic last?

It usually begins around the second or third week of life, peaks around the sixth week, and tends to resolve spontaneously around the third or fourth month.

Although it may seem endless, remember that colic is a transitory phase and does not indicate a serious health problem. With time and the right support, the infant will overcome this period and excessive crying will become just a memory.

Clarification: If you have any doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to talk to your pediatrician, who can provide further advice and reassurance.

Colic techniques for babies

In particular, baby colic can be quite stressful for parents, but some positioning techniques can help reduce the discomfort of the newborn.

By the way, the way in which he is held, rocked or positioned can make a big difference in calming a crying newborn and promoting the elimination of intestinal gas.

Anti-colic position for newborns

Below we explain some of the most effective anti-colic positions for newborns to relieve this phenomenon.

“Tummy time” position (Tummy Time with support):

Gently place the baby on his stomach on your forearm, with his head slightly higher than his body and his legs hanging at the sides. You can also have him lie on your stomach or chest

Much more, this anti-colic position for newborns helps reduce abdominal pressure and promotes the elimination of gas.

Vertical position (in your arms or in a sling):

Hold the newborn in an upright position, resting on your chest or on your shoulder. You can use a baby sling for greater comfort

Doing so helps with digestion and also reduces the risk of gas accumulation in the stomach.

“Frog” or “M-shape” position:

Keep the baby with his legs bent towards the abdomen, as if he were still in the fetal position

Considering the benefits of this position, which has been shown to be effective in helping to release gas and reduce abdominal pain.

Lying on the side (under supervision):

Position the baby on his left side with the support of a rolled towel behind his back to keep him stable

In this way the position becomes useful in facilitating digestion and reducing reflux.

But even more importantly: Never leave the little one unattended in these anti-colic positions, especially if he is not lying on his back, which remains the safest position for sleeping.

Exercises for newborn colic

In addition to the positions listed above, some simple exercises can help reduce colic in newborns by promoting the release of gas, below we will see what they are.

Bicycle with legs:

Put the baby lying on his back and gently move his legs as if he were pedaling a bicycle

Benefits: helps stimulate intestinal transit and reduce the accumulation of gas.

Bend-sprain of the knees:

Gently bend the knees of the newborn towards the chest, hold them in this position for a few seconds and then release.

Repeat the exercise several times

Benefits: reduces abdominal tension and promotes the elimination of gas.

Abdominal massage:

Make gentle circular movements with your hand on the newborn’s abdomen in a clockwise direction (following the direction of the intestine)

In this way the movement stimulates digestion and helps reduce swelling.

Gentle stretching:

Gently stretch your baby’s arms above his head and then bring them back down to his sides

This relaxes the body and can reduce muscle tension related to colic discomfort.

Helpful tips for relieving colic

Quiet environment: reduce excessive stimuli such as lights or loud noises
White noise: constant and gentle sounds (such as a hair dryer or the noise of a vacuum cleaner on low intensity) can calm the newborn
Warm bath: helps relax the muscles and reduce abdominal discomfort

To recap, this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor. If you have any doubts or concerns about your baby’s health or if newborn colic persists and especially if the child shows worrying symptoms such as fever, vomiting, lethargy or changes in stool, consult your pediatrician immediately.

Newborn Tips, The Editorial Staff