When a baby experiences intestinal colic during the postpartum period, they may show signs of continuous crying and restlessness. This is because they are unable to directly express the feeling of abdominal pain. Apart from crying, they may also exhibit symptoms of indigestion such as nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. In certain cases, the child may become lethargic, which could be a result of the progression of the condition.
Faced with sudden intestinal colic, babies often curl their lower limbs and have a painful abdomen. In terms of management, it mainly relies on symptomatic treatment, including local heat application and gentle massage to alleviate discomfort. This condition typically begins in infants around one and a half to two months old and is characterized by unexplained crying that is difficult to soothe through conventional means.
In contrast, intestinal bloating brings about a continuous sense of abdominal distention, occasionally accompanied by pain. The abdomen may appear bloated, and sounds of gas movement within the intestines can be heard. It is associated with improper diet, slow intestinal motility, or intestinal blockage. The location of the pain is not fixed, and relief can be obtained after passing gas. Intestinal colic can be categorized into functional disorders and severe organic problems, such as intense pain caused by intestinal torsion or intestinal ischemia.
Regarding the duration of infantile colic, in most cases, despite the intense crying, the pain does not persist for a long time. If intestinal colic lasts for an extended period, seeking medical attention is necessary as it may be related to factors such as exposure to cold, diarrhea, or indigestion. If caused by cold exposure, maintaining warmth and applying a warm towel to the abdomen may provide some relief. Intestinal colic, also known as colicky pain, is common in infants aged 3 to 4 months, possibly triggered by the relatively large activity space of their intestines in the abdominal cavity, cold exposure, or milk allergies.
