Intestinal colic is a common gastrointestinal reaction in infants, which can be triggered by various factors such as external stimuli, hunger, digestive issues, constipation, food allergies, or swallowing air. Although this condition is short-lived and usually harmless, the baby may feel uncomfortable.
Infants may exhibit various forms of pain: the pain occurs approximately every ten minutes, lasts for three to four minutes, and recurs; the location of the abdominal pain is not fixed, the abdomen may appear slightly bloated but soft; crying for no apparent reason is frequent, especially in the first three weeks of life, at least three days per week, lasting for at least three weeks; flushed face, legs bent, but no signs of fever or vomiting; when in pain, the baby may be agitated and difficult to soothe, but in pain-free periods, they are cheerful and have a normal appetite.
Relief measures include:
After calming the crying baby, gently hold them upright and provide warm water. Warm hands can softly massage the abdomen, or use a moderately warm water bottle (cover with a dry towel to prevent burns) to help release gas, which usually effectively alleviates the symptoms.
Control the amount and speed of breastfeeding to prevent the baby from swallowing air due to suckling too fast. When bottle-feeding, choose a bottle with an appropriate nipple size.
Avoid giving the baby cold drinks or exposing their abdomen to cold. Breastfeeding mothers should also reduce intake of gas-producing foods, such as broccoli, cabbage, beans, tomatoes, nuts, and peanut butter.
If the baby’s symptoms are severe and home remedies are ineffective, seek medical attention promptly to rule out other potential causes and follow professional medical advice for proper treatment, and do not self-medicate.
When faced with intestinal colic, parents should remain calm and avoid blindly adopting unverified treatment methods. Before considering any medication intervention, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to ensure safety and efficacy.
