Natural Cures For Colic

If your healthy, well-fed baby is crying more than three hours a day, three days a week, and for more than three weeks – you’re one of the many unlucky parents who has a colicky baby on their hands. Fortunately, the condition doesn’t last forever and goes away on its own with symptoms ending within weeks to months. To treat persistent discomfort and ease symptoms, it’s OK to consider natural cures of colic.

What is Colic?

Often developing between the ages of zero to six months, some babies face a distressing condition known as colic – a spasm of the gut that causes cramping pain to attack the abdomen region [1]. Affecting as many as 25% of all babies, keep in mind that symptoms usually improve when a baby is three months old.

Causes and Symptoms

While many different theories and factors play a role in colic, no known cause exists. Doctors have taken a look at feeding styles, lactose intolerance, the digestive system, allergies, and maternal anxiety. No one really knows why some babies develop colic symptoms and others do not. A colicky baby shows glaring signs of discomfort, including a flushed face, constant discomfort, ear piercing crying, and pulling their legs up – his or her attempt to ease stomach pain. Common red flags associated with colic include:

• Predictable Crying Episodes: Lasting from a couple of minutes to three hours, colicky babies tend to cry about the same time each day.

• Changes in Posture: During a colicky fit, babies may curl their legs up, clench fists, and exhibit tensed abdominal muscles.

• Intense Crying – Often high pitched and inconsolable, colicky babies seem impossible to comfort.

Colic Natural Cures

In most cases, the worst fits of colic generally surface between the ages of six and eight weeks of age [2]. Some parents have found natural cures for colic to provide a more relaxing environment for babies fighting symptoms. A couple of suggestions include:

a) Lavender Oil:

Treat your baby to a warm bath with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil added to the water – an herb known to encourage relaxation.

b) Slippery Elm:

Combine one teaspoon of slippery elm powder with enough hot water to create a paste. Add cool or warm water to create a soothing infusion sweetened with cinnamon, honey or maple syrup. Administer 50 grams of powder as a dose throughout the day to babies six months or older.

c) Warm Bath Massage:

Use massage to relieve trapped gas in the stomach region that’s most likely plaguing an uncomfortable colicky baby. Enhance massage techniques for babies by using aromatherapy massage oil that delivers a calming scent, such as lavender, chamomile or fennel.

d) Ginger:

Mix ¼ level teaspoon of ginger powder with ½ cup of hot water to treat colic symptoms. Administer to a baby (six months or older) one to two times per day. Breastfeeding mothers can take this remedy to treat infants under six months old.

e) Test Out the Milk Theory:

An array of specialists in the childcare field believe that cow’s milk transmitted from mother to infant through breast milk plays a role in a baby suffering colicky symptoms. Some medical professionals suggest testing out a diet free of cow’s milk to see if any changes arise.

f) Soy:

Colicky babies sometimes respond for the best when their mothers make a switch to soy products.

g) Avoid Certain Foods:

Every baby is different, but certain foods have the potential to trigger a colicky reaction when breastfeeding mothers pass traces of what they eat onto their baby, especially caffeine-containing beverages, chocolate, spicy foods, strawberries, and oranges.

h) Anise or Fennel Seeds:

Create an infusion by adding one level teaspoon of anise or fennel seeds to one cup of water. Give up to two cups per day to infants six months or older. Breastfeeding mothers of babies aged less than six months can take the infusion.

i) Basil:

Tap into the antispasmodic and sedative properties of eugenol, which is found in the aromatic herb best known for flavoring Italian pasta sauces. Add one teaspoon of dried basil leaves to a cup and fill with boiling hot water. Cover the blend and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and while warm or at room temperature, administer to your infant using a bottle. A nursing mother may also drink basil tea to pass onto her colicky baby.

j) German Chamomile:

Create an infusion by adding one level teaspoon of German chamomile to one cup of water. Breastfeeding mothers can take up to three cups per day or give to infants older than six months old.

k) Mint:

Possessing antispasmodic properties, mint can help decrease intestinal spasms in colicky infants. Add one teaspoon of dried mint to a cup filled with boiling water. Steep the herb for 10 minutes, followed by a good straining. Place the minty solution in a baby bottle and feed to your child while it’s still warm. Nursing mothers should also drink the mint tea.

Resources

[1] The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevallier; pg 318.
[2] http://children.webmd.com/tc/colic-overview