Colic in infants

Alternative names:

infantile colic

Treatment:

There are no specific measures to treat colic, however, the following suggestions may be of benefit to alleviate pain and to calm an irritable infant.

Keeping the baby in a slight head-up position may help. Wood blocks may be used to raise the head of the baby's crib. Avoid overstimulating the baby; an overattended baby may not get sufficient sleep. An active baby may respond to being swaddled in a blanket.

If a bottle feeding takes less than 20 minutes, the hole in the nipple may be too large. Avoid overfeeding the infant or feeding too quickly. A pacifier may calm an infant with a strong sucking need who fusses soon after a feeding. Many babies quiet while riding in the car, or to the sound of a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer.

Apply warmth to the abdomen with a hot water bottle wrapped on a soft cloth. Rhythmic movement such as walking or rocking may soothe the baby.

Parents should avoid fatigue and exhaustion and should be encouraged to get a break from the infant by having a friend, grandparent, or baby sitter stay with the infant on occasion. Occasionally a physician may recommend medications. A large variety of medications have been tried ranging from paragoric, smooth muscle relaxants, antacids, anti-gas agents, mild sedatives and antihistamines. Nothing has been demonstrated to be consitantly successful. Parents should not give infants less than six months medications for colic without consulting their physician.

Expectations (prognosis):

Colic is a benign condition that the baby usually outgrows at three to four months of age. Excessive crying is not harmful to the baby.

Complications:

There are usually none.

Calling your health care provider:

Apply home treatment. Call your health care provider if you have concerns. The most important concern is not to misdiagnose a serious condition and call it colic. If you baby's behavior or crying pattern suddenly changes or if the crying is associated with fever, forceful vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools or other abnormal findings, call you physician immediately.