The first few months of a baby’s life are a magical time, but also often a source of worry for young parents. And one of the most common causes of unexplained crying is baby colic. If you’re here, it’s probably because your baby is crying, squirming and in pain, with no obvious cause in sight. Don’t panic, you’re far from alone.
A simple definition of baby colic
In general, colic is abdominal pain of digestive origin, often linked to spasms. Infant colic is a transient condition that generally occurs between the 2nd and 3rd week of life, and disappears naturally between 3 and 6 months. Colic is thought to affect around 25% of babies, whether breast-fed or bottle-fed.
These episodes can be very impressive, but in the vast majority of cases they are not serious. They are not an illness, but rather a temporary digestive imbalance, typical of this period of adaptation to life outside the womb.
What do the symptoms look like?
The baby seems perfectly calm and soothed after a feed or bottle, then suddenly starts to cry intensely, often in the late afternoon or early night. He squirms, bends his legs towards his tummy, turns red, and his tummy may appear hard and bloated. The crying sometimes lasts for several hours, and nothing seems to be able to calm the child. Sometimes gas or faeces will temporarily relieve the baby.
This is where the difficulty lies for parents: understanding that this crying is “normal”, that it is not due to serious suffering, but to an immature digestive system that is still developing.
Why do babies suffer from colic?
The true cause of colic in babies is still poorly understood. Several possible causes are being investigated:
- Immaturity of the digestive system, which struggles to cope with milk absorption.
- Aerophagia (swallowing air), especially if the baby sucks quickly or cries a lot.
- Reactions to certain components of breast or infant milk.
- An imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, which has been building up since birth
- Emotional hypersensitivity or a need for reassurance.
But despite these hypotheses, there is as yet no clear medical consensus on a single cause. What is certain is that colic disappears on its own, as suddenly as it appeared.
When should you be concerned?
Although benign in the majority of cases, there are certain situations that should prompt you to consult a paediatrician:
- Incessant, inconsolable crying, day and night.
- Refusal to eat.
- Fever or vomiting.
- Weight loss or stagnation.
- Blood in the stools.
If in doubt, it’s best to consult a doctor to rule out other, more serious causes such as allergy or food intolerance.
Conclusion: Patience, love… and a little help!
Colic is a difficult but temporary period. It puts parents’ nerves and patience to the test, but it only lasts for a while. What your baby needs most during these periods is comfort, warmth, closeness and calm.
In the following articles, we’ll look at natural solutions, such as homeopathy and massage, that can soothe your baby and help you get through this phase with greater serenity.
