Infant colic: what are the symptoms and how can it be relieved?
Is your baby crying intensely, especially in the evening, and seems inconsolable? Could it be the dreaded infant colic?
They are quite common, affecting approximately 20% of babies [1]. Although not serious, they are impressive and disconcerting for new parents who do not know how to soothe their newborn.
At Biostime , we explain everything about infant colic so you can experience it a little more calmly!
"Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for every infant; it is best suited to their specific needs. If using infant formula when the mother cannot or does not wish to breastfeed, it is essential to strictly follow the preparation and usage instructions and to consult a healthcare professional."
What is infant colic?
In general, colic is described as recurrent and regular crying spells in a baby. According to the Rome IV criteria, which define infant colic within the framework of functional bowel disorders [1], it is characterized by:
- An appearance and disappearance before the age of 5 months;
- Crying , restlessness and irritability over recurring and prolonged periods;
- No identified disease.
Infant colic can be alarming and frustrating for new parents, who often don't know how to soothe their baby. However, rest assured, these crying spells are harmless.
What are the causes of infant colic?
Infant colic remains an enigma in the world of pediatrics! Despite many years of research, the causes of colic are still poorly understood. The immaturity of the baby's digestive system is sometimes suggested, with the formation of their gut microbiota being a truly disruptive process [2]. Other hypotheses have been considered, including an intolerance to cow's milk protein [3]. But again, these are only suppositions!
What are the symptoms of infant colic?
- Your baby starts crying intensely and continuously;
- He folds his legs against his stomach, then stiffens them;
- He squirms, screams, and turns red;
- His stomach is hard, bloated, and he seems to have a lot of gas;
- He can't calm down. [4]
These symptoms usually occur at the same time of day, most often in the late afternoon and evening. Furthermore, a baby suffering from colic is generally healthy. However, we still advise you to consult your pediatrician to ensure that it is indeed just colic.
How can we relieve them?
While there is no specific treatment, here is what can be done to try and relieve your baby's discomfort.
- Sleep patterns, skin-to-skin contact, bath time, and your presence can help soothe your baby's cries. [5]
- Limit air intake during feeding, which can cause bloating. To do this, make sure the baby is properly latched onto the breast or that the bottle is tilted correctly. [5]
- Give him something to suck on: sucking is a real comfort during a colic attack. If the last feeding was recently, try offering him an alternative to the breast, such as a pacifier, to allow his digestive system to rest [5].
- If you bottle-feed your baby and the pain seems to stem from lactose intolerance, your pediatrician may advise you to switch to an anti-colic formula. Low in casein and lactose, anti-colic formula can have a positive impact for some babies. Using probiotic supplements can also help balance the gut flora.
- Improve your baby's digestive comfort. For mothers who cannot or do not wish to breastfeed, Biostime offers a goat's milk infant formula* , which can be an alternative to cow's milk infant formula. Why? Because it contains proteins that are less dense in the stomach, allowing for an efficient digestive process [6], and specific carbohydrates that nourish babies' gut microbiota. [7]
Share your stories!
The most valuable advice often comes from our own experience. Have you experienced colic with your baby? Did you find any tips to soothe them? How did you manage this period? Share your experience with us at contact@biostime.fr or by private message on Instagram @biostimefr.
*IMPORTANT NOTICE: Biostime SN-2 Bio Goat formulas are not suitable for those with allergies to cow's milk proteins.
- Benninga MA, Nurko S, et al. Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: neonate/toddler. Gastroenterology. 2016;150(6):1443-55.
- Verduci E, Arrizza C, Riva E, et al. Microbiota and infantile colic: what's new? Int J Probiotics Prebiotics. 2013; 8(1):25–2
- Sung V, Hiscock H, Tang M, et al. Probiotics to improve outcomes of colic in the community: protocol for the Baby Biotics randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatr. 2012 Aug 29;12:135.
- BIAGIOLI, E. and others. “Pain-relieving agents for infantile colic”, Cochrane Database of systematic Reviews 2016, no 9
- https://www.mpedia.fr/art-decoder-les-pleurs-et-coliques/
- van Leeuwen SS et al. J Agric Food Chem 2020; 68(47): 13469-13485
- Prosser CG et al. Journal of Food Science 2021; 86(2): 257-265
