Colic is a common medical condition in healthy and well-fed infants and characterized by
episodes of unexplained bouts of crying for more than 3 hours per day, for more than 3 days per week, and for more than 3 weeks. It affects 16 – 26% of infants and the episodes usually appear in the late afternoon or evening.
Being common in first born children, colic occurs within the first month of life, reaches to peak at about age 6 weeks and spontaneously resolves by age 4 months.
The exact cause of colic is unknown.
Potential contributing factors:
- Lactose intolerance.
- Allergy to infant formula.
- Constipation.
- Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).
- Allergy to cow`s milk.
- Infantile migraine.
- Parental factors.
Nutritional Supports:
Restricted Foods for Breast – Feeding Mothers:
- Gluten-containing foods: wheat, rye, barley, couscous, spelt, kamut, semolina, triticale, and oats.
- Gas-forming foods: legumes, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Dairy products, especially cow`s milk.
- Sugar.
- Excessive salt.
- Spicy foods.
- Nuts.
- Eggs.
- Strawberries.
- Eggplants.
- Citrus fruits.
- Garlic.
- Onion.
- Black pepper.
- Caffeinated drinks.
- Carbonated beverages.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Chcolate.
- Coffee.
- Tea.
Recommended Foods for Breast – Feeding Mothers:
- Water: at least 2 liters a day.
- Gluten-free grains.
- Fresh fruits.
- Cooked vegetables.
- Lean proteins: fish, turkey and chicken.
- Chamomile tea.
- Ginger.
- Peppermint.
- Fennel.
- Dill.
- Anise.
Recommended Supplements:
For Infant:
- Gripe Water: as instructed on the label. There are different products of Gripe water (Gripe mixture) in the market, and it is usually a blend of chamomile, fennel, caraway, peppermint, ginger, aloe, lemon balm, and blackthorn. It calms the baby and reduces colic.
- Fennel: 3 to 5 drops of fennel tea or tincture up to three times a day. The key ingredient in fennel is the terpeniod anethole, which has a carminative effect.
- Probiotics: as instructed on the label.
For Mother:
- Probiotics: a product with 5 – 10 billion organisms per serving.
- Digestive Enzymes: A full spectrum product.
- Chamomile: as pill, 300 – 400 mg three times a day, as tincture, 3 – 5 ml three times a day. It is usually considered to be safe during breast-feeding.
