Baby colic is a condition experienced by one out of every seven babies born. Other names it is known by are three month colic, infantile colic, infant colic and colic. It refers to recurring episodes of uncontrolled crying and irritability by infants from birth to four months old. For a baby to be considered colicky, crying spells would last three or more hours each day, occur three or more days per week for a minimum of three weeks.

Recognizing some symptoms can be challenging since babies cannot communicate what they are feeling. It has been generally accepted that one major cause of baby colic is trapped gas, which produces abdominal pain for babies. Signs that a baby may have colic include sleeplessness, irritability, clenched fists, arched back, knees pulled into chest and swinging arms.

Recent research has shown that fifty percent of colicky babies have mild acid reflux, possibly due to lactose intolerance. There may be a number of causes for colic but health experts believe that none of these causes act alone, but a combination of causes leads to baby colic. Most commonly accepted causes include maternal smoking, food allergies, medications taken by the mother, and the emotional health of parents and baby. Studies have shown that smokers, who smoke five or more cigarettes a day, have a fourteen percent higher risk of having a colicky baby than non smoking mothers. Babies have developing nervous systems which are sensitve and can become overloaded with too much commotion during the day, increasing the chances of colic symptoms in the evening.

Food allergies have been found to increase the risk of baby colic. This condition is more common in bottle fed babies than breast fed babies, but either feeding method can produce a colicky baby if the mother’s diet is high in colic producing foods. Babies who received meals through breast feeding or directly from food that avoided common allergen foods (eggs, wheat, pasteurized milk and nuts) decreased colic symptoms by thirty nine percent in less than eight days. Research also shows that avoiding formulas with cow or soy milk for one week decreased symptoms.

Cow’s milk, protein is particularly difficult for babies with developing intestines to digest, which causes painful gas, acid reflux and spitting up. Newborn babies have not yet developed the muscles needed to support proper digestion, nor have they cultivated adequate amounts of intestinal flora needed for more complex digestion. This gives convincing evidence as to why most infants outgrow colic within the first six months. Eliminating caffeine and gas producing foods such as beans, onions and cabbage can help eliminate symptoms of colic.

There are several natural remedies available for baby colic. Effective homeopathic remedies include carbo vegetabilis, which helps reduce gas in the intestine and eases burning in the stomach. Colocynthis, soothes nerves in the lower abdomen and helps with stabbing pain. Cuprum metallicum helps decrease spasms. These remedies should be given to the baby at the onset of a colicky episode. Infants usually respond within fifteen minutes, but if not, it is safe to re-administer the remedy a second or third time with fifteen minute intervals, if necessary.

These remedies are safe and have no risk of overdose or toxicity. Adding a probiotic such as lactobacillus reuteri has been found effective at aiding with lactose intolerance, excess gas and improving the overall health of the child. Probiotics occur naturally in breast milk, which may explain why breast fed babies are have a lesser rate of colic than bottle fed babies. Other popular remedies include belladonna, chamomile tea, and lycopodium. Always consult with your pediatrician before starting your baby on any remedies or medications.