Colic

Colic is defined as repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying for at least 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks duration.¹

Colic can affect between 5 and 20% of babies. It typically starts in the first weeks of life and tends to resolve by 3-4 months.²

Signs and Symptoms

Uncontrollable and persistent crying in an otherwise healthy baby, usually in the late afternoon and evening.
A flushed face.
Legs being drawn up towards the tummy.
Wind.
Difficulty in passing stools.

Colic can be very distressing to both babies and parents. Although colic is not fully understood, it is thought to be associated with temporary lactose intolerance.

Lactose is broken down into glucose and galactose by the enzyme lactase in the small intestine.

If there is a reduction in the amount of lactase produced, this could cause lactose to pass through the small intestine undigested, which could cause pain and discomfort.

Tips for Parents

There are many different techniques parents can try to help soothe their baby. If one doesn’t work, encourage them to try another, or try again on another day. Every baby is different and what suits one may not suit another.

Exclude common causes of crying.
Change how they hold their baby when they feed.
If breast feeding, suggest mum monitors what she eats.
Give lots of cuddles.
Try distracting the baby – ideas include playing gentle music, rocking the pushchair or carry seat, or even taking their baby for a drive in the car.
Check if their baby is hungry or thirsty.

Useful support

To help parents, one of the series of booklets produced by SMA Nutrition, entitled ‘What you really need to know about colic’, deals with this subject in more depth.

You may also wish to direct parents to:

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
Tel: 0870 444 8707
(9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)

CRY-SIS
Tel: 020 7404 5011
(9am-10pm, seven days a week)

Cuidiu Irish Childbirth Trust
Tel: 018724501
(Voluntary service)

Parent Line (Ireland)
Tel: 01890 927277
(Monday-Thursday 10am-9.30pm and Friday 10am-4.30pm)

References:
1. Garrison MM, Christakis DA. A systematic review of treatments for infant colic. Pediatrics2000; 106: 184-190.

2. Lucassen, P.L., Assendelft, W.J., Gubbels, J.W. and van Geldrop, W.J. (2001) Systematic review of the occurrence of infantile colic in the community. Archives of Disease in Childhood 84(5), 398-403.

This information is intended for use only by residents of the UK and ROI