children s health issues
Colic
Treatment of Colic
Once the infant has been examined by the doctor and parents have been reassured that the infant is healthy, that the irritability is not due to poor parenting, and that colic will resolve on its own with no long-term effects, some general measures may help: Holding, gentle rocking, or patting Rocking in an infant swing Listening to white noise, such as the sound of rain or the electronically produced sounds made by a fan, washing machine, vacuum, or hair dryer Listening to music Riding in a car Sucking on a pacifier Being burped Being fed (but parents should avoid overfeeding in an attempt to stop the crying) Being snugly wrapped (swaddled) When the cause of the crying is fatigue, many of the above interventions only briefly console infants and the crying returns as soon as the stimulation or activity stops, leaving infants even more fatigued. Sometimes it is more effective to encourage self-soothing and sleep by routinely laying infants in their crib awake so they do not depend on their parents or certain motions, objects, or sounds to fall asleep. Parents may change Formula Feeding for a short time to determine whether infants have a specific formula intolerance. However, a dairy or food intolerance is rarely a cause of colic symptoms unless other symptoms, such as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or poor weight gain, also are present. Frequently switching formulas should be avoided unless directed by a doctor. Mothers who are Breastfeeding may notice that after they eat certain foods, such as dairy or broccoli or cabbage, their infant cries after nursing. Mothers should try to remove those foods from their diet to see whether the infant’s crying decreases. Coping with excessive crying can be difficult for parents. Talking with a doctor can help. The doctor can provide strategies, reassurance, and support for parents experiencing the stress of excessive crying. 